The O’s have now evened their record on the current west coast swing at 3-3 after taking two of three from the Angels in Anaheim. While on one hand that’s a mighty impressive feat – many O’s fans would have been happy with a 5-5 road trip, and the Angels had won TEN straight home series before this week – it feels a bit empty because the Birds have been leading with six outs or less to play in five of the six games, yet have only won three.
Let’s take a look at the highlights from O’s/Angels.
Monday
Matt Shoemaker hadn’t allowed a run in the first inning all season. Of course, he also hadn’t faced Adam Jones (in the first inning, or at all) all season.
The Angels tied the game and looked poised to blow it open in the fourth. The bases were loaded, and the best player on the planet, Mike Trout, came to the dish. Bud Norris was not impressed.
Bud’s celebration? Now THAT was impressive.
With the game still tied at 2-2 in the sixth, Mr. Jones again stepped to the plate.
In the 7th, Jonathan Schoop flashed the leather.
Speaking of Norris, he had a whale of a game, going 6 2/3 and striking out 8, allowing just 1 earned run.
Zach Britton came in and nailed down the save as the O’s took Game 1.
Jones was in a good mood after the game.
TUESDAY
The game was knotted at 0-0 through five innings, until J.J. Hardy laced a double to right-center, scoring Chris Davis from first.
A couple batters later, Jonathan Schoop went yard to push the O’s lead to 3-0.
Hardy added another RBI double later on.
That was plenty for Miguel Gonzalez, who went 7 2/3 for the win and his third straight great start.
Zach Britton again nailed down the save and the series win.
WEDNESDAY
Chris Tillman had a good night, going 6.0 and allowing just a run, but was screwed out of the win by his bullpen for the second time on the road trip.
Nick Markakis drove in Ryan Flaherty to tie the game at 1-1 in the third.
In the sixth, Adam Jones gave the Birds a 2-1 lead they would, unfortunately, give up.
