Angels Drop Fifth Straight Game

I'm watching games mostly on the weekends, but I had a chance to switch on last night's game, and the Angels got buried from the get go. I was ruminating last season on the hopeful possibility that the Angels would fire Mike Scioscia, but to no avail. Maybe we'll see a shakeup this year. It's long overdue. This ties the team's worst start in franchise history, a mark that's been held for 52 years.

See, "Angels fall to Astros, 5-0, for fifth straight loss":

Just when it looked as if the Angels couldn't sink any lower, they hit rock bottom with a thud Friday in a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros.

These are the same Astros who lost 213 games the last two seasons; the same Astros whose $22-million payroll is less than the free-spending Angels pay the right side of their infield.

These are the same Angels who started the season with World Series aspirations, then started Friday's game with five All-Stars in their lineup.

It should have been a rout — and it was, with the Astros scoring three times in the first inning while the Angels failed to get a runner past first base all night.

The loss was the Angels' fifth straight, leaving them winless on their first homestand of the season. At 2-8, they not only have the American League's worst record but they've equaled a 52-year-old mark for the worst start in franchise history.

And if all that wasn't embarrassing enough, the game ended with Josh Hamilton forgetting how many outs there were, allowing himself to be doubled off first base on Mark Trumbo's foulout.

Afterward Angel Manager Mike Scioscia didn’t have to think long to sum up his team’s problems.

"It’s pretty simple. We’re not pitching and we’re getting behind early," Scioscia said. "When you get behind early it really gives the other team a chance to match up, to use their  bullpen. Gives their starter some breathing room."

More at that top link.