April 28: Topsy Turvy Day As Mariners Win Series, Astros Lose Series, Angels Sweep A's

So this is why baseball. The Angels, who seemingly had no pitching, ran the table against the A's this week behind solid pitching and now find themselves at .500. The A's not named Yonder Alonso suddenly can't score and head into Houston riding a four-game losing streak and a 3-6 road record. The Mariners nightmarish April looks a lot less spooky after they win a series in Detroit.  The mighty Astros give the rest of the division hope they can be caught whenever someone other than Dallas Keuchel takes the mound. Recaps and links below.

Astros (14-8)

The Astros lost the series against the Indians, a match-up of two of the three first place AL teams. A key moment came when Jose Altuve, who had been successful in eight of eight stolen base attempts, got thrown out in the 9th attempting to steal second against Indians closer Cody Allen. The next two hitters got singles, meaning the failed steal attempt likely cost the Astros the game. Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor put the Indians ahead for good with a two-run homer in the 7th off Chris Devenski.

Altuve gets thrown out.  Astros fans find plenty of positives despite the series loss.

The box.

Angels (12-12)

The Angels continue to get solid starting pitching and very good relief pitching from a staff that's been cobbled together after a raft of early season injuries. Baseball god Mike Trout seems to be involved every night in scoring runs, because he is. He's on an 11-game hitting streak. Ricky Nolasco apparently got it together during his extended period off to work on mechanical issues, not giving up a home run for the first time this year. The Angels fly to Texas to see if they can keep up their winning ways on the road.

The Angels are still trying to figure out the leadoff spot. But I just used the phrase "trying to figure out" and the word "Angels" in a sentence that did not contain the word "pitching." and that's good news.

The box.

Athletics (10-12)

The A's lost the game and got swept in the series, but they win the coolness battle after Kendall Graveman got an unassisted double play. Just watch it. As for the big picture, Graveman pitched well, the team gets back Sonny Gray soon, and they are stocked with great young pitchers. But that won't matter if they don't hit - the A's have scored one run in four out of the last six games.

An A's fan watches the game in Angel Stadium and ends up quoting C.S. Lewis.

The box.

Rangers (10-12)

An off day waiting for the arrival of the Los Angeles Angels. Here's a look at the pitching matchups for the weekend.

Mariners (10-13)

Whaaaaaaa? The Mariners lose Felix Hernandez and Mitch Haniger, but then go to Detroit and take the series from a very good Tigers team. And that's after losing the first game of the series, 19-9. On Thursday, the Mariners got a game-winning single from rookie Ben Gamel and yet another Taylor Motter Moment. Next stop: Cleveland.

More positives out of the series win.

The box.


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