The Los Angeles Angels have been pouring on the runs as of late. Before tonight’s game, they had scored 41 runs in four games, but only managed to win two of those. Tonight, they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2, bringing their run total over the last five games to 48.
Smyly continues to struggle, Angels take advantage
Drew Smyly has struggled this season with the Tampa Bay Rays. In 16 starts before tonight’s meeting with the Angels, Smyly’s Earned Run Average is up to 5.33, allowing 60 total runs with 57 of those being earned.
It took two full innings before Smyly’s night began to unfold. The first three Angels to bat in the top of the third reached base on singles - Jett Bandy, Andrelton Simmons and Yunel Escobar. Then, Kole Calhoun walked on six pitches to bring in Bandy from third, giving the Angels a 1-0 lead.
Mike Trout grounded into a forceout at second base. As the Rays attempted to turn a double play, however, Nick Franklin threw the ball into the stands. The throwing error from the second baseman allowed Simmons and Escobar to score, making it 3-0. After Trout stole third, Albert Pujols hit a fly ball deep enough to left field that brought Trout home.
The Angels’ offensive explosion continued in the top half of the fourth. Jefry Marte made it to first safely after his hit bounced off of Evan Longoria. Johnny Giavotella got his first hit of the night which allowed Marte to get into scoring position. Two sacrifices later, from Bandy and Simmons, brought Marte in to score. Yunel Escobar followed suit with a double into the left-center field gap to make it 6-0.
For the 18th time this season, Mike Trout hit a ball over the outfield wall. This time, Trout connected on a cutter left over the middle of the plate. Following the home run by Trout, Smyly walked Albert Pujols, gave up a ground-rule double to C.J. Cron and gave up a free pass to Marte. That walk to Marte ended Smyly’s night after allowing eight hits, seven runs (four earned), three walks and zero strikeouts. It’s only a matter of time before Smyly is removed from the rotation with his record now at 2-10 on the year.
Weaver pitches gem
Meanwhile, Jered Weaver was dealing. He pitched six stellar innings, striking out five, walking one, while giving up only one earned run. That lone run came in Weaver’s final inning of work. Logan Forsythe blasted the second pitch he saw into the bleachers to give the Rays their first run of the night.
Tampa Bay managed only one more run in the game and that came in the bottom of the eighth. Longoria reached based with a single to center field. Then, Logan Morrison continued things by slapping a double into right. Jhoulys Chacin proceeded to throw a wild pitch allowing Longoria to scamper home safely.
Coming up
The Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays will wrap the four-game series up on Thursday afternoon. Hector Santiago will face off against Blake Snell with first pitch scheduled for 12:10 PM EST.