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A's outclassed again by the Angels
By Morris Phillips July 2, 2008 |
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If you're handicapping the race in the AL West, the theme to guide you is clear: go with the money. The differences between the A's and the Angels thus far have been small, but distinct. The Angels have slight advantages in relief pitching, hitting in the clutch and starting pitching. Still the A's have been terrific in all those categories, just not on the Angels level. Why the difference? The Angels have spent big money to maintain veteran talent and depth that the small-market A's can't match. So when those slight differences are added up, the sum result is clear: the Angels have forged a season-high 5 1/2 game lead, after winning the series finale against the A's, 7-4. And this time the Angels flaunted their depth as fifth outfielder Juan Rivera homered to give the Angels the lead in the sixth inning, and their veteran talent, as Francisco Rodriguez notched his major-league leading 34th save. The A's, for the second game in a row, jumped out in front, only to have the Angels rally late. Mark Ellis' single in the sixth scored Rajai Davis and Donnie Murphy to give the A's a 3-2 lead. But Keith Foulke was summoned to protect the lead in the bottom of that frame, and couldn't, as the Angels tied it with Casey Kotchmann's double, then took the lead on Rivera's two-run blast. A's manager, Bob Geren felt Foulke was the right guy for the situation, although he had made only one appearance in the last 10 games. "Last time out he was sharp," Geren said. "His velocity has been pretty good. It's just one pitch that's been getting him." When the A's answered back to close the gap to 5-4, the A's called on Santiago Casilla to keep it close. But he allowed a homer to Erick Aybar in the seventh, and for all intensive purposes, the A's were done. The Angels turned it over to F Rod in the ninth, and he was right on, as he has been all year long. His 34th save ties a major-league record for saves before the All-Star break, and he seems poised to go after the season record of 57 held by Bobby Thigpen. Afterwards, he was asked if he's doing anything different, especially as he approaches an off-season where he will be one of baseball's most coveted free agents. "I've been consistent throughout my career," Rodriguez said. "Right now, it's just 'get it done.' I don't think about records." Angels' starter Joe Saunders picked up his 13th win, while Foulke took the loss. |
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