By Bud L. Ellis
Since Kendry Morales broke his leg in the infamous celebration following a walkoff grand slam in May, the Los Angeles Angels have been looking for power at first base.
They thought they had found it in Derrek Lee, until the veteran Chicago Cubs’ slugger invoked his 10-and-5 rights. (Read More…)
Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 4:18 am by bud
Tags: Chicago Cubs, Derrek Lee, Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels news, Los Angeles Angels schedule, Los Angeles Angels tickets, Oakland A’s, Texas Rangers
By Bud L. Ellis
The ups and downed evened out for the Los Angeles Angels in the first month of the season.
Twenty-four games in the books, and the Angels sat at 12-12 on the season, dead even. But the path there was anything but even in slope.
Los Angeles, the defending AL West champion, found itself at 3-7 on the season after a loss to New York on April 15. That tough start included a four-game losing streak after a victory over the Twins on opening day.
But after a tough first 10 games, the Angels found their stride. A three-game sweep at Toronto and two wins against Detroit at home resulted in a five-game winning streak that put Los Angeles above .500 at 8-7.
Jered Weaver’s strong pitching paced the Angels in April, Weaver going 3-0 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts. Offensively, Kendry Morales led the regulars with a .315 average, six home runs and 16 RBIs.
Los Angeles started May on a down note, losing 3-2 at Detroit.
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Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 8:47 am by bud
Tags: Detroit Tigers, Jered Weaver, Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s
The Los Angeles Angels handed the New York Yankees their first series loss of the season, getting a three-run homer from Kendry Morales with two outs in the seventh to break open the game in an 8-4 win.
Morales hit the game-changing bomb after being given the green light on a 3-0 count against Demaso Marte. But it was manager Joe Girardi who really gave the Angels first baseman the chance. The Yankees skipper initially called for an intentional walk of Morales, but changed his mind after one pitch and Morales made him pay.
Morales finished 3-for-3 with 3 RBI and two runs scored. Bobby Abreu also homered and went 2 for 4.
On a less positive note, though, starting pitcher Scott Kazmir struggled again. He walked four batters and gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings, and his ERA now stands at 7.20 on the season.
Kazmir also served up two home runs, to Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada.
Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 9:16 pm by Raj Sethi
