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Angels Outslug Astros 12-6

June 11, 2017

Eric Young had a three-run homer and drove in four runs as the Angels beat the Astros 12-6 on Sunday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.

Young”s three-run shot in the fifth broke a 6-6 tie and gave the Halos the lead for good. The four RBI were a career-high for Young.

Albert Pujols drilled a solo homer and Kole Calhoun had two hits and three RBI as well.

After taking two out of three from Houston, the Halos are the first AL West team to win a series from the Astros this season.

Jesse Chavez had a rough outing for Angels. He pitched 3 2/3 innings, yielding six runs on four hits. However, the Angels used six relievers to shut down the ‘Stros the rest of the way.

Keynan Middleton (1-0) got credit for the win after pitching the 5th inning.

Michael Feliz (2-1) took the loss for the ‘Stros. He gave up four runs on three hits in the 5th inning.

The Angels will now head back to Anaheim open a 3-game set with the Yankees on Monday night. Alex Meyer (2-3, 4.08 ERA) gets the ball for the Halos. Masahiro Tanaka (5-6, 6.55 ERA) goes the the Yankees.

Chargers Sign Melvin Ingram

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June 11, 2017

The Chargers have agreed to a four-year contract extension with Melvin Ingram. Ingram is one of the team’s top pass rushers.

The contract is worth $66 million with $42 million guaranteed. He had a 10.5-sack season in 2015 and 8.0 more last year with 60 tackles.

The Chargers placed the franchise tag on Ingram in late February. Since negotiations had stalled, Ingram hasn’t taken part in any of the team’s voluntary offseason activities, working out in Florida on his own instead.

“We know Melvin was a priority with us this offseason … the position he plays, what he’s done for us — pass rushers are very important in this league,” GM Tom Telesco said. “If we didn’t have Melvin Ingram, we’d have a pretty big hole as a pass rusher. It was important to get him back with us.”

Ingram is expected in San Diego on Monday to take a physical and sign the contract, clearing the way for his participation at minicamp. He should also be ready for the start of training camp come the end of July.

Seager’s Heroics Help Dodgers Top Reds

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June 10, 2017

Corey Seager delivered a walk-off RBI double, scoring Yasiel Puig in the bottom of the 9th inning, as the Dodgers got by the Reds 5-4 on Saturday night at Chavez Ravine.

Seager hit a ball to left field which caused outfielder Scooter Gennett to dive for the ball and miss it. The ball bounced up against the fence, which allowed Puig to score easily and win the game for LA.

Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless 9th inning to improve to 4-0 on the season.

The Dodgers built a 4-0 and 4-1 before giving it all back to the Reds. Josh Fields came into the game to relieve Alex Wood in the 6th inning. He came into the game with two on and two out.

Devin Mesoraco greeted Fields with a 3-run homer, tying the game at 4-4. It was his 5th long ball of the season.

The Dodgers built a 3-0 lead against Reds’ starter Asher Wojciechowski in the 1st inning. Seager drove in Chase Utley with an RBI double, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Adrian Gonzales. Cody Bellinger drilled his 13th homer of the season to cap the 1st inning rally.

Former Dodger Jose Peraza got the Reds on the board in the 3rd inning with an RBI single. That snapped a 27-inning scoreless streak by Wood.

Wood went 5 2/3 innings, and was charged with 3 runs on 5 hits. He struck out seven, but did not factor into the decision.

Wojciechowski gave up four runs on 6 hits and 5 innings of work. Drew Soren (1-2) took the loss after allowing two one out singles in the 9th.

The Dodgers will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon at the Ravine. Hyun-Jin Ryu (2-6, 4.08 ERA) will be on the mound for LA. Tim Adleman (4-2, 4.42 ERA).

Angels Stifled By Fiers & Astros

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June 10, 2017

Mike Fiers allowed just one unearned on two hits, while pitching 7 1/3 innings, as the Astros topped the Angels 3-1 on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

Fiers improved to 4-2 on the season, striking out eight batters and walking 2. He made 95 pitches on the night.

“He didn’t do anything that we haven’t seen before, but he was doing it well,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He changed speeds, had a good breaking ball and change up going as well.”

Brian McCann put Houston up 1-0 with his solo shot to right field off Ricky Nolasco with one out in the second. Nolasco fell to 2-7 on the season after giving up 2 runs on 8 hits in seven innings of work.

Yuli Gurriel added a sacrifice fly in the 5th, scoring McCann, which made it 2-0.

The Halos would cut the lead in half in the 8th, after Andrelton Simmons groundout to short scored Luis Valbuena. Carlos Correa made a throwing error earlier in the inning, opening the door for the Halos to get on the board with an unearned run.

However, Correa made up for it with an RBI single in the 8th inning off of Yusmeiro Petit, adding an insurance run and making it 3-1.

Ken Giles pitched the 9th inning, striking out three batters in a scoreless inning for his 16th save of the season.

Sunday will be the rubber game of the three-game set. Jesse Chavez (5-6, 4.56 ERA) will start for the Halos in the finale. David Paulino (0-0, 4.66) is scheduled to make his third start of the season for Houston.

Dodgers Beat Up Reds 7-2

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June 9, 2017

Justin Turner came off the disabled list and hit a 2-run homer in the 1st inning, as the Dodgers dominated the Reds 7-2 on Friday night at Chavez Ravine.

Enrique Hernandez had a solo shot and Franklin Gutierrez added a 2-run single, as the Boys in Blue won their 2nd straight game.

“It just feels good to be back in there,” Turner said. “I used Cody Bellinger’s bat. There must be home runs in it.”

The Dodgers got 5 solid innings from Rich Hill, who improved to 3-2 on the season. He allowed just 1 run on 2 hits.

Kenta Maeda pitched the final four innings for LA out of the bullpen. He retired his first nine Reds until Joey Votto led off the ninth with his 17th home run. Maeda allowed three hits, all in the ninth, did not walk a batter and struck out six. He was credited the save.

Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzales, and Yasmani Grandal were all held out of the starting lineup for rest. Puig came into the game in the 6th inning, and batted twice, but was 0-2.

Alex Wood (6-0, 1.69 ERA) is scheduled to come off the DL Saturday and take his 23 1/3- scoreless-inning streak against the Reds. Asher Wojciechowski (1-0, 4.50 ERA), is scheduled to make his third start of the season for Cincinnati.

Angels Take Down Astros

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June 9, 2017

Cameron Maybin came off the disabled listed and came up with three hits and a career-high four steals, as the Angels defeated the Astros 9-4 on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.

“I just really enjoy just creating some havoc out there, putting some pressure on the guys,” Maybin said. “I’ve always been pretty good at getting bags and tonight they just didn’t do a great job of holding me and I got some really good jumps out there.”

Matt Shoemaker improved to 6-3 after pitching 7 strong innings, and Martin Maldonado added a 2-run homer in the 7th inning. Kole Calhoun also had three RBI, as the Halos won for the third time in four games.

Houston starter Brad Peacock (3-1) took the loss, allowing a season-high seven hits and tied a season high with four runs in just three innings.

Maybin singled with no outs in fourth, stole second base and later advanced to third on an error by third baseman Bregman. The Angels extended to the lead to 5-2 when he scored on a single by Calhoun.

Shoemaker had retired 13 straight before Marwin Gonzalez singled with one out in the seventh. Bregman followed with his homer to left field to cut the lead to 8-4. Shoemaker yielded seven hits and four runs while striking out four.

Ricky Nolasco (2-6, 5.05 ERA) will pitch for Los Angeles on Saturday. Mike Fiers (3-2, 4.84) is set to start for Houston.

Angels Rally To Beat Tigers

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June 8, 2017

Erick Young Jr. had three hits and scored three runs, as the Angels rallied to beat the Tigers 11-4 on Thursday afternoon Comerica Park.

The Halos trailed 4-1 heading into the 5th inning, but they rallied for four runs to take the lead. Albert Pujols hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Andrelton Simmons, which broke the tie and gave the Angels the lead for good.

The Angels exploded for 6 more runs in the 7th. With the bases loaded, CJ Cron delivered a 2-run single, scoring Simmons and Kole Calhoun.

Moments later Young Jr delivered a run scoring single, Danny Espinosa drove in two more with another single, followed by Simmons RBI single.

JC Ramirez got the win, improving to 6-4 on the season. He gave up 4 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings of work.

Michael Fulmer took the loss, falling to 6-4 for the Tigers. He yielded 5 runs on 9 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work.

The Angels now travel to Houston for a 3-game set with the Astros beginning Friday. RHP Matt Shoemaker (5-3, 4.12 ERA), who is 4-1 in his last five starts, pitches the opener. Brad Peacock (3-0, 2.30 ERA) goes for the Astros.

Lonzo Ball Works Out For The Lakers

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June 7, 2017

Lonzo Ball worked out for the Lakers on Wednesday morning at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo. The workout involved only Ball and no other prospects. It was held in front of Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka, Luke Walton, and other Laker front office executives.

Afterward, Ball was greeted to a swarm of media members, who bombarded him with 8 minutes of questions. The former UCLA and Chino Hills High School point guard re-iterated his desire to play for the Lakers.

“Of course,” he said. “It’s home.” However, Ball did indicate that he would play for any team if the Lakers did not select him with the #2 pick in the draft later this month.

“I’ll go to any team and just do what I do,” Ball said. “Play basketball.”

Despite recent speculation that the Lakers have interest in Kansas’ forward Josh Jackson or Kentucky guard De’Aaron, multiple NBA sources indicated that Ball is still the favorite to be selected by the Lakers with their #2 pick.

Ball spent Tuesday evening dining with Johnson and other members of the Laker brass. After his workout, he was scheduled to have lunch with the Buss family on Wednesday afternoon.

Ball was also not accompanied by his father Lavar, who has made headlines recently with the media. When asked about his father, Lonzo explained that there is nothing to be concerned about.

“They said they love him. That’s about it.” He went on to say that this isn’t unfamiliar territory for him either.

“They said that about me in high school, they said that about me in college,” Ball said. “I don’t think it will affect me.”

The 6-foot-6 point guard averaged 14.6 points, 7.6 assists and 6.0 rebounds in his lone season with the Bruins, while leading them into the Sweet 16 against Kentucky.

“They need a leader,” Ball said when asked why the Lakers should draft him. “They need a point guard. I feel like I can fill that hole.”

Members of the Laker front office will travel to Sacramento on Thursday to watch Jackson workout for them. A workout with Fox is schedule for next week.

Kershaw Bests Strasberg & Dodgers Win

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June 7, 2017

Yasmani Grandal came through with an RBI double in the 6th inning, and Clayton Kershaw outdueled Stephen Strasberg with seven strong innings, as the Dodgers edged the Nationals 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Chavez Ravine.

Kershaw improved to 8-2 on the season, allowing just three hits while striking out nine batters. The only run he allowed was a solo homer by Ryan Zimmerman in the 2nd inning.

Pedro Baez came recorded the first two outs of the 8th inning, then Kenley Jansen recorded the final four outs of the game for his 10th save in 10 opportunities.

Strasberg was brilliant as well, despite falling to 7-2. He allowed three hits while striking out eight Dodgers in six innings of work. However, LA finally broke through against him in that 6th inning.

With two outs, Corey Seager hit a solo homer 422-feet over the center field wall. The next batter was Adrian Gonzales, who appeared to strikeout, but was able to reach 1st base safely on a pass ball. He would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch, setting the stage for Grandal to bring him home with a double into the left center field gap.

The Nationals had a great chance to tie the game in the 8th inning, but the Dodgers escaped with the lead.

Trea Turner lead off the inning with a triple. Ryan Raburn struck out, then Baez snagged a ball hit off the bat off Bryce Harper, catching Turner in a rundown. Jansen came in to retire Zimmerman on another comebacker.

In the 9th, Jansen worked around a lead off single from Daniel Murphy, who later stole 2nd base, to end the Nationals final threat.

Jansen is having a remarkable start to the season. He has now appeared in 23 games this season, pitching 24 1/3 innings. He has an ERA of 1.11, a WHIP of 0.66, 42 strikeouts, and has not walked a batter.

The Dodgers will now have an off day, then begin a 3-game set on Friday night against the Reds at the Ravine. Rich Hill (2-2, 4.15 ERA) gets the start for LA. Amir Garrett (3-4, 7.17 ERA) will go for Cincy.

Tigers Shut Down Angels 4-0

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June 7, 2017

Buck Farmer allowed just three hits in 6 2/3 innings, and Justin Upton hit a 3-run homer, as the Tigers shutout the Angels 4-0 on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.

Farmer has not allowed a run in either of his two starts, and outdueled Alex Meyer, who also pitch well for the Halos.

Meyer allowed three hits in six strong innings of work, but fell to 2-3 on the season. He walked four and struck out nine, however, he allowed an unearned run in the third. A hit batter, a walk and an error loaded the bases with nobody out. Victor Martinez bounced into a double play, resulting in the first run of the game.

“I can’t walk that many guys, and it is something I need to fix,” Meyer said. “I thought I did a really good job of limiting hits, but I want to do both.”

Upton’s blast to left field added some insurance for the Tigers in the 8th, which was his 12th of the season.

The Halos got three singles on the night, and couldn’t even get a man to second base. They fell two games below .500 on the season.

The Angels and Tigers will play the rubber game of the 3-game set on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park. JC Ramirez (5-4, 4.11 ERA) will be on the mound for the Halos. Michael Fulmer (6-3, 3.00 ERA) goes for Detroit.