April 22: Angels, Mariners Reach Bottom, Astros Keep Rolling

Let's start at the bottom today.

Angels (7-11)

First to worst. The Angels got there by losing, at home, to a team (the Toronto Blue Jays) that came in the series with a 3-12 record, the worst start in club history and the worst start by any team ever that played in the playoffs the previous year. In another words, a bad ballclub  But they beat the Angels in 13 innings. Jesse Chavez, the 8th pitcher used by the Angels and typically a starter, gave up the game-winning home run.

The Angels have now lost nine of their last 10 games

Mariners (7-11)

After a bad start and then a run up to second place by winning series against the Rangers and Marlins, the Mariners are now back in last. They lost their second game in a row against the A's, basically a pitching duel that the veteran Hisashi Iwakuma lost to the young Sean Manaea.

The formerly dominant Dan Altavilla has been demoted to Triple A Tacoma.

Rangers (7-10)

Even if you are out of last place by a half game, you are still out of last place. The Rangers seem glad to be home, shaking off a horrible road trip to win two in a row against the Royals, who came into Arlington a hot club. Cole Hamels went eight innings, gave up one earned run and got the win after the bullpen failed to blow the lead.That's unusual in 2017.

Apparently, that 5-10 start was just a pesky annoyance to Hamels and other Rangers veterans.

Athletics (9-8)

The A's got another good pitching performance, this time from lefty Sean Manaea. The veterans at the corners came through as both Trevor Plouffe and Yonder Alonso homered. The A's. who most predicted for a last-place finish, continue to defy the odds in the early going  General Manager Dave Kaval sat in the stands. talked to fans and enjoyed the game. Also the team announced it is not moving to Las Vegas, like you-know-who did, and has found a site for a new stadium in Oakland. I'm not sure how anyone doesn't like the A's.

This game summary manages to hit on the Vegas issue as well. A stadium announcement is expected today.

Astros (12-5)

It's beginning to look a lot like the Astros can start focusing on how to beat the Indians in October.

This time around, in defeating the Rays, it was the bullpen that shined 

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