Ex-Angels Report 6/12/07

Notes and stats from former Angel players in the Major Leagues.

• Coming off a month long stint on the disabled list, Jeff Weaver came back with a vengeance. Weaver went 4 innings allowing one run on two hits. It was Weaver's 7th start of the year and the first time he did not receive a loss. Weaver left the game with lower back stiffness.
• Jake Woods was recalled to the Seattle Mariners from AAA Tacoma. Woods had a 7.41 ERA in nine starts and one relief appearance in AAA.
• David Eckstein has raised his average to .301. Eckstein was hitting just .207 on May 12 when he started his tear - 36-for-75 (.480).
• Troy Glaus is riding a 7-game hitting streak. He had 2 home runs on Saturday against the Dodgers and has raised his average to .292.
• Bret Prinz was called up to the White Sox last week and has given up one earned run in each of his three relief appearances.
• The Boston Red Sox designated J.C. Romero for assignment. The roster move was needed as Mike Timlin was returning from an injury. The Red Sox have 10 days to trade or release Romero.
• Kevin Gregg is Florida's closer and on Saturday he pitched like a veteran closer. Coming in with the Marlins losing, Gregg allowed 3 runs in the 9th inning. A word of advice to all managers, do not use your closer when your team is trailing or tied.

EX-ANGEL         TEAM  AB   R HR RBI  BB  SO   AVG   OPS
Troy Glaus        TOR 144  27 10  28  22  33  .292  .946
Damion Easley     NYM 121  16  7  16  12  20  .264  .814
Bengie Molina     SF  204  16  6  33   8  24  .309  .802
Jose Guillen      SEA 214  32  7  38  14  42  .266  .755
David Eckstein    STL 186  23  2  12   8   6  .301  .719
Jim Edmonds       STL 181  19  7  24  18  38  .243  .719
Scott Spiezio     STL 122  15  2  20   9  22  .262  .695
Darin Erstad      CWS 182  21  2  21  13  23  .264  .652
Alfredo Amezaga   FLA 178  18  1  14  17  20  .253  .645
Adam Kennedy      STL 160  13  0  11  15  13  .219  .565
Orlando Palmeiro  HOU  47   6  0   2   7   3  .213  .561
Sal Fasano        TOR  44   5  1   4   2  18  .182  .552
Josh Paul         TB   49   4  0   5   4  14  .245  .547
Alberto Callaspo  ARI 125   9  0   5   8  11  .208  .515
Steve Finley      COL  94   9  1   2   8   4  .181  .490

EX-ANGEL         TEAM  G  W-L  SV   IP   BB   K   ERA   BAA
Russ Springer     STL 28  1-0   0  21.0   9  22  2.57  .187
Bobby Jenks       CWS 26  2-2  17  24.1   9  23  2.59  .212
Kevin Gregg       FLA 32  0-2   9  37.0  16  37  2.68  .207
Brendan Donnelly  BOS 27  2-1   0  20.2   5  15  3.05  .235
J.C. Romero       BOS 23  1-0   1  20.0  15  11  3.15  .308
Matt Wise         MIL 27  1-1   0  28.0   6  19  3.21  .210
Joel Peralta      KC  28  1-2   0  39.2  10  34  3.86  .253
Jarrod Washburn   SEA 12  5-5   0  75.1  20  40  3.94  .265
Derrick Turnbow   MIL 30  1-3   1  27.1  12  35  4.28  .206
Paul Byrd         CLE 11  6-2   0  68.0   4  35  4.50  .321
Aaron Sele        NYM 14  1-0   0  23.0  10  17  5.09  .333
Ramon Ortiz       MIN 13  3-4   0  65.0  12  28  5.40  .292
Jake Woods        SEA  2  0-0   0   7.2   5   1  5.87  .258
Scott Schoeneweis NYM 27  0-1   0  21.2  19   9  7.06  .280
Jeff Weaver       SEA  7  0-6   0  26.0   7  15 12.46  .423
Bret Prinz        CWS  3  0-0   0   1.1   2   1 20.25  .500

Strange Things Are Afoot At The Big A

This has been a great week for the Angels. And a bit strange. Runs in bunches and a win from the un-likeliest of pitchers.

Sunday. Vladimir Guerrero hits a walk-off 2-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Angels a 4-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. It was the Angels' first walk-off home run since September 5th of last season.

Monday. The Angels (who have been poor hitters in the late innings) score 8 runs in the 8th inning. The Angels also have 22 hits, their most since May of 2002.

Tuesday. The Angels beat the Twins 5-1. Nothing strange.

Wednesday. John Lackey gives up 4 earned runs and loses to the Minnesota Twins 8-5.

Thursday was an off day.

Friday. The Angels again have a big (late) inning, putting a six spot on the St. Louis Cardinals in the 7th inning. They connect for 17 hits and win 10-6 despite the Cards scoring in 6 different innings.

Saturday. Ervin Santana gets a road win.

For the week, the Halos went 5-1. They had 10 or more hits in 5 of their 6 games and 17 or more hits in half of their games.

If anybody knows how to bottle this up and save it for later in the year, please tell me. Or at least somebody on the Angels.

Where have the "fans" gone?

The Angels are playing so well, that it seems like the fans have forgotten their "national past time" - complaining.

Where are the Stoneman, Hatcher, Butcher haters?

I've listened to the radio and read the Reigster and I'm not sure what has happened.

Stoneman still hasn't traded for a big bat. He's still the guy to blame for signing Gary Matthews Jr. Please, complain.

Mickey Hatcher hasn't changed his approach as a hitting coach. Casey Kotchman is only hitting .309. He'd be an all-star if it weren't for Hatcher. Hatcher is killing Reggie Willits. Please, complain.

Imagine how much better the Angels pitching staff would be without Mike Butcher as pitching coach. C'mon, John Lackey has lost 3 games. All Mike Butcher's fault. The same can be said for Kelvim Escobar and his 3 losses. Please, complain.

Don't you wish the Angels still had Erstad? Glaus? Eckstein? Kennedy? Molina? Spiezio? Please, complain.

In any case, please complain.

Ex-Angels Report 6/4/07

Stats & Notes from former Angels in the Major Leagues.

• Darin Erstad had a 13-game hitting streak end Wednesday and then the following day sprained his ankle. He was put on the 15-day disabled list.
• Adam Kennedy continues to struggle. His batting average is currently .224 and he is hitting just .103 against lefties (3/29).
• David Eckstein has hit safely in 12 of his past 13 games. During that stretch he has 4 3-hit games and has raised his average from .207 to .284.
• After hitting just one home run in his first 37 games, Jim Edmonds has hit 5 home runs (All 5 solo shots) in his past 10 games.
• Bengie Molina was a triple short of the cycle yesterday against the Phillies. Molina has 4 career triples including one last month.
• Josh Paul was moved to the 60-Day DL from the 15-Day DL. Paul suffered a left elbow sprain last week..
• Kevin Gregg is still the Florida Marlins closer. Last week the Marlins acquired Armando Benitez from the Giants and have said that Benitez (who was closing with the Giants) will set up Gregg.
• Jeff Weaver will start Saturday against San Diego after spending 3 weeks on the DL with shoulder tendinitis.
• Paul Byrd has won his past 4 starts and is 6-1 on the season with a 3.57 era.
• In his first relief appearance in 3 years, Ramon Ortiz pitched a perfect 9th inning for Minnesota last Tuesday.
• In Bobby Jenks' past 9 appearances (8.1 innings) he has not allowed a run and has given up only 2 hits.

EX-ANGEL         TEAM  AB   R HR RBI  BB  SO   AVG   OPS
Troy Glaus        TOR 118  22  8  24  18  27  .263  .884
Bengie Molina     SF  177  14  6  33   6  23  .311  .821
Jose Guillen      SEA 181  27  7  36  12  33  .282  .808
Damion Easley     NYM 113  16  7  15  10  19  .248  .778
Scott Spiezio     STL 111  14  1  17   9  20  .279  .717
Jim Edmonds       STL 159  18  6  20  16  32  .239  .697
David Eckstein    STL 162  18  2  10   8   6  .284  .691
Darin Erstad      CWS 182  21  2  21  13  23  .264  .652
Alfredo Amezaga   FLA 151  14  1  12  13  16  .252  .643
Adam Kennedy      STL 147  13  0  11  13  11  .224  .578
Josh Paul         TB   49   4  0   5   4  14  .245  .547
Sal Fasano        TOR  36   4  1   3   2  16  .167  .536
Alberto Callaspo  ARI 117   9  0   5   8  10  .214  .533
Orlando Palmeiro  HOU  40   5  0   2   7   2  .175  .513
Steve Finley      COL  94   9  1   2   8   4  .181  .490

EX-ANGEL         TEAM  G  W-L  SV   IP   BB   K   ERA   BAA
Kevin Gregg       FLA 28  0-2   7  32.2  13  35  1.93  .197
Bobby Jenks       CWS 22  2-1  15  21.0   9  21  2.57  .192
Russ Springer     STL 25  1-0   0  18.0   8  19  3.00  .175
Matt Wise         MIL 24  1-1   0  22.1   6  13  3.22  .213
J.C. Romero       BOS 22  1-0   1  18.2  13  10  3.38  .311
Jarrod Washburn   SEA 11  5-4   0  70.2  20  34  3.57  .254
Paul Byrd         CLE  9  6-1   0  58.0   3  31  3.57  .300
Brendan Donnelly  BOS 24  2-1   0  17.1   5  12  3.63  .246
Joel Peralta      KC  25  1-2   0  35.0   9  29  4.37  .267
Derrick Turnbow   MIL 27  1-3   1  24.2  11  32  4.38  .207
Aaron Sele        NYM 12  1-0   0  19.2  10  15  5.03  .329
Ramon Ortiz       MIN 11  3-4   0  57.1  11  24  5.65  .289
Jake Woods        SEA  2  0-0   0   7.2   5   1  5.87  .258
Scott Schoeneweis NYM 23  0-0   0  19.2  17   9  5.95  .257
Jeff Weaver       SEA  6  0-6   0  22.0   7  12 14.32  .459

I Thought I Saw A Puddycat

Actually, I thought I saw an Angels come-from-behind win today.

I don't believe it, but the box score seems to confer my suspicions.

It looks like Vladimir Guerrero hit a walk-off home run.

I'm in shock and I still don't believe it.

OK, what's really shocking, is Garret Anderson. In the picture of the team piling on Vladimir at home plate, there's GA smiling and joining in on the fun.

Shocking!

Down On The Farm 6/2/07

Here's a look at the Angels' Minor League Teams and top prospects.

AAA- Salt Lake
The Bees have a record of 30-25 and are in first place of the PCL Pacific North Division. Relief pitcher Marcus Gwyn recorded 3 saves this week while lowering his era to 1.50. Gwyn is in his 7th year of professional baseball without having played in the majors. Tommy Murphy has hit safely (9-for-26) in all 6 games he has played in since being sent down last week.

AA- Arkansas
The Travelers are in last place of the Texas League North Division with a record of 21-32. Nick Adenhart had one start this week allowing 2 earned runs in 7 2/3 innings for a no decision.

A- Rancho Cucamonga
The Quakes are 27-28, 2.5 games out of first place. Garret Anderson played three games for the Quakes this week. He went 2-for-9 with one walk and one rbi. Justin Speier also pitched one inning on a rehab assignment. Pitcher Brok Butcher had two quality starts but lost both games 3-2 and 2-1.
Player        Pos Age Lg  H/AB  AVG  OPS MISC
Nathan Haynes  OF 27 Maj
Tommy Murphy   OF 27 AAA 17/51  .333 .846 5-sb
Kendry Morales 1B 23 AAA 27/94  .287 .674 6-xbh
Terry Evans    OF 25 AAA 66/205 .322 .879 51-k
Matthew Brown  IF 24 AAA 46/165 .279 .800 3-hr
Brandon Wood   3B 22 AAA 40/170 .235 .753 7-hr
Jeff Mathis    C  24 AAA 39/163 .239 .645 29-k
Sean Rodriguez SS 22 AA  46/185 .249 .753 20-bb
Bradley Coon   OF 24 A+  62/210 .295 .734 25-sb
Hank Conger    C  19 A   46/164 .280 .812 7-hr
Chris Pettit   OF 22 A   63/174 .362 1.029 6-hr

Player          Pos Age Lg  IP  W-L  ERA MISC
Joe Saunders     SP 25 Maj
Greg Jones       RP 30 AAA 23.1 3-0 5.40 1.89-whip
Jason Bulger     RP 28 AAA 22.1 3-1 2.42 32-k
Kasey Olenberger SP 29 AAA 69.2 6-1 3.49 41-k
Marcus Gwyn      RP 30 AAA 27.2 0-0 1.30 7-sv
Nick Adenhart    SP 20 AA  57.2 3-2 3.43 43-k
Jose Arredondo   RP 23 AA  23.1 0-1 2.70 9-sv
Brok Butcher     SP 23 A+  75.0 3-4 1.80 46-k
Stephen Marek    SP 23 A+  49.2 3-3 3.62 1.31-whip
Sean O'Sullivan  SP 19 A   62.2 4-3 2.44 1.31-whip
Douglas Brandt   SP 22 A   46.0 3-1 1.17 48-k

May Statistical Review

The Angels had a great month going 18-7. Here are the Angels Team Leaders in May (April stats in parenthesis)

AVG (Nathan Haynes was 1-for-1, 1.000 and Robb Quinlan 5-for-11, .538)
.372 Orlando Cabrera (.260)
.363 Casey Kotchman (.265)
.350 Vladimir Guerrero (.366)

OPS
1.020 Vladimir Guerrero (1.165)
1.010 Casey Kotchman (.783)
.909 Orlando Cabrera (.716)

HR
5 Gary Matthews Jr (2)
4 Vladimir Guerrero (7)
4 Mike Napoli (1)

RBI
23 Vladimir Guerrero (23)
22 Gary Matthews Jr (9)
16 Orlando Cabrera (10)
16 Casey Kotchman (10)

Runs
23 Reggie Willits (3)
18 Orlando Cabrera (18)
18 Vladimir Guerrero (14)

Walks
19 Vladimir Guerrero (14)
19 Reggie Willits (4)
10 Casey Kotchman (7)

SB
9 Reggie Willits (2)
5 Chone Figgins (2)
3 Orlando Cabrera (3)

Wins
4 John Lackey (4)
4 Kelvim Escobar (2)
3 Jered Weaver (1)
3 Bartolo Colon (2)

Strikeouts
33 Jered Weaver (11)
30 Kelvim Escobar (18)
28 Ervin Santana (20)

ERA
1.46 Francisco Rodriguez (2.92)
1.69 Scott Shields (4.26)
1.98 Dustin Moseley (1.17)

Innings Pitched
41.1 Kelvim Escobar (24.2)
36.0 Ervin Santana (28.0)
35.2 Bartolo Colon (14.0)

Games
14 Scott Shields (12)
12 Francisco Rodriguez (12)
10 Darren Oliver (9)