The Los Angeles Angels’ road trip started well with a win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday. But a lack of timely hitting put a quick halt to that. The Angels went 1 for 21 with runners in scoring position over their next two games against San Diego, losing both.
Now it’s off to Oakland for a quick early week series against the Athletics in hopes of avoiding their longest losing streak in over a month.
“The frustration of not playing to your potential, it’s tough,” manager Mike Scioscia said.
Oakland is favored in Bovada’s Angels vs. Athletics Betting Lines by 1 1/2 runs, and part of that has to do with Los Angeles’ ineptitude at the plate. Scoring runs has been just as tough against Oakland this year, batting just .231 with runners in scoring position.
One bright spot as been Albert Pujols, who is hitting .440 with four doubles against the Athletics this year. They are one of only two opponents Pujols is hitting better than .286 against. Two of those doubles came against tonight’s starter Tommy Milone.
Milone has been roughed up recently, giving up a season-high nine hits in a 4-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. He’s 2-2 with a 6.46 ERA in his last four stars, but a return home could change things. He’s 3.0 with an 0.39 ERA in three starts at the Oakland Coliseum.
“Having a bigger park like (O.com Coliseum), it’s a lot easier to throw to contact,” he told the team’s website. “That’s my game plan when I’m there.”
He won’t have to face three of Los Angeles’ top hitters. Vernon Wells and Ryan Langerhans are both headed for the DL, while Torii Hunter is on his way to Texas to be with his 17-year old son, who is charged with sexual assault.
Jerome Williams gets the ball for the Angels, hoping to win his fifth straight decision. He’s been brilliant against Oakland in the past, according to the Associated Press.
“Williams is 3-1 with a 3.30 ERA in five career starts against Oakland and gave up one run over 6 1-3 innings in a 4-2 win Sept. 24,” the news source said. “He last won five straight decisions from June 21-July 12, 2003, while with San Francisco and beat the A’s twice during that run.”