OC Register: Production throughout Angels’ lineup creates cushion for bullpen in victory over Mariners

[AngelsWin.com]

SEATTLE — The Angels’ 7-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday night provided a tidy summation of what they couldn’t do last season.

The bottom of the order strung together a couple of rallies to produce runs early in the game, and they scored three late insurance runs on a Taylor Ward two-run homer in the eighth inning and a Brandon Drury RBI double in the ninth.

After Angels relievers had held a one-run lead for seven outs in the fifth, sixth and seventh, the Angels suddenly made the lead big enough that the Angels didn’t even have a save situation for Carlos Estevez in the ninth.

The Angels improved to 3-1, with enough encouraging signs throughout the night to pick up starter Reid Detmers when he wasn’t at his best.

Shohei Ohtani gave the Angels the lead on a 431-foot two-run homer in the fifth, his second homer in as many games. Too often last season the Angels’ only offense came on homers by Ohtani or Mike Trout.

This time, Ohtani’s homer came after the Angels had scored single runs in the second and fourth, both times with rallies produced by three hits from the bottom five hitters in the lineup.

No. 8 hitter Luis Rengifo drove in both runs with singles. Rengifo, who said his approach has improved since he spent so much time with José Altuve in the World Baseball Classic, also drew his fifth walk of the young season in the eighth. He was aboard for Ward’s homer.

Suddenly there was breathing room for an Angels’ bullpen that last year was regularly pressed to get nine or 12 outs with a one-run lead. Ryan Tepera, Matt Moore and Jimmy Herget each held the one-one run lead on Monday, and then José Quijada and Estévez worked with the added cushion.

Estévez, who had started warming up before Drury spoiled the save situation by padding the lead to four, finished what Detmers started.

Detmers has improved the velocity of all of his pitches, giving reason to believe that he might be primed for a performance even better than his 3.77 ERA in 25 starts in his rookie year.

Detmers was throwing harder on Monday, with a fastball that averaged 95.3 mph and a slider that was 90.0 – up from 93.2 and 86.3 – but his command was lacking.

Detmers walked three and he gave up four hits, including three doubles. The Mariners scored three runs.

It wasn’t all his fault, though. Third baseman Gio Urshela made an error on a routine throw, leading to one of the runs being unearned. One of the doubles Detmers allowed was on a well-placed slider and another was softly hit. Detmers also struck out seven.

More to come on this story.

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[ten ocho recon scout]

Obviouslywe haven't seen very much yet from Renfroe, Ushela, etc. Ohoppe is going to be a rookie, etc etc.

But what a change so far. Not sitting through 2 innings of easy outs from guys who you have zero expectations from to begin with, waiting for Trout and Ohtani to hit again.

Personally I'm interested in Renfroe and Urshela. Not to be stars but to be solid. 

Ward and Rengifo I think are going to quietly make the offense whole. 

It's early but hard not to look forward to the next 6 months with this lineup.

[Angels 1961]

Any word on Walsh? What happens to Lamb when Walsh returns? Same when Stassi comes back. 

[Jeff Fletcher]

1 hour ago, Angels 1961 said:

Any word on Walsh? What happens to Lamb when Walsh returns? Same when Stassi comes back. 

Walsh is undergoing treatment at a facility in Utah. They said he’s making progress but there’s no timetable. 
 

Stassi is still dealing with his family situation. 
 

If both showed up ready to play tomorrow, I’m guessing they would DFA Lamb and send down Wantz to go with 3 catchers. 
 

But neither is showing up tomorrow, so we don’t need to worry about it. Stuff will happen 

[Angels 1961]

3 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Walsh is undergoing treatment at a facility in Utah. They said he’s making progress but there’s no timetable. 
 

Stassi is still dealing with his family situation. 
 

If both showed up ready to play tomorrow, I’m guessing they would DFA Lamb and send down Wantz to go with 3 catchers. 
 

But neither is showing up tomorrow, so we don’t need to worry about it. Stuff will happen 

I hope they do not lose Lamb.

[Angels 1961]

3 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Walsh is undergoing treatment at a facility in Utah. They said he’s making progress but there’s no timetable. 
 

Stassi is still dealing with his family situation. 
 

If both showed up ready to play tomorrow, I’m guessing they would DFA Lamb and send down Wantz to go with 3 catchers. 
 

But neither is showing up tomorrow, so we don’t need to worry about it. Stuff will happen 

Wish nothing but best for Walsh.

[Dave Saltzer]

6 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

Walsh is undergoing treatment at a facility in Utah. They said he’s making progress but there’s no timetable. 
 

Stassi is still dealing with his family situation. 
 

If both showed up ready to play tomorrow, I’m guessing they would DFA Lamb and send down Wantz to go with 3 catchers. 
 

But neither is showing up tomorrow, so we don’t need to worry about it. Stuff will happen 

Is there any way to get us more information about what this "facility" is or does? Not being political, but it feels very much like a Fetterman situation.

[Jeff Fletcher]

6 hours ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Is there any way to get us more information about what this "facility" is or does? Not being political, but it feels very much like a Fetterman situation.

He’s being treated for insomnia and headaches. I don’t know any more and it’s not really my business to ask for details. I’m sure when he gets back he will tell us what he wants.