Well, that sucked.  I really don't know how else to sum it up.  I'm just glad that the interminable beating Oakland laid down on the Halos tonight is finally over.

Athletics 14, Angels 0

In all seriousness, I'm not all that upset about tonight's clobbering.  Yes, it was embarrassing.  Yes, the offense was pathetic.  Yes, Chatwood was lousy.  Yes, the bullpen still stinks.  But you know what?  Nights like these happen to every team a few times per year and tonight it was the Angels' turn.

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Los Angeles Angels Anaheim (22-20) @ Oakland Athletics (21-20)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Tyler Chatwood (2-1, 3.67 ERA)  OAK – Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 2.68 ERA)

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

Rain, rain go away.  Let the Angels get this game in without delay.

Seriously, how is an AL West team subjected to so much lousy weather on such a regular basis?  Looking at the weather report, it seem pretty unlikely that this game is even going to happen tonight.  If it does, this will no doubt mean another night of a soggy field and sloppy play.  Excuse me if I fail to sound excited.

As the old saying goes, you can't keep a good man down, and Mike Trout is most certainly a good man, possibly a great one.

After a torrid prior week, this latest week started off rather tepid, going 2-for-15 with four strikeouts.  A four-game skid is little reason for concern for anyone, especially Mighty Mike, who bounced back with a vengeance.

Trout's last three games have seen him go 7-for-16 in his last three games, with three doubles, a triple and three runs scored to his credit.

So why should we care about Trout having such an up-and-down week?  Because the finish to his week might be indicative of Trout taking the next big step towards greatness.  You see, Trout has had one weakness thus far this year, playing at home.  The Travelers play in one of the least hitter friendly parks in the minors, and even he hasn't been able to overcome its draining effects, leaving him with a paltry .250/.301/.441 slash line (and this is after he got hot this last week), including 18 strikeouts in just 68 at-bats, at Dickey-Stephens Park.  If his end of the week hot streak proves to be sustainable, then I would consider that to be the final hurdle for him to clear in Double-A.  Obviously, three games doesn't mean a whole lot, so it will be worth keeping an eye on him whenever he is at home over the next month or two.

That's it for this week, check back in next week to see what happens to our future hero.  Same Trout Time.  Same Trout Channel... err, blog.

Have you met Maicerto Callazturis?  If not, you really should get to know him because he has been far and away the MVP of the first quarter of the Angel season.

Sure, Danred Wearen has done an amazing job of leading the pitching staff while the Halo offense has been anything but impressive, but he still isn't the MVP.  No, as great as he has been, this team still wouldn't be in first place in the AL West (oops, not anymore, thanks blowpen) at this early stage if not for the decidedly unexpected offensive contributions of Maicerto Callazturis.

Two have become one to form: MAICERTO CALLAZTURIS!!!!

At this point the Angels aren't just losing close games, they are throwing them away. This is the second time Walden has blown an easy save and pushed the game to extra innings. We all new there was an extra inning game or two in store for us this week, there always is. I hate that.

Angels 4 Athletics 5

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Morales to undergo surgery on May 26th, Segura hurts his hamstring, meet the young Angel stars this weekend and much more...

The Story: Kendrys Morales is set for surgery on May 26th.

The Monkey Says: Read that article closely because it says six months is the minimum recovery time.  That still gives him plenty of time to be ready for next season, but it also suggests that his recovery could last much longer and we all know how that goes.

The Story: Top prospect Jean Segura has landed on the DL with hamstring problems.

The Monkey Says: Segura is probably the Angels' best position player prospect after Mike Trout, so hopefully this isn't anything serious.

The Story: Peter Bourjos, Jordan Walden and Tyler Chatwood will be signing autographs at the OC Dugout on May 21st.

The Monkey Says: Well, according to some folks, the world is supposed to end May 21st, so hopefully you can get your autograph before the rapture starts.

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim  (22-19) @ Oakland Athletics (20-20)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Joel Pineiro (2-0, 1.33 ERA)  OAK –Brett Anderson (2-3, 3.21 ERA)

Game Info: 7:05 PM PT; TV - KCOP; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

Look behind you, quick! Do you see that in you're rear-view mirror? It looks like there are TWO team's in hot pursuit of the Angels, and we just happen to be walking right through there front doors. Do the Angels need some breathing room in the AL West in order to re-compose themselves after a tough series at Texas? Yeah, they do. They only way they will find that breathing room is by working over the A's this series. Do you think they can do it? I can, especially seeing the way this team has performed on the road.