May 14, 2017
Alex Meyer pitched 6 1/3 innings strong innings and picked up his 2nd win of the season, as the Angels beat the Tigers 4-1 at the Big A on Sunday afternoon. The win salvaged a split of the four-game series between the Tigers and Angels.
Meyer (2-1) was once a reliever that the Angels are using as a starting pitcher since being acquired late last season, and is starting fulfill some of his potential. The 6+ innings were a career-high for Meyer, who made 96 pitches, and gave up just 1 run on 3 hits. He struck out 7 Tigers and threw his fastball as hard as 98 MPH consistently. Bud Norris pitched the 9th for his 7th save of the season.
The Angels got a solo home run from Mike Trout in the 1st inning, tying the game at 1-1. It was the third straight game Trout went deep. Danny Espinosa hit a solo shot of his own in the 4th inning, giving the Halos the lead.
In the 7th, the Angels added a pair of insurance runs. Andrelton Simmons delivered an RBI single, scoring Juan Graterol. Trout added a sacrifice fly later in the inning, making it 4-1.
The Tigers only run of the game came on an RBI single from Nicholas Castellanos in the 1st inning. Ian Kinsler lead off the game with a double, followed by the Castellanos hit. After that Meyer did not allow a hit until the 7th.
Justin Verlander (3-3) took the loss for the Tigers. He pitched into the 7th inning, giving up all four runs, striking out 7 and walking 5. He passed Tommy John and pulled even with Eddie Plank for 53rd place in baseball history with 2,246 career strikeouts.
The Tigers haven’t won a series in Anaheim since 2009. They have played 8 series at the Big A during that stretch.
Trout also stole two bases, joining Alex Rodriguez as the only players to get 175 homers and 150 steals before their age-26 season. Cameron Maybin stole second base three times for the Angels, matching his career high in steals.
Albert Pujols got the day off for the Halos. He was replaced in the lineup by C.J. Cron at first base, who returned from the disabled list.
The Angels will now host the White Sox in Anaheim for a 3-game set beginning on Monday night. Jesse Chavez (2-5, 4.29 ERA) gets the ball for the Halos, while the Sox go with Mike Pelfrey (0-3; 5.21 ERA).