OC Register: Angels’ Lucas Giolito allows 9 runs in blowout loss to the Braves

[AngelsWin.com]

ATLANTA — Lucas Giolito’s mere presence on the mound in an Angels uniform was a strong statement about the club’s intention to push for the playoffs.

This wasn’t what anyone expected to see from Giolito, though.

Giolito was blistered for nine runs in the Angels’ 12-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday afternoon.

In two starts since the Angels acquired him from the Chicago White Sox last week, Giolito has allowed 12 runs in nine innings. He pitched well enough to win if the Angels had given him any run-support Friday in Toronto, but this game was a nightmare.

Giolito gave up a three-run homer when he threw Ronald Acuña Jr. a fastball down the middle in the third inning. In the fourth, he walked a batter, hit a batter and then gave up two singles.

Austin Riley’s two-run homer and Matt Olson’s solo shot buried the Angels.

It was the disappointing end to a nine-game trip that began with such promise. The Angels won all three in Detroit, which was where they were they enjoyed the “buzz,” in manager Phil Nevin’s words, of the deal for Giolito and reliever Reynaldo López.

Although the Angels lost two of three in Toronto, they won the last game and hours later bulked up their lineup with the additions of first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk.

Their hopes peaked after winning the first game of the series against the Braves, who have the best record in the majors.

Little went right in the final two, though, sending the Angels home with a 5-4 record on the trip and a 56-53 overall record.

Although the final game was decided by Lucas Giolito’s rough start, the Angels also missed some early opportunities before it got out of hand. They wasted a leadoff single in the second. In the third, they scored a run to pull within 3-1 and had runners at the corners with one out, but Eduardo Escobar hit into a double play.

The best news for the Angels was that right-hander Jaime Barría handled the final 4 1/3 innings, allowing the rest of the Angels relievers to be fresh heading into the next series against the Seattle Mariners, one of the teams the Angels are fighting for a playoff spot.

More to come on this story.

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[ELEVEN]

Really excited about that Giolito trade rn

[Torridd]

I envision this being his worst start with us and I'm glad he got it out of the way early.

[gurn67]

30 minutes ago, Torridd said:

I envision this being his worst start with us and I'm glad he got it out of the way early.

He's been really solid in 19 of his 23 starts with an ERA of 2.74. He's been horrible in 4. Unfortunately, today was one of those.

[Angel Oracle]

[Revad]

2 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

As the games go by…. We need a 5-2 homestead.

[Torridd]

1 hour ago, Revad said:

As the games go by…. We need a 5-2 homestead.

If the Angels hit well, let's say, averaging 4 or more runs, I think we can do that. 

[Revad]

1 hour ago, Torridd said:

If the Angels hit well, let's say, averaging 4 or more runs, I think we can do that. 

We’re owed a regression to the mean on runners in scoring position, no doubt.  But how will the starters do against all these over .500 teams.

[gurn67]

53 minutes ago, Revad said:

We’re owed a regression to the mean on runners in scoring position, no doubt.  But how will the starters do against all these over .500 teams.

They can't keep hitting this poorly with RISP. At some point they have to start hitting in the upper .200's as you said to balance out the poor showing so far. These things normally go in cycles. If they don't then it will be just another season of not playing meaningful games in September. They really need to get 3 out of 4 against the Mariners. Almost every team that make the playoffs have a month where they win at least 19 games in a month. They need a prolonged stretch like that.