Orioles-Angels Preview
Not much has gone right in the one month Ervin Santana has pitched for the Los Angeles Angels this season.
The 2008 All-Star hopes things will change Friday night when he’s expected to return from the disabled list to face the Baltimore Orioles in the continuation of a four-game set at Angel Stadium.
Sidelined with right triceps inflammation, Santana (1-3, 7.47 ERA) hasn’t pitched for Los Angeles since allowing six runs and eight hits in 4 2-3 innings of an 11-1 loss at Tampa Bay on June 11.
GIANTS LEADING OFF
MULLET MANIA: With Manny Ramirez rejoining the Dodgers tonight, the wheels are spinning in the Giants’ marketing department. Broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper suggested the Giants answer the Manny dreadlock wig with a Tim Lincecum flowing long-hair wig. “The problem is,” Kuiper said, “we’ve got to make sure he doesn’t cut it.”
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Bobby Abreu is not a home run hitter and John Lackey is not an overpowering pitcher.
Los Angeles Angels Roster Report
–OF Bobby Abreu drove in four of the Angels’ five runs in Thursday’s game with two home runs. It was the 14th multi-home run game of Abreu’s career. He has 31 RBIs in his past 30 games, including 23 in June (second only to teammate Juan Rivera in the American League).
–RHP Ervin Santana was activated from the disabled list after Thursday’s game. Santana will make his first start since June 11 on Friday night. He has been on the DL with inflammation in his pitching arm near his elbow.
Los Angeles Angels Inside Pitch
Rookie Sean O’Sullivan doesn’t have any overpowering pitches, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia knows what he likes about the burly right-hander.
“Sean is a very confident young pitcher,” Scioscia said. “Although he’s 21, his makeup is well beyond that. When you look at his minor league history, there’s one thing that jumps out at you — he wins.”
Indeed, O’Sullivan is 38-19 in his professional career, including a 2-0 start at the major league level.
Los Angeles Angels Notes, Quotes
–The Angels announced the signing of their second first-round draft pick, OF Mike Trout. Trout met the team before Thursday’s game and took batting practice on the field. He will report to Arizona, where he will join the Angels’ other first-round pick, OF Randal Grichuk, with their rookie-level Arizona League team.
–RHP John Lackey has just two victories in his past four starts after Thursday’s eight-inning outing against the Orioles. But he has a 2.
Abreu’s two blasts lift Halos over O’s
Bobby Abreu hit two home runs, John Lackey pitched eight solid innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the lowly Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Thursday night.
The multihomer game was the 14th of Abreu’s career, his first as an Angel. Both his shots to right field came off Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie, who gave up nine hits in seven innings.
Lackey, who had a loss and a no-decision in his last two starts, got the run support he needed this time.
Up next for the Angels: Friday vs. Baltimore
Ervin Santana returns from the disabled list to take on David Hernandez.
VS. BALTIMORE
Angels GM Tony Reagins doesn’t see a deal for pitching on the horizon
With the staff struggling, the general manager says he won’t make a trade simply to look busy
With the season’s halfway point less than a week away the Angels’ pitching situation remains unsettled in the rotation and the bullpen. But General Manager Tony Reagins said Thursday he won’t make a trade simply to look busy.