So much for that offensive progress, eh?

The Angels put on a clinic today in how horrible situational hitting.  Despite facing the infamous Vin Mazzaro, the Angels managed to hit into five doubleplays in the first six innings.

Good gravy.

Royals 9, Angels 0

There was certainly some bad luck involved in some of those GIDPs, but five doubleplays is still five doubleplays.  After a game like this, one can't help but point the finger at hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.  I've tried deflecting blame away from him before, but there is no avoiding it now.  This kind of ineptitude with runners on base has become a systemic problem and I don't see it is going to change in the current atmosphere.

Maybe a new voice can't do anything to change the hitters' approach, but what do the Angels have to lose at this point?

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Kansas City Royals (28-37) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (31-35)

Pitching Probables: KC – Vin Mazzaro (0-1, 17.47 ERA)  LAA – Tyler Chatwood (3-3, 3.79 ERA)

Game Info: 12:35 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

It is amazing what one little win can do.  The losing streak is over, the Angels have lit up the Halo once again and today just feels like a brand new day.  Well, technically, every day is a brand new day, but I mean it in the metaphorical sense.

For the first time in a week, the Halos and their followers actually have a little something to feel good about.  Nobody is exactly planning a championship parade or anything, but every little bit of positive mojo counts, especially when the team is so clearly frustrated and in dire need of a morale boost.  But all those good feeling could slip away if the offense falls flat on its face again and, well, we can't exactly rule that possibility out.  But it also isn't as entirely likely as it seemed in the past.

Today, the fresh memory of seven runs and win will make everyone a little looser. Their shoulders will hang a little lower.  Their grips on the bats will be a litte less tight.  Their demeanors a little more upbeat.  It may only last a day, but it might also be the first day of the Angels' climb back into contention.

A Win!! A Win!! The Angels got all the breaks a finally got a win. The old saying is that it's better to be lucky than good and tonight that saying was very appropriate. The Royals gave LA every chance to win and the Angels finally hit enough to put one in the win column. The Royals committed two errors, threw to wild pitches leading to the eventual winning run, and had a runner thrown out at home byu about 30 feet. If that's what its going to take to get wins then so be it. I can't stop typing win. It just looks so glorious. Win, Win, Win...

Angels 7 Royals 5

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Kansas City Royals (28-36) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (30-35)
 
Pitching   Probables: KC -- Felipe Paulino (0-4, 3.82 ERA)  LAA – Joel Pineiro (2-3, 3.76 ERA)

                                        Game   Info: 6:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

I have chosen to look on the bright side of things. Today is a new day. The sun is shining. The birds are chirping and today is the day the Angels turn it around. There is no way that Joel Pineiro is going to let another chance to get his 100th career win go by. I am supremely confident and 100% supportive of the Angels tonight. Yes sir, you will not get once ounce of negativity out me tonight. Tonight, in the immortal words of the poet Taio Cruz, the Angels will be "Dynamite". (okay so maybe that was a bit much...)
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I briefly fell asleep at least three times during last night's game. Not good quality REM sleep mind you, merely the nodding off I used to do alot in Algebra 2 class during high school. The reason for this sort of restfulness was the security I had in knowing the Angels were merely executing the exact same game plan they have been for a week now. Fall behind early, fail to get the necessary big hit at a key moment, and get shut down by some no name pitcher with a below .500 record. So take heart, I got a really good night sleep...

Angels 2 Royals 4 

                                                                         Game   Info: 7:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM


I have this sinking feelng in the pit of my stomach that things are not going to get any better. Something dark and foreboding is happening in the land of the Halo and right now and I can't seem to see the bottom of the pit. The Angels can't score runs and it seems that the defense is starting to fail them on a nightly basis. The bullpen has been a travesty and lord help up if the starters give up more than two runs. If the Angels don't turn this around and quickly we might be stareing at a very long summer. Not that I am a pessimist or anything...

Good news, Angel fans!  I've finally found an offense more unclutch and pathetic than the Halos' offense!!!

I thought it was an impossible task to unearth something even more inept than the Angels' batting order, but lo and behold I turned on the NBA Finals and... BINGO!  I never imagined that I would have to watch another sport to find even worse execution in the clutch, but sure enough, there were the Miami Heat bricking shot after shot, running unimaginative plays and seeming generally frightened of the ball in the final minutes of the game.

Heck, the Heat even have a ring leader of their awfulness.  Much like Torii Hunter sets the standard for sucking for the Halos with all of his untimely GIDPs, LeBron James hamstrings the Miami offense by hiding from the ball down the stretch and launching long two-point jumpers instead of attacking the rim in the rare instance that the ball does actually find its way over to him cowering in the corner.

Thanks, LeBron.  I don't feel so bad now, especially since you and the rest of the Heat somehow managed to make it this far despite such glaring deficiencies.  I think I might just go ahead and buy my World Series tickets now.

Hey, I think I've seen that look before.  I bet you if he lowered the jersey a little we would all see... THE SCIOSCIA FACE!!!