2025 Los Angeles Angels

[TribeTown]

While continuing to play through with the Pirates, I decided to start a Angels rebuild. The Angels won just 73 games last season, lost Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers in free agency, traded away a good chunk of their farm system at the trading deadline in a misguided attempt to make the playoffs, now have one of the worst farm systems in all of baseball, and have 2 large contracts (1 of which is mostly dead weight) that eat up much of their fairly large budget. My one goal is to make the World Series with Mike Trout on the roster. We will see if he can avoid injuries enough to do so.

PRESEASON MOVES

The Angels made three.major trades, two of them blockbusters.

Trade #1: Traded OF Taylor Ward, P Griffin Canning, OF Ben Joyce, and C Dario Laverde to Baltimore in exchange for OF Austin Hays, OF Enrique Bradford, Jr., P Cade Povich, INF Jordan Westburg, and P Alex Pham.

Ward was the best and most established position player on the roster not named Mike Trout. Trading him was not popular with the fan base. Hays will take his place in the OF. The other four players are prospects. Bradford was ranked #5 in the Baltimore farm system, Povich #9, Pham #24. Westburg is no longer a prospect technically after his call up to the Orioles in 2023. Previously, he was the Orioles #6 prospect.

Trade #2 --This was a 3-way trade with Boston and Pittsburgh:

Boston receives P Patrick Sandoval, P Chase Silseth, and OF Jo Adell from Los Angeles.

Pittsburgh receives OF Mickey Moniak from Los Angeles and P Tanner Houck from Boston.

Los Angeles receives P Brayan Bello from Boston and P Quinn Priester, OF Anthony Garcia, 2B Nick Gonzalez and INF/OF Conner Joe from Pittsburgh.

Bello went 12-11 with a 4.24 ERA last year for the Red Sox. The Angels believe the former Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year is their future ace.
Priester is a former top prospect in the Pirates system and made 10 largely unsuccessful starts in 2023. Gonzalez is also close to losing prospect status. A former 1st round draft pick (#7 overall) in 2020, he has fallen in the prospect rankings as his hit tool has not met expectations. Garcia is not considered a top prospect. Joe will bring another veteran major league bat to the Angels lineup. His positional versatility will also be useful.

Trade #3: Traded Jake Marisnick to Miami in exchange for INF Xavier Edwards and INF Cody Morrisette.

Edwards was Miami's #4 prospect before being recalled in September 2023. Morrisette is also a good infield prospect. He ranked as Miami's #20 prospect in 2023.

[TribeTown]

As Opening Day approaches, the Angels have made some improvements to their weak farm system. 3 of the players acquired in the off season are now in the organizations top ten.

Top 10 Prospects:
OF Enrique Bradford (AAA)
INF Kyren Paris (AA)
P Caden Dana (R)
OF Nelson Rada (A)
P Cade Povich (AAA)
P Victor Mederos (AA)
INF Denzer Guzman (A)
P Barrett Kent (R )
P Jack Kochanowicz (A)
P Alex Pham

The Angels claimed RP Nick Mears off of waivers from Colorado at the end of spring training.

OPENING DAY ROSTER

SP: Tyler Anderson, Brayan Bello, Reid Detmers, Jose Suarez, Andrew Wantz

RP: Adam Cimber, Jose Cisnero, Luis Garcia, Jimmy Herget, Matt Moore, Zach Plesac, Jose Soriano, Carlos Estevez

C: Logan O’Hoppe, Matt Thaiss

INF: Charles Leblanc, Miguel Sano, Nolan Schanuel, Brandon Drury, Xavier Edwards, Luis Rengifo, Anthony Rendon, Zach Neto

OF: Austin Hays, Connor Joe, Mike Trout (Rengifo and Drury can play both corner positions, Leblanc can play LF, Schanuel can play RF, and Edwards can play CF).

IL: P Samuel Bachman, OF Jason Martin, P Jose Quijada, INF Michael Stefanic, P Robert Stevenson, 1B Evan White.

BNN predicts that the Angels will finish with a 76-86 record, good for 3rd place in the AL West.

[TribeTown]

Game #1 – March 28 – Angels @ Orioles

Starting Lineup
Connor Joe RF
Austin Hays LF
Mike Trout CF
Logan O'Hoppe C
Brandon Drury 2B
Anthony Rendon 3B
Charles Leblanc DH
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Zach Neto SS
Brayan Bello

Opening Day at Camden Yards. Brayan Bello facing Orioles ace Corbin Burnes. Austin Hays singled in his 1st at bat as an Angel, but otherwise Burnes cruised through the 1st inning. Bello did not do so well. The first 3 batters singled, scoring a run. Bello rallied to strike out Anthony Santander, but then Taylor Ward singled to reload the bases and Ryan O’Hearn followed with a 2 run double to make it 3-0. Ryan Mountcastle singled to score 2 more, making the score 5-0. Cedric Mullins doubled before Ramon Urias struck out and Jackson Holliday (the 10th man to bat in the inning) grounded out to 2B. Bello pitched well after that point until surrendering 4 runs in the 5th.

The Angels got on the board in the top of the 6th when O’Hoppe and Drury drew walks. Rendon followed with a double to left-center to make it 9-2 and drive Burnes from the game.

Zach Plesac relieved Bello to start the 6th. The Orioles loaded the bases (helped by an error by Schanuel at 1B). Plesac retired the next 2 batters before surrendering a grand slam to O’Hearn.

Final Score: Baltimore 13, Los Angeles 2
WP: C. Burnes (1-0)
LP: B. Bello (0-1)
Record: 0-1

TRADE: Traded OF Aaron Hicks and minor league C Kevin Briggerman to Kansas City in exchange for OF Nelson Velasquez. Assigned Velasquez to AAA Salt Lake.

The details were worked out the day before but not finalized until the game was underway. Xavier Edwards took Hicks’ spot on the roster.

Kansas City acquired Velazquez at the trade deadline last year. In 2022, he was ranked as Chicago's #15 prospect The Puerto Rican flashed some power, hitting 14 home runs with the Royals. When he hits the ball, he hits it a ton. But he has poor contact ability and strikes out nearly 30% of the time. He will play at AAA for now, where the Angels hope he can improve his contact rate.

[TribeTown]

March 29 Off Day

Game #2 – March 30 – Angels at Orioles

LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Austin Hays LF
Mike Trout CF
Logan O'Hoppe C
Brandon Drury 3B
Anthony Rendon DH
Nolan Schanuel RF
Charles Leblanc 1B
Zach Neto SS
Reid Detmers P

Gunner Henderson reached base when Schanuel dropped a routine flyball to lead off the bottom of the 1st and scored the 1st run of the game when Ryan Mountcastle hit a sacrifice fly. The Angels tied it in the top of the 5th when Neto doubled with one out and Rengifo followed with a RBI single to CF.

The Orioles retook the lead on Taylor Ward’s RBI double in the bottom of the inning. Jose Soriano relieved Detmers after the first 2 batters singled to start the bottom of the 6th. Soriano struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Cedric Mullins to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Gunnar Henderson deposited a Jimmy Herget pitch 408 feet to the flag porch leading off the bottom of the 7th to give the O’s a 3-1 lead.

Neto singled with 1 out in the 9th, but PH Miguel Sano struck out to bring up Hays. Hays hit his 1st home run of the year to right-center to tie the game.

The Halos took the lead in the 11th. With Rendon at 2B as the ghost runner, the Orioles elected to intentionally walk Schanuel. After Connor Joe struck out, Neto doubled (his 3rd hit of the game) into the RF corner to put LA ahead, 5-3. Neto later scored on a Hays single – Hays' 5th hit of the game. The Orioles scored a run on a sac fly in the bottom of the inning, but Matt Moore retired all 3 batters he faced to preserve the win.

Final Score: Los Angeles 6, Baltimore 4 (11 innings)
WP: L. Garcia (1-0)
LP: Y. Cano (0-1)
SV: M. Moore (1)
Record: 1-1

[TribeTown]

Game #3 – March 31 – Angels @Orioles

LINEUP
Rengifo RF
Hays LF
Trout DH
O’Hoppe C
Drury 2B
Rendon 3B
Thaiss 1B
Neto SS
Edwards CF
Anderson P

The Angels drew 1st blood. Rengifo led the game off with a double. After Hays struck out, Trout singled through the middle to make it 1-0. The Orioles quickly took the lead when Adley Rutchman hit a 2 run home run in the bottom of the inning. The O’s scored 2 more times before the inning was over.

After Neto singled, Rengifo hit a 2 run homer to RF to make it 4-3 in the 2nd. The Halos took the lead on Hays' 2 out, 2 run single in the 4th.

Anderson pitched well after the 1st inning. Jose Cisnero relieved him to start the 6th. After retiring the 1st batter, Cisnero gave up a single, double, and a 3 run home run to RF to Cedric Mullins. The Orioles scored 3 more times off Jose Soriano in the 7th.

Final Score: Baltimore 10, Los Angeles 5
WP: D. Coulombe (1-0)
LP: J. Cisnero (0-1)
Record: 1-2

TRADE: In a deal that has been in the works since the final day of spring training, the Angels dealt Miguel Sano and minor league OF Orlando Martinez to Washington in exchange for OF Victor Robles.

Robles was once considered in of the game’s top prospects, but has been injured a lot and underperformed in his time with the Nationals. He is athletic and has good tools and the Angels hope a change of scenery will help him. He will most serve as a pinch runner, defensive replacement, and spell Mike Trout in CF. The Angels intend to DH Trout some of the time in hopes of keeping him healthy.

TEAM NEWS: Austin Hays was named AL Player of the Week after hitting .625 (10-16) with 1 HR and 5 RBIs.

[TribeTown]

Game #4 – April 1 – Angels @ Marlins

STARTING LINEUP
Rengifo 2B
Hays LF
Trout CF
O’Hoppe C
Rendon 3B
Leblanc DH
Schanuel 1B
Neto SS
Joe RF
Suarez P

Josh Bell unloaded on a Jose Suarez fastball (480 feet to be exact) with 2 outs in the bottom of the 1st inning to give Miami the lead. A Schanuel sac fly in the 2nd tied the game. Tim Anderson put the Marlins back on top with an RBI double down the LF line in the 3rd.

Trout walked and O’Hoppe singled to start the 4th. After Rendon popped out to 2B, Leblanc delivered a game tying single.

Joe walked and Rengifo doubled to start the 5th. Hays struck out but Trout singled to left to give the Halos a 3-2 lead. George Soriano then threw a wild pitch to score Rengifo. O’Hoppe walked and Burch Smith relieved Soriano. Rendon greeted him with a single to RF. Eric Young, Sr, (3B coach) held Trout at 3B as the ball was shallow and Jesus Sanchez has a strong arm. With the bases loaded, Leblanc had a chance to blow the game open. He delivered, sharply singling through the middle to score 2 more and make it a 6-2 game.

The Angels hoped to coax Suarez through the 5th. He had pitched effectively, but with 73 pitches already thrown he was on a short leash. After back-to-back singles by Jazz Chilsolm and Tim Anderson and the dangerous Josh Bell coming to the plate, the Angels summoned Jimmy Herget from the bullpen. Herget walked Bell and surrendered a 2 run single to Jake Burger. Luis Arraez singled through the middle to make it 6-5. With runners at 2nd and 3rd and nobody out, the Angels turned to Luis Garcia. Garcia retired Bryan De La Cruz on a popup to shallow RF for the 1st out, struck out Jesus Sanchez, and struck out Christian Bethancourt swinging to end the inning without further damage.

The problem for the Angels is that the bullpen is short staffed tonight. Only Zach Plesac, Carlos Estevez, and 5th starter Andrew Wantz (scheduled to start on Wednesday) have fresh arms. Adam Cimber is available although not at full strength. Jose Soriano and Jose Cisnero are not available, and Matt Moore is reporting a sore shoulder. For that reason, Garcia returned to the mound to pitch a 2nd inning. He struck out the first 2 batters, surrendered a single to Anderson, then struck Bell out swinging. A pretty good night for the Dominican fireballer.

The Angels turned to Zach Plesac to pitch the 7th – not an accustomed role for the long reliever and one time starter. Burger tattooed a fastball but fortunately it died just in front of the warning track in LF. Arraez singled sharply to LF. De La Cruz flew out to deep left center and Sanchez grounded out to 1B. Cimber navigated the 8th and Estevez retired the side in order in the 9th to preserve the win.

Final Score: Los Angeles 6, Miami 5
WP: L. Garcia (2-0)
LP: G. Soriano (0-2)
SV: C. Estevez (1)
Record: 2-2

TRANSACTIONS: After the game, the Angels Optioned Jimmy Herget to AAA Salt Lake City and placed Nick Mears (waiver claim) on the active roster. The Angels also learned that Matt Moore will miss the next 5 weeks with shoulder inflammation. They placed him on the 15 Day Injured List and purchased the contract of veteran journeyman Adam Kolarek from AAA. The 35 year old has pitched part of 6 seasons in the majors, but did not not see much time in the big leagues in 2023 (appearing in only 5 games, 1 with the Dodgers and 4 with the Mets). His best season was 2019 when he went 6-3 with 1 save and a 3.27 ERA in 80 games between Tampa Bay and the Dodgers.

[TribeTown]

Game #5 – April 2 – Angels @ Marlins

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo RF
Austin Hays LF
Brandon Drury 2B
Logan O’Hoppe C
Charles Leblanc 1B
Anthony Rendon 3B
Zach Neto SS
Connor Joe DH
Victor Robles CF
Brayan Bello P

Trout got the night off and Robles got his 1st start with the Angels. Bello hoped to pitch much better than his disastrous 1st start, in which he was shelled.

The Angels took a 1-0 lead when Rengifo led off the top of the 1st inning with a walk, Hays singled, and Drury singled. Rengifo scored but Drury was out trying to go to 2B. The Halos scored again in the 2nd on Rengifo’s RBI fielder's choice

Nick Fortes tied the game with a 2 run single in the bottom of the 2nd. Nick Gordon singled later in the inning to give the Marlins a 3-2 lead. Luis Arraez followed with a triple that scored 2.

Bello came back out in the 3rd and gave up hits to the first 2 batters, before Nick Mears relieved him. One scored, closing the book on another ugly performance.

Rengifo made a highlight reel catch, taking a home run away from Arraez in the 4th. Mears pitched 2 scoreless innings before giving way to Zach Plesac, who allowed 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th. Jose Cisnero relieved in the 6th and surrendered a 2 run bomb to Jesus Sanchez, making it a 10-2 game. The Marlins scored 2 more in the 7th. Adam Kolarek made his Angels debut in the 8th and retired the side in order, the only time the Marlins were retired 1-2-3 during the game.

So ended an awful night for the Halos.

Final Score: Miami 12, Los Angeles 2
WP: J. Luzardo (2-0)
LP: B. Bello (0-2)
Record: 2-3

TRANSACTIONS: Activated OF Jason Martin from the IL. Optioned Martin to AAA Salt Lake.

Optioned Jose Cisnero to AAA Salt Lake. Recalled Amir Garrett. Cisnero has been lit up so far this season, but this move was primarily made because a fresh arm was needed in the bullpen.

[TribeTown]

Game #6 – April 3 – Angels @ Marlins

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Austin Hays LF
Mike Trout CF
Brandon Drury 3B
Charles Leblanc DH
Connor Joe RF
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Matt Thaiss C
Xavier Edwards SS
Andrew Wantz P

Andrew Wantz took the hill as the Halos looked to complete a sweep in Miami. This is a big moment for Wantz, who has worked as a reliever and sometime opener in his previous 3 seasons, although.he has pitched as a starter in his minor league career. This opportunity resulted from the Angels trading away Griffin Canning and Patrick Sandoval, but with Quinn Priester and Cade Povich waiting in the wings at AAA, it that chance may not last very long if he struggles.

Wantz navigated the 1st inning but Christian Bethancourt unloaded a 2 run bomb deep into CF in the 2nd.

Edwards beat out a nubber down the 3B line to lead off the 3rd and went to 3B in a Rengifo single. Hays hit into a 6-4-3 double play scoring Edwards to make it 2-1.

A. J. Puk hit Drury to start the 3rd. After Puk struck out Leblanc and Joe, Schanuel got a hold of a slider which just cleared the RF wall to give the Angels a 3-2 lead. It was a good moment for Schanuel, who had been struggling at the plate during the season’s 1st week (even better, it was against a LH pitcher).

The Marlins tied it on Jonah Bride’s RBI triple. Bride then scored on a Wantz balk.

Connor Joe came through in the clutch, delivering an RBI double into the RF corner to tie it in the 6th. Schanuel followed with a sharp single to RF to put the Halos back on top.

With only 2 fresh arms in the bullpen, the Angels desperately wanted to coax Wantz through the bottom of the 6th, but the first 2 batters singled and Gordon walked in 4 pitches. That brought Adam Cimber into the game to face Bethancourt, who doubled home 2 runs to put Miami back in front. Cimber then retired Bride on a ground ball to short. Jazz Chilsolm hit a sharp grounder to 1B. Schanuel made an outstanding play to throw Nick Gordon trying to score from 3B. Cimber then struck out Tim Anderson to end the inning.

Rengifo doubled down the LF line with 1 out in the top of the 7th, but neither Hays nor Trout could bring him home. A Rengifo error at 2B opened the door for Miami to score again in the 7th, making it 7-5. Amir Garrett pitched the 8th, allowing 1 run.

Final Score: Miami 8, Los Angeles 5
WP: A. Maldonado (1-0)
LP: A. Wantz (0-1)
SV: T. Scott (2)
Record: 2-4

TRANSACTIONS: Activated INF Michael Stefanic from the IL. Optioned Stefanic to AAA Salt Lake.

The Angels claimed P Blake Treinen, who had been placed on waivers (for some reason) by the Dodgers. Added Treinen to the active roster and designated Amir Garrett for assignment.

NEWS: Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen hit home run #300 in the Pirates 5-1 loss to Washington.

April 4 – Off Day

[TribeTown]

Game #7 – April 5 – Red Sox @ Angels

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo RF
Austin Hays LF
Mike Trout CF
Logan O'Hoppe C
Brandon Drury 2B
Anthony Rendon 3B
Charles Leblanc 1B
Nolan Schanuel DH
Zach Neto SS
Reid Detmers P

Reid Detmers gets the ball in the Angels Home Opener. Detmers and Garrett Whitlock were locked in a pitcher’s duel until Rafael Devers homered to Raf with 2 outs in the top of the 4th inning.

Drury tripled to lead off the bottom of the 5th and Rendon followed with a broke bat flair over the drawn in infield to tie the game.

Rendon singled to lead off the bottom of the 7th and, after Leblanc flew out to LF, pinch hitter Connor Joe singled. Neto grounded out (4-3) with the runners advancing to 2nd and 3rd. Rengifo walked to load the bases and Hays delivered in the clutch, hitting a line drive single to give the Halos the lead.

Luis Garcia relieved Detmers to start the 8th and retired the side in order. Carlos Estevez pitched a 1-2-3 9th for the save.

Reid Detmers was outstanding. He pitched 7 innings of 3 hit ball. He allowed the 1 run, struck out 7, and walked 0.

Final Score: Los Angeles 2, Boston 1
WP: R. Detmers (1-0)
LP: G. Whitlock (0-1)
SV: C. Estevez (2)
Record: 3-4

[TribeTown]

Game #8 – April 6 – Red Sox @ Angels

STARTING LINEUP
Connor Joe RF
Austin Hays LF
Mike Trout DH
Logan O'Hoppe C
Anthony Rendon 3B
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Zach Neto SS
Xavier Edwards 2B
Victor Robles CF
Tyler Anderson P

Triston Casas and Tyler O’Neill hit back-to-back homers to start the game and Rafael Devers singled to center. Trevor Story singled home another run before Anderson retired the side (he struck out 3 batters in the inning around the 5 base hits). Casas hit his 2nd home run of the game (a 459 foot bomb) in the 4th to make it 4-0. O’Neill scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.

Boston added another run (now 6-0) off Zach Plesac in the 6th. Adam Kolarek relieved him with 1 out in the 8th and surrendered 2 runs on 4 hits while only retiring 1 batter. Jose Soriano was even worse. Masataka Yoshida tattooed a Soriano slider for a 3 run home run to make it 11-0.

Final Score: Boston 11, Los Angeles 0
WP: K. Crawford (1-0)
LP: T. Anderson (0-1)
Record: 3-5

[TribeTown]

Game #9 – April 7 – Red Sox @ Angels

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Austin Hays LF
Mike Trout DH
Logan O'Hoppe C
Anthony Rendon 3B
Charles Leblanc 1B
Zach Neto SS
Connor Joe RF
Victor Robles CF
Jose Suarez P

The Red Sox loaded the bases in the top of the 1st and Trevor Story singled to left to score 2 and give the Red Sox the lead. Even worse, Hays had to leave the game with an injury after fielding the ball and trying to throw Tyler O’Neill out at the plate. Xavier Edwards took Hays’ place in LF. Jarren Duran followed with a single to make it 3-0. Durran singled again in the 3rd to make it 4-0.

Chase Silseth made the start for Boston against his former team. He retired the first 6 batters he faced before surrendering a single in a misplayed popup to Zach Neto leading off the bottom of the 3rd. Connor Joe immediately hit into a double play.

Trout’s double in the bottom of the 4th scored Edwards to get the Angels on the board. Leblanc singled later in the inning to score Trout to make it 4-2.

Nick Mears replaced Suarez to start the 6th. After a scoreless inning he gave way to Blake Treinen. He gave up a double to O’Neill but got out of the inning. Adam Cimber and Luis Garcia also pitched scoreless innings, but the Angels offense never could get anything going.

Final Score: Boston 4, Los Angeles 2
WP: C. Silseth (1-1)
LP: J. Suarez (0-1)
SV: C. Martin (2)
Record: 3-6

TRANSACTION: Austin Hays will miss 2 weeks with chronic back soreness. He is in the 10 Day Injured List and Nelson Velazquez has been recalled from AAA Salt Lake.

[TribeTown]

Game #10 – April 8 – Rays @ Angels

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo LF
Zach Neto SS
Mike Trout CF
Logan O'Hoppe C
Anthony Rendon 3B
Brandon Drury 2B
Nelson Velazquez RF
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Connor Joe DH
Brayan Bello P

Brayon Bello had another chance to get his season on track. It was a disaster.

The Rays entered the game with a 5 game winning streak. Bello got off to a good start, retiring 6 of the first 7 batters he faced until Jose Siri took him deep to start the 3rd inning. Rene Pinto and Harold Ramirez both singled, then Yandy Diaz crushed a 3 run home run to RF to make it 4-0. Siri delivered a 2 run triple in the 4th and Jose Caballero homered to LF to make it 8-0. Adam Cimber relieved Bello. Cimber **** the Rays down over 2.2 innings, but the Rays added 3 more on a Isaac Paredes bases-clearing triple off of Adam Kolarek in the 8th.

Zach Elfin was dominating, pitching a complete game 4 hitter. He struck out 6 and walked 2.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 11, Los Angeles 0
WP: Z. Eflin (2-1)
LP: B. Bello (0-3)
Record: 3-7

TRANSACTIONS:

Sent P Robert Stevenson to AAA Salt Lake on a rehab assignment.

Optioned Brayan Bello to AAA Salt Lake. Purchased the contract of CL Luke Murphy.

Zach Plesac will take Bello’s spot in the rotation (at least for now).

[TribeTown]

Game #11 – April 9 – Rays @ Angels

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Zach Neto SS
Mike Trout CF
Anthony Rendon DH
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Nelson Velazquez RF
Charles Leblanc LF
Matt Thaiss C
Xavier Edwards 3B
Andrew Wantz P

Wantz made his 2nd start for the Angels. He retired the side in the 1st inning, but Amed Rosario doubled home a run in the top of the 2nd. Brandon Lowe led off the 4th with a home run to make it 2-0. Wantz pitched relatively well before giving way to Nick Mears to start the 6th after throwing 81 pitches.

The Rays loaded the bases against Mears before he retired Jose Siri on a sacrifice fly to RF. Luke Murphy pitched 2 scoreless innings. Josh Lowe homered off Blake Treinen to lead off the 9th.

Trout launched a 459 foot home run to deep LF in the bottom of the 9th, his 1st of the year. After Rendon flew out, Schanuel hit his 2nd home run of the season, a 382 foot shot to RF. Velasquez walked but Leblanc struck out. Connor Joe pinch hit for Edwards and grounded to 3B to end the game.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 4, Los Angeles 2
WP: A. Civale (2-1)
LP: A. Wantz (0-2)
SV: P. Fairbanks (4)
Record: 3-8

TRANSACTION: The Angels claimed P Christopher Sanchez off of waivers from Philadelphia. Sanchez best season with the Phillies was last year when he went 3-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 19 appearances (18 starts).

[TribeTown]

Game #12 – April 10 – Rays @ Angels

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo SS
Connor Joe RF
Mike Trout CF
Logan O'Hoppe C
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Anthony Rendon 3B
Nelson Velazquez LF
Charles Leblanc DH
Brandon Drury 2B
Reid Detmers P

The Rays scored 3 times.in the top of the 3rd inning to take the lead. Trout’s 2 run home run to RF in the bottom of the inning made it 3-2.

The Rays added a run on Jose Caballero’s single in the 4th. Josh Lowe bashed a 443 foot home run to RF to lead off the 5th. That brought Adam Cimber into the game in relief of Detmers. After allowing a single, Alex Jackson took Cimber deep to LF, making the score 7-2. Niko Goodrum added a solo shot later in the inning, and the Rays added another run on a Randy Arozarena single. Luis Garcia surrendered a run in the 8th. It's the 5th time in 12 games that Angels pitching has allowed 10 or more runs.

Rengifo’s 3 run home run in the bottom of the 9th made the score somewhat more respectable.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 10, Los Angeles 5
WP: R. Piepot (2-1)
LP: R. Detmers (1-1)
Record: 3-9

TRANSACTION: Placed Christopher Sanchez on the active roster. Optioned Adam Kolarek to AAA Salt Lake.

PROGRAMMING NOTE: This team has been tough to watch through the first 2 weeks. As they say, it's still early, but so far this team can't pitch, can't hit, and has had some trouble fielding. The Angels believe that Logan O'Hoppe, Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, and Reid Detmers are part of their future core (along with Mike Trout). They still have high hopes for Brayan Bello despite his struggles and demotion to AAA. It’s only a matter of time before Jordan Westburg, Nick Gonzalez, Cade Povich, and Quinn Priester are promoted to the big club, but not yet.

[TribeTown]

Game #13 – April 12 – Angels @ Red Sox

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Zach Neto SS
Mike Trout CF
Logan O'Hoppe C
Nelson Velazquez LF
Brandon Drury 3B
Charles Leblanc DH
Connor Joe 1B
Victor Robles RF
Zach Plesac P

Plesac makes his 1st start of the season. He has appeared in 4 games in relief so far, allowing 3 ER in 8.1 innings. It did not go well. After the Angels went in order vs. Kutter Crawford in the top of the 1st, the Red Sox scored 3 runs before Plesac recorded an out. Boston added 4 more runs in the 2nd and the Angels quickly summoned newcomer Christopher Sanchez from the bullpen. Sanchez allowed still another run before getting out of the inning. Rafael Devers’ 3 run bomb in the 3rd made it 11-0. Boston tacked in 2 more in the 4th.

The Angels managed just 4 hits.

Final Score: Boston 13, Los Angeles 0
WP: K. Crawford (2-0)
LP: Z. Plesac (0-2)
Record: 3-10

[TribeTown]

Game #14 – April 13 – Angels @ Red Sox

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Zach Neto SS
Mike Trout CF
Logan O'Hoppe C
Nelson Velazquez RF
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Anthony Rendon DH
Brandon Drury 3B
Victor Robles LF

The Red Sox scored a run in the bottom of the 1st inning. The Angels took the lead on Drury’s 2 run double in the 2nd. Robles followed with a double in RF corner to make it 3-1. Trout tripled in the 3rd and later scored on a Chase Silseth wild pitch. Schanuel doubled home another run later in the inning, and Rendon followed with a single to score Schanuel to make it a 6-1 game. Red Sox reliever Cooper Criswell balked twice in the 7th to allow 2 more runs to score. O’Hoppe doubled down the LF line in the top of the 9th to make it 9-1.

Anderson pitched 6 innings, allowing just the 1 run. Blake Treinen and Luis Garcia pitched the final 3 innings.

Final Score: Los Angeles 9, Boston 1
WP: T. Anderson (1-1)
LP: C. Silseth (1-2)
Record: 4-10

TRANSACTION: Claimed P Garrett Cleavinger off waivers from Tampa Bay. The 29 year old reliever is an average relief pitcher.

[TribeTown]

Game #15 – April 14 – Angels @ Red Sox

STARTING LINEUP
Victor Robles CF
Zach Neto SS
Mike Trout DH
Logan O'Hoppe C
Nelson Velazquez LF
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Brandon Drury 2B
Charles Leblanc 3B
Connor Joe RF
Jose Suarez P

The Red Sox loaded the bases in the bottom of the 1st inning, but Suarez got out of it by striking out Bobby Dalbec and getting Vaughn Grissom to hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Boston took a 2-0 lead on Tyler O’Neill’s blast over the Green Monster in the 3rd. Logan O'Hoppe tied it with a 2 run single to CF in the top of the 6th.

Jose Suarez pitched well until running into trouble in the 6th. He left the game with a leg injury after giving up a double to Grissom. Luke Murphy entered the game with runners at 2nd and 3rd and 1 out. He got Masataka Yoshida to ground into a 6-2 fielder's choice and struck out Jarren Duran to end the inning.

The game remained tied until the Red Sox had 3 straight hits against Adam Cimber in the bottom of the 9th. Rafael Devers singled home the winning run to give Boston a walk off win.

Final Score: Boston 3, Los Angeles 2
WP: C. Martin (2-0)
LP: A. Cimber (0-2)
Record: 4-11

TRADE: The Angels traded INF Brandon Drury, minor league P Chase Chaney, and minor league P Ryan Langford to the Yankees in exchange for 1B Tyler Hardman. Hardman was a 2020 5th round draft pick. He has plus power and plus speed, and is an adequate defender.

TRANSACTION: Optioned Luke Murphy to AAA Salt Lake. Placed Garrett Cleavinger on the active roster. Recalled Jordan Westburg.

[TribeTown]

Game #16 – April 15 – Angels @ Rays

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Zach Neto SS
Mike Trout CF
Anthony Rendon DH
Nelson Velazquez RF
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Jordan Westburg 3B
Matt Thaiss C
Victor Robles LF
Andrew Wantz P

Harold Ramirez’s grand slam gave Tampa a 4-0 lead in the 1st inning. Issac Paredes followed with a solo home run to LF. Wantz came back out for the 2nd and allowed the first 2 batters to reach base before giving way to Garrett Cleavinger. Cleavinger walked the first 2 batters he faced to force in a run and make it 6-0. Trout then dropped a fly ball to CF, allowing another run to score. Paredes doubled to right scoring 2 more, and Jose Siri hit a sac fly to RF to make it a 10-0 game.

The Angels scored 2 in the 4th on Trout's home run. Ramirez hit his 2nd home run of the day, a 2 run shot, in the bottom of the inning. Schanuel hit his 3rd HR of the season, also a 2 run shot, in the 6th

Final Score: Tampa Bay 14, Los Angeles 4
WP: A. Civale (3-1)
LP: A. Wantz (0-3)
Record: 4-12

[TribeTown]

Game #17 – April 16 – Angels @ Rays

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Charles Leblanc LF
Mike Trout DH
Logan O'Hoppe C
Nelson Velazquez RF
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Jordan Westburg 3B
Zach Neto SS
Victor Robles CF
Reid Detmers P

The Angels took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning when Schanuel walked with 1 out, went to 3B on a Westburg single, and scored on a Neto sac fly. After Robles was hit by a pitch, Rengifo singled to RF, scoring Westburg to make it 2-0. Leblanc then unloaded on a Ryan Piepot changeup, sending it 404 feet into the LF stands.

The Angles made it 6-0 in the 6th when Schanuel led off with a walk and scored on Westburg’s triple to RCF (Westburg just missed a HR, the ball hitting off the top of the fence).

Detmers pitched well but ran into trouble in the 6th. The Rays loaded the bases after 3 straight hits, but Detmers came back to strike out Isaac Paredes, Jose Siri, and Alex Jackson to end the inning. Detmers pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing 6 hits while striking out 9 and walking 1.

The Rays scored a run off Luis Garcia in the 8th.

Final Score: Los Angeles 6, Tampa Bay 1
WP: R. Detmers (2-1)
LP: R. Piepot (2-2)
Record: 5-12

[TribeTown]

Game #18 – April 17 – Angels @ Rays

STARTING LINEUP
Luis Rengifo 2B
Connor Joe RF
Mike Trout CF
Nelson Velazquez LF
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Jordan Westburg DH
Anthony Rendon 3B
Matt Thaiss C
Xavier Edwards SS
Zach Plesac P

The Angels jumped out to an early lead once again as Rengifo singled to lead off the game, stole 2B, and scored on Joe’s double off the RCF wall.

Josh Lowe tied the game with a massive home run (463 feet) to CF off of Plesac. Isaac Paredes’ RBI single later in the inning made it a 2-1 game. Jose Siri followed with a 3 run HR to give the Rays a 5-1 lead.

The Angels got a run back with back-to-back doubles by Rendon and Thaiss in the 2nd. The Rays continued to pour it on in the bottom of the inning when Brandon Lowe unloaded for a 3 run home run off of reliever Christopher Sanchez. Paredes added a 2 run shot of Sanchez in the 5th.

Final Score: Tampa 11, Los Angeles 2
WP: T. Bradley (1-0)
LP: Z. Plesac (0-2)
Record: 5-13

DOWN ON THE FARM:
Good news as Brayan Bello pitched 7 shutout innings in his 1st start for Salt Lake. He allowed 3 hits and struck out 7, but walked 4. Cade Povich also pitched his best game of the year in his last start, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits over 8 innings while striking out 11.