West Coast baseball games can be brutal on the sleep schedule. They can, like all baseball games at times, be brutal to watch. Monday’s game could fall into both categories. The Angels scored early. The Royals were lifeless. They play another one tomorrow.
WPA Play Of The Game
Let’s get straight to business. Recall, if you are so inclined the first inning. Starter Ian Kennedy loaded the bases with a hit by pitch, a ground ball single that travelled 80 feet, and a walk. Bases full of gift wrap. The next batter was Albert Pujols. The aging first baseman still strikes fear in the hearts of opposing fans, even though he’s off to a slow (.171/.241/.382) start. Kennedy gets a comebacker that’s surely a double play. Except the ball darts in an out of his glove, allowing him to only get the runner at home. A run is saved, but an out is lost, especially given the slow-footed Pujols running out of the box. Anyway, disaster averted. For the moment.
The next batter is Cole Calhoun. Kennedy spikes a curve about 58 feet and spinning to the right of catcher Salvador Perez. The Royals backstop had no chance. The ball bounces away, the first run of the game crosses the plate, and absent hard contact, the Angels increase their Win Expectancy nine percent.
They clear the bases on another ground out and, finally, a lined single to right. Three runs was plenty.
3, 2, 1… Contact
Kennedy just didn’t have his swing and miss stuff on Monday. Of the 108 pitches he threw 66 were strikes. Here’s how they broke down:
Called strikes: 16
Fouls: 25
In play: 19
Swing and miss: 6
I had to double check, but yes, those numbers add up to 66.
The Angels especially made Kennedy work in the first couple of innings. Through three, Los Angeles batters fouled off 12 pitches. Kennedy didn’t get his first swing and miss strike until he picked up a pair against Cliff Pennington to get the final out in the third.
Kennedy, as you probably know, has seen his strikeout rate increase in each of the last five seasons. He’s allowed to have an off-night, just like any other starter, but as his career has evolved strikeouts have become part of his toolbox. He didn’t have it last night.
Failure To Launch
The Royals had baserunners – Angels starter Garrett Richards issued five free passes – but the Royals could never capitalize. Their offensive game was encapsulated by Eric Hosmer in the fifth when he singled, then tried to advance to second on a pitch that got away from the Angels catcher. He lollygagged the 90 feet, then had an emergency slide that took him an additional five feet past the bag. The extra distance was unnecessary and Hosmer was tagged out. Not that a rally was killed or anything. Just the best example of the team’s effort on the night.
Not Quite Peak Escobar
Alcides Escobar had what I guess we could consider the plate appearance of the game. Noted here only because it was a walk and Escobar’s walk rate is now a robust (for him) 4.6 percent. Also noted here because he swung and made contact at a pitch I swear was going to hit him.
It’s pitch eight, in case you’re wondering. Hey, in a game like Monday’s, either the small things entertain you, or you go crazy. Or fall asleep.
Up Next
Let’s hope Edinson Volquez brings the sexy back to Southern California. Another 9:05 PM start time.