Angels 3 - Orioles 0: Eaten Alive by a Rally Monkey

Coming into the game we were told that it would be a great pitcher's duel. That was pretty much the case as Jered Weaver looked great against a hapless O's lineup and Jason Hammel was solid, but struggled late. The story of the game however was the Angels pitching staff which left no doubts as they easily plowed through the Oriole lineup. You can't really get mad at the Orioles though because Weaver is such a great pitcher, but it is frustrating to watch a night like this.

Chris Davis reached in the first with two outs, thanks to a ball that went right through the legs of Howie Kendrick who was playing the shift. Adam Jones would strike out though with Davis at second as he swung at a 0-2 fastball that was over his shoulders.

With two outs in the second, Wilson Betemit roped one down the right field line, it looked like he might be thrown out at second, but Torii Hunter came up and threw the ball to Jared Weaver who was crouched, minding his own business by the mound. In his very first Major League at bat Joe Mahoney made Weaver throw some pitches but flew out to right field to end the inning. After this the Orioles would have almost no chances to score.

Hammel started off with a great first that ended with making Albert Pujols look foolish.

In the second, Hammel continued to pitch well. He made Mark Trumbo look silly on an up and in fastball. But with two outs he walked Alberto Callaspo. He then hit Howie Kendrick to put two on with two outs. He got out by getting a one pitch flyout from Erick Aybar.

Dino started off the third by taking the count full and then knocking a single right back up the middle, great result to a great at bat. Avery struck out and then Andino got caught stealing as the Angels called a pitchout, the throw from Wilson was not a good one, but it beat Andino, barely. Hardy ended the inning by striking out.

Bobby Wilson started the bottom of the third with a single to bring up Mike Trout. Hammel walked Trout on 4 pitches, putting himself in serious trouble. He fought back and got Hunter to strike out. He got Pujols to fly out to deep left, Wilson tagged up from second and Avery made the smart play and threw in to second base. Kendry Morales bounced out to second and Hammel escaped the jam.

Trumbo led off the fourth with a single past Wilson Betemit and Xavier Avery couldn't come up with the ball cleanly allowing Trumbo to reach second to lead off the inning. Callaspo drove one to center allowing Trumbo to tag up and reach third base. Kendrick then knocked a single up the middle past the drawn in infield, putting the Angels on top 1-0. Aybar grounded into a forceout, Wilson then send one past a diving Betemit and since no one was covering third, Aybar went to third and got in ahead of a poor throw by Avery. Trout then blooped out to Andino in shallow right to end the inning.

In the 7^th Thome drilled one of the wall in right which he tried to stretch into a double and he got thrown out by Hunter who made a great play on the ball. Thome probably should have stayed at first since he isn't exactly a young, nimble, speedster. That would be the last baserunner for the Orioles.

In the bottom of the 7^th Hammel walked Wilson with one out, Trout grounded into a force out, then Hunter doubled into the right field corner allowing Trout to score the second run.Albert Pujols was then walked intentionally and Morales drove a base hit to right making it 3-0. That would spell the end of the night for Hammel. Pedro Strop got the final out, but not before the Angels grabbed a 3-0 lead off of Hammel, more than enough for a win.

The O's would roll over 1,2,3 in the 8^th against Weaver.

Dana Eveland came in for a scoreless 1,2,3, 8^th inning thanks in part to a nice play made by Wilson Betemit on a bunt attempt.

In the bottom of the ninth Scott Downs came in to close it out for the Angels. Steve Pearce started out by flying out to right. Hardy took the count to 3-1 before grounding out sharply to third and Davis struck out and the O's lost with a whimper.

Tomorrow afternoon the O's will try to score a run and even the series up before heading into the All Star Break.