SB Nation Los Angeles - Angels Vs. Rangers: Halos Burned Late Againhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-09-20T21:56:06-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31095152012-09-20T21:56:06-07:002012-09-20T21:56:06-07:00Angels Vs. Rangers Game Recap: Beltre HR Pushes Texas Past Halos
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<p><span>Adrian Beltre's</span> two-run home run was the difference in what was otherwise a classic pitcher's duel, with the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> picking up a 3-1 win over the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Angels</a>. <span>Zack Greinke</span> and <span>Yu Darvish</span> were masterful, each throwing eight innings and giving up one run. Greinke surrendered five hits and struck out eight, and Darvish matched him with four hits and a walk while striking out nine. Darvish earned the win, while <span>Ernesto Frieri</span> got saddled with the loss. <span>Joe Nathan</span> earned the save.</p>
<p><span>Geovany Soto</span> hit a sacrifice fly to score Nelson Cruz in the 5th inning to put the Rangers on top, but the Angels answered in the 6th when <span>Peter Bourjos</span> scored on a fielder's choice by <span>Torii Hunter</span>. Beltre has been suffering from a gastrointestinal problem, but it didn't appear to affect him when he smashed a Frieri pitch into the left field seats.</p>
<p>The loss is a huge blow to the Angels' playoff hopes. The Angels now sit 4.5 games behind the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orioles</a> and <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a> for the Wildcard, and begin a three game series against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago White Sox</a> on Friday.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Angels baseball, be sure to read <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e3385; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a>. You can also check out everything we have to offer at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e3385; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2012/9/20/3366828/angels-vs-rangers-final-score-recapPeter Berkes2012-09-20T20:42:52-07:002012-09-20T20:42:52-07:00C.J. Wilson Meets With Mike Scioscia After Quick Hook
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> of Anaheim starting pitcher <span>C.J. Wilson</span> met with manager Mike Scioscia and pitching coach Mike Butcher behind closed doors Thursday, the day after a disastrous start in which Wilson only lasted 2⅔ innings in a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>.</p>
<p>It was the second such "strategy meeting" of the season between Wilson and his coaches, Scioscia said, <a href="http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120920&content_id=38748476&notebook_id=38748480&vkey=notebook_ana&c_id=ana" target="_blank">according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. </a>The first was on Aug. 3, also after a start against the Rangers, his former team.</p>
<p>Scioscia didn't elaborate much on the meeting, offering only this to MLB.com:</p>
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<p>"It's just a strategy meeting of just trying to get him to get his best stuff out on the field," said Scioscia, who didn't want to go into much greater detail than that. "We have a lot of confidence in what he can do. We just want to maybe refine some simple things."</p>
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<p>Wilson has had five starts this season against his former club, and he has been lackluster. In 20 innings, he's given up 17 earned runs on 27 hits, and he's struck out 19 batters against 13 walks. If you take away those 20 innings against the Rangers, his ERA would drop from 3.82 to 3.37.</p>
<p>After the meeting, MLB.com's Gonzalez reported that Wilson's role would not change. He will stay in the starting rotation.</p>
<p><i>For more on Angels baseball, be sure to read <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a>. You can also check out everything we have to offer at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2012/9/20/3366714/c-j-wilson-mike-scioscia-los-angeles-angels-meetingjlpennington2012-09-20T08:21:19-07:002012-09-20T08:21:19-07:00Angels Vs. Rangers: C.J. Wilson Unhappy With Early Hook
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<p>C.J. Wilson had his shortest outing of the 2012 season in Wednesday night's game against the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a>, when he was pulled in the top of the third inning by <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Angels</a> manager Mike Scioscia. The left-hander wasn't happy about his early exit, according to <a href="http://www.twitlonger.com/show/jbrvob">MLB.com's Angels beat writer Alden Gonzales</a>.</p>
<p>Wilson, on his early exit:</p>
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<p>Well, I mean, we're trying to win the game, so I understand. You have to do what you have to do, I guess. But as a starter, you never want to get pulled early like that. I mean, how are you going to be happy about that?</p>
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<p>Wilson (12-10, 3.82) struggled early, throwing 17 of his first 28 pitches for balls and loading the bases in the top of the first inning. He managed to emerge unscathed when he got <span>Mike Napoli</span> to ground out to end the first inning, things only got worse from there. He threw 66 pitches through 2<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7583272054325789">⅔</span> innings of work and surrendered three runs on four hits and three walks. In his last two performances against the Rangers, he has given up 11 runs on 14 hits and six walks in eight innings. His ERA in five starts against the former team is 7.65</p>
<p>The Angels currently trail the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> by 3.5 games for the second AL Wild Card spot.</p>
<p>Thursday night's series finale with the Texas Rangers starts at 7:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on Fox Sports West.</p>
<p><i><span id="internal-source-marker_0.007518545491620898">For more on Angels baseball, be sure to read <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a>. You can also check out everything we have to offer at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</span> </i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2012/9/20/3363052/angels-vs-rangers-c-j-wilson-unhappy-early-hookRiley Breckenridge2012-09-20T07:00:51-07:002012-09-20T07:00:51-07:00Angels Vs. Rangers Game Preview: Halos Look To Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive In Series Finale
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<p>With their slim playoff hopes fading, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> will look to snag a series win against the AL West leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> in the final game of a three-game set at the Big A on Thursday night.</p>
<p>The Halos will pin their hopes on the arm of <span>Zack Greinke</span>, who gets the start in the finale. The right-hander is 5-2, with a 3.78 ERA since coming to Anaheim in a trade with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>, and has been stellar in his last three outings, posting a 2-0 record with a miniscule 1.61 ERA. The club will also look to bounce back from a meager offensive performance on Wednesday in which they only managed to scrape together two runs against <span>Derek Holland</span> and the Rangers bullpen.</p>
<p>The Rangers will counter with rookie <span>Yu Darvish</span> (15-9, 4.02). Darvish has been superb in his last five outings, going 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA. If it weren't for Angels outfielder <span>Mike Trout</span> lighting the baseball world on fire, Darvish would be a shoe-in for AL Rookie Of The Year.</p>
<p>The Angels trail the Oakland A's by 3.5 games for the second AL Wild Card spot.</p>
<p>First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. PT, and the game will be televised on Fox Sports West.</p>
<p><span id="internal-source-marker_0.007518545491620898"><i>For more on Angels baseball, be sure to read <a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a>. You can also check out everything we have to offer at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></span></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2012/9/20/3362660/angels-vs-rangers-game-previewRiley Breckenridge2012-09-19T22:13:44-07:002012-09-19T22:13:44-07:00Angels Vs. Rangers Final Score: Texas Evens Series With 6-2 Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> hosted the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> on Wednesday night in the second game of their best-of-three series. Unfortunately, the vaunted Rangers offense reared its head as they handed the Halos a 6-2 loss to even up the series.</p>
<p>Texas struck first, plating three runs in the top of the third inning with an RBI triple from <span>Elvis Andrus</span> and RBI doubles from <span>Michael Young</span> and <span>Mike Napoli</span>. The Halos finally got on the board in the fifth inning, as <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> hit his 10th homer of the year. The two-run shot cut the Texas lead to 3-2.</p>
<p>Nelson Cruz doubled home another Texas run in the top of the eighth and later in the inning <span>Geovany Soto</span> hit a two-run shot of his own to push the Rangers' lead back out to 6-2.</p>
<p><span>C.J. Wilson</span> lasted just 2.2 innings in the game, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks.</p>
<p><i>For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a>. <i>For updates and perspective on the Texas Rangers, head on over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lonestarball.com/">Lone Star Ball</a> or stop by <a target="_blank" href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Dallas</a>. <i>You can also check out everything we have to offer at <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. </i></i></i></p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2012/9/19/3361646/angels-vs-rangers-final-score-recapBill Hanstock2012-09-19T15:23:37-07:002012-09-19T15:23:37-07:00Angels Vs. Rangers: Albert Pujols Returns After Daughter's Birth
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<p>As expected, <span>Albert Pujols</span> has returned to the team in California, and the first baseman will be in the lineup against the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> after sitting out Tuesday's game to remain with his wife and newborn daughter in Kansas City.</p>
<p>Los Angeles was on the road playing the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Royals</a> on Sunday during the birth, and Pujols played in the Sunday game afterward. He had one hit in four at-bats.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a>' slugger stayed in Kansas City following his daughter's birth, and his wife, Deidre, was still in the hospital as of Tuesday afternoon, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-0919-angels-notes-20120919,0,7690572.story">according to the Los Angeles Times</a>. Pujols's teammates did fine without him on Tuesday, winning 11-3.</p>
<p>He was replaced in the lineup by <span>Kendrys Morales</span>, who batted fourth as <span>Torii Hunter</span> slid into Pujols's third slot in the batting order. Hunter will move back to fourth in the order as Pujols returns.</p>
<p>1. <span>Mike Trout</span>, CF<br>2. <span>Erick Aybar</span>, SS<br>3. Albert Pujols, 1B<br>4. Torii Hunter, RF<br>5. Howard Kendrick, 2B<br>6. <span>Vernon Wells</span>, LF<br>7. <span>Alberto Callaspo</span>, 3B<br>8. <span>Mark Trumbo</span>, DH<br>9. <span>Chris Iannetta</span>, C</p>
<p><span>C.J. Wilson</span>, P</p>
<p><i>Check out more Angels coverage at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.halosheaven.com">Halos Heaven</a> or hit up SB Nation's MLB hub, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb">Baseball Nation.</a></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2012/9/19/3359806/angels-vs-rangers-lineups-albert-pujolsKevin Zimmerman2012-09-19T10:37:49-07:002012-09-19T10:37:49-07:00Angels Vs. Rangers, Game Preview: C.J. Wilson, Derek Holland Sqaure Off
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> took care of business on Tuesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>, and are hoping for a repeat performance on Wednesday with former Ranger <span>C.J. Wilson</span> taking the mound for L.A. </p>
<p>Wilson (12-9, 3.73 ERA) took a no decision in his last start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> after allowing four runs in five innings of work on Friday. The Angels have won Wilson's last five starts despite him owning a 5.67 ERA over his last six outings.</p>
<p>Texas will counter with <span>Derek Holland</span> (10-6, 4.50) who is 3-0 with a 2.83 ERA over his last five starts. He has lost his last two outings against the Angels though, and is 1-3 with a 7.04 ERA in his last five starts at Angels Stadium. </p>
<p>L.A. is three games back in the AL Wild Card and 6.5 back on Texas in the AL West, but are 8-6 against the Rangers this season while outscoring them 44-18 in their last five meetings. </p>
<p>First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT with coverage on ESPN, Fox Sports West and KLAA 830 AM. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Angels, make sure to check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.halosheaven.com">Halos Heaven.</a> </i></p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2012/9/19/3358310/angels-rangers-preview-cj-wilson-derek-hollandErnie Pomin2012-09-19T09:37:02-07:002012-09-19T09:37:02-07:002012 MLB Standings: Dodgers, Angels Both Pushing For Wild Card
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<p>The <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a> and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> both currently reside on the outside of the playoffs, but remain in contention for Wild Card spots. </p>
<p>The Dodgers enter play on Wednesday just 1<b id="internal-source-marker_0.40899500041268766">½</b> games behind the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> for the last playoff spot in the National League. Both teams have struggled down the stretch, as L.A. has went 3-7 over its last 10 games, but only lost one game in the standings to St. Louis in that span. The Dodgers have nine games left with division leaders, as they play three each against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nationals</a>, <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Reds</a> and <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>. The Cardinals also face the Nationals and Giants, but have five more to play with the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a>.</p>
<p>The Angels have a little more ground to make up. They are currently three games behind the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a> for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. The Angels have played well, winning four of their last five, but Baltimore has won three straight. The Angels do have six games left against the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a>, who they have had success against.</p>
<p>For the full standings, check out S.I.'s <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/standings/index.html">MLB Standings page</a>.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Angels, head to </i><a href="http://www.halosheaven.com/" target="_blank"><i>Angels blog Halos Heaven</i></a><i>. For all things Dodgers, head to Dodgers blog </i><a href="http://www.truebluela.com/" target="_blank"><i>True Blue LA</i></a><i>.</i></p>
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https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-dodgers/2012/9/19/3357934/mlb-playoff-standings-2012Craig Powers