Orioles at Angels
If the Los Angeles Angels fail to reach the postseason for the fifth straight year, they may look back at this week as the turning point. Just days after reaching new heights with a two-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels continue their four-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Saturday stuck in a mini-tailspin.
Baltimore opened the series with a wild 10-8, 16-inning victory in a game that ran over six hours and saw the Angels use 10 different pitchers. The Orioles cruised to a 9-3 win on Friday and scored seven runs in the first two innings off Nick Tropeano, who was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake after scheduled starter Griffin Canning pitched the final two innings of Thursday night’s marathon. Renato Nunez blasted a three-run homer in Friday’s win while Anthony Santander went 3-for-4 with three RBIs as the Orioles stormed past the listless Angels, who were held to five hits and fell 4 1/2 games out of second-place in the American League wild-card standings. Albert Pujols was given the day off and replaced by rookie Matt Thaiss, who delivered a two-run homer in the fifth inning.
TV: 9:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Aaron Brooks (2-4, 5.16 ERA) vs. Angels TBA
Brooks is looking to bounce back after allowing six runs - five earned - on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings in last Monday’s 6-3 loss to Arizona. The 29-year-old native Californian has recorded a 6.00 ERA in nine innings with the Orioles over three starts since being claimed on waivers from Oakland just before the All-Star break. Brooks owns a 1.35 ERA in five career relief appearances covering 6 2/3 innings versus the Angels.
Angels manager Brad Ausmus has not announced a starter for Saturday’s contest, but the team is expected to promote a pitcher from Salt Lake for the second straight day. “We’ll have to find a way,” Ausmus told reporters. “We’re in a position where we need to win games. Every game matters, so we’re going to need some people that we didn’t necessarily have on the roster or didn’t expect to step up to step up and help us win.” In Sunday’s series finale, the Angels plan to use an opener in front of Felix Pena.
WALK-OFFS
1. Baltimore is 12-11 over its last 23 games.
2. The Angels designated LHP Adalberto Mejia for assignment to make room for Tropeano.
3. The Orioles placed LHP John Means on the 10-day injured list with a left biceps strain, optioned LHP Tanner Scott to Triple-A Norfolk and recalled Dillon Tate from Double-A Bowie and fellow RHP Evan Phillips from Norfolk.