Tim Lincecum Designated for Assignment

Heh.

I called it last night, "Was That Tim Lincecum's Last Game?"

And indeed it was.

Jeff Fletcher reports, at the O.C. Register, "End of the line? Angels cut Tim Lincecum, ask him to go to minors":

Angels have DFA'd Tim Lincecum.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 6, 2016

#Angels hope Lincecum will go to AAA and work it out. He has the choice of accepting.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 6, 2016

The Angels couldn't let Tim Lincecum keep trying -- and failing -- in the majors any more. They DFA'd him. https://t.co/ZRab6ug6rC

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 6, 2016

SEATTLE – Tim Lincecum’s comeback attempt with the Angels -- one phase of it anyway -- is over.

The Angels designated Lincecum for assignment on Saturday, a day after his ninth start ballooned his ERA to 9.16.

“He hasn’t progressed from his first couple starts,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s regressed a little bit. It’s a matter of understanding his mechanics, getting his release point more consistent. That’s really impossible to work out at the major league level.”

Presumably Lincecum will clear waivers and then he will have the option of accepting the Angels assignment to Triple-A or becoming a free agent.

“We hope he’ll go to Triple-A and work on it and see how it progresses,” Scioscia said.

Lincecum left the ballpark Saturday before reporters had the chance to talk to him, but Scioscia said that he handled the news well.

“It’s hard news to take, but Tim understands it,” Scioscia said. “He’s pragmatic. He understands the work he needs to do. Hopefully he’ll accept this challenge and use the opportunity to become a better pitcher.”

Lincecum, 32, has spent much of the past five years trying to revive his career. A two-time Cy Young winner, Lincecum has struggled since 2012, with much of his trouble because of a hip injury that altered his delivery and led to surgery last year.

The Angels signed Lincecum in May – after watching him pitch in a showcase event in Arizona – and gave him a few weeks to get ready in the minors.

His June 18 debut in an Angels uniform was encouraging. He gave up one run in six innings in a victory over the Oakland A’s.

Since then, though, he has failed to finish six innings in any of his last eight starts. He has allowed at least three runs in each start...

I haven't blogged Angels baseball as much this summer as I did last year (the Angels were heavily in the hunt then). But if you're following me on Twitter you'd have seen my comments on Lincecum. I was really pleased with his initial comeback outing in Oakland. Of course, everyone had high hopes. But good things never materialized and last night it all fell apart. I bet Scioscia was getting a lot of heat about it, and he finally made the call to cut the dude loose. It's gotta be humiliating for a former Cy Young winner, but what are you going to do? I agree with Scioscia: He needs to go back down to Triple A and grind it out for a while. Maybe he'll get another chance to play in the majors. He's only 32-years-old.

But keep reading.

Was That Tim Lincecum's Last Game?

I don't think Mike Scioscia's got anyone else to fill in the rotation.

But Lincecum's gotta go.

At the O.C. Register, "Final: Tim Lincecum roughed up again in Angels' loss to the Mariners."

From @JeffFletcherOCR: How much longer will the #Angels stick w the Tim #Lincecum experiment? It's not going well. https://t.co/vJQf2pm0p0

— OC Register Sports (@OCRegSports) August 6, 2016

I really wanted to support #TimLincecum, but he's struggling so much it's impossible. Sheesh. #Angels #Mariners

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) August 6, 2016

I rest my case. It's now 6-3 #Mariners over #Angels. https://t.co/KY0uYZPmW0

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) August 6, 2016

The Mariners have pounded Tim Lincecum for six hits and six runs here in the first inning, and he is not through it yet. ERA up to 9.84.

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) August 6, 2016

This is going to be the 2nd "Is this the last start of his career?" for Tim Lincecum in the last 3. He's allowed 6 runs in 1st.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 6, 2016

That was brutal. #Mariners #Angels

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) August 6, 2016

#TimLincecum back in for another nail-biting inning. #Angels #Mariners

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) August 6, 2016

In his last 7.1 IP, Tim Lincecum has given up 18 runs. He said he was pitching for his '17 contract. Minor league deal, or retire?

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 6, 2016

.@BillShaikin I had high hopes for him, Bill. #TimLincecum #Angels #Mariners

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) August 6, 2016

#Angels' Cam Bedrosian Shuts Down #Oakland A's to Record First Career Save (VIDEO)

I guess Huston Street's gone on the DL since that disastrous blown save on Sunday.

Cam Bedrosian was in to close last night. The Angels were ahead 5-4, so it was a maximum save situation. And boy did Bedrosian come through. It was very nice.

From Susan Slusser, at the San Francisco Chronicle, "Poor defense leads to A’s 4th loss in row - and why Marcus Semien is unlikely to get a break soon."

And from Pedro Moura, at the Los Angeles Times, "Marte, Bandy homer while Bedrosian closes the door in Angels' win."

Plus, video at MLB, "8/2/16: Bandy, Marte homer to power Angels past A's."

Angels Pick Up Ricky Nolasco from Twins in Trade for Hector Santiago

Well, I'm not that pleased.

Santiago's been pretty consistent of late, and I know he loved playing for the Angels. He's a patriot who'll be sorely missed.

And Nolasco? Is he any good? I have no idea.

At the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "Twins trade Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer to Angels for Hector Santiago."

And the O.C. Register's Jeff Fletcher has some quick analysis on Twitter. The Angels look like they just wanted to do something before the trade deadline.

Santiago and busenitz to twins. Nolasco and Meyer reportedly back.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 1, 2016

On the Twins deal, Angels basically exchanged one back end starter for another back end starter, plus a 0-3 upside starter. Simple.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 1, 2016

Also, Nolasco has an option, so possibly one more year of control than Santiago.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 1, 2016

Confirmed Angels are getting cash from the Twins to cover the difference between Santiago and Nolasco's salaries, so no luxury tax hit in 16

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 1, 2016

If Angels had traded for Santiago for prospects only, they'd need to go get a "Nolasco type" on FA market just to fill rotation

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 1, 2016

Another Great Day Spoiled by Huston Street (VIDEO)

I took my family to Anaheim Stadium last night to see the Red Sox at the Angels.

It was great. Albert Pujols had the clutch home run and the Angels hung on to win 5-2.

But it wasn't so great today. I like Huston Street a lot (or I used to like him), but he's had so many blown saves this year it's just out of control. He's always been a "finger-biting" closer, but I just can't watch him anymore. The Angels were up 3-0 in the ninth and Street walked one and gave up a base hit. He struck out the next two, then Mookie Betts drove in a run on an RBI single. Then Dustin Pedroia just smashed a bomb over the center-field fence. Not to be outdone, Xander Bogaerts came up and smashed another homer to make it 5-3. It was totally demoralizing.

Can the Angels just get another closer, please?

.@Angels, for the trading deadline, please, please offload #HustonStreet! Take a loss on the fucker. Anything. Sheesh. #Angels #RedSox

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) July 31, 2016

Another great day for Tyler Skaggs is spoiled by Huston Street. Angels lose 5-3. https://t.co/bSvGXiNqdF

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 31, 2016

Red Sox's David Ortiz Hits Home Run No. 522, Passing Ted Williams on All-Time List (VIDEO)

It was awesome, although he hit it against my Angels, unfortunately.

The Halos are 19 and a half games back in the AL West. Probably one of their worst seasons ever.

Here's the Ortiz homer. He's 41 years-old and still smashing the ball like it's nothing.

Juan Uribe Testicular Contusion (VIDEO)

This game was a couple of weeks ago, but the Cleveland Indians' "Vote Tribe" Twitter feed just posted a photo of the man with some gold training shoes and a cigar.

So I tweeted:

I guess that "testicular contusion" is feeling better, man. #VoteTribe #Cleveland #JuanUribe https://t.co/jIbIHBDBYt

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 26, 2016

Yankees Sweep Angels (VIDEO)

I've pretty much given up on my team. They're 11 games back in the American League West.

There's still hope mathematically, but they've got too many injuries, especially on the pitching staff. Even the hot All-Stars, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, along with the awesome Kole Calhoun, aren't enough to carry the team into contention.

I'll be tuning in, but once the Angels are eliminated from playoff contention I've got to focus my loyalties elsewhere, probably the Dodgers and the Giants.

In any case, the Yankees pounded the Halos this week. It wasn't even close.

At LAT, "Angels get swept in the Bronx":

All of them silent, the Angels dressed themselves, shoveled in their dinners, loaded their suitcases, signed their checks for the Yankee Stadium clubhouse attendants, and boarded a bus.

If all went according to plan, they’d land at LAX after 2 a.m. PDT, bus back to Orange County, drive home, and then show up to Angel Stadium 10 hours later to play another ballgame.

It is a particularly grueling part of the Major League Baseball schedule that the Angels are occupying now, made worse by their abject struggles during a four-game series against the New York Yankees and, of course, the fact that this season’s result already seems rendered. They lost four straight in the Bronx, including by a 6-3 decision Thursday night.

Jhoulys Chacin pitched wonderfully for four innings and then terribly for one inning, the fifth. That determined the game’s outcome. He walked leadoff man Didi Gregorius, then lamented it later. With one out, Chris Parmelee, a heretofore anonymous man who dominated the Angels this series, singled through to left field to knot the score,1-1.

Jacoby Ellsbury singled, Brett Gardner walked, Angels pitching coach Charles Nagy visited the mound, Carlos Beltran doubled, Alex Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly, and Brian McCann doubled. The Yankees had five runs in a dozen minutes; Chacin did not have his release point, varying wildly within his normal delivery.

He stayed in to start the sixth inning before the Angels turned to their taxed bullpen.

Closer Huston Street handled the eighth even though the score was the opposite of a save situation...

More.

The hard-copy newspaper article is subtitled on the inside pages, "Angels might be running out of time and options."

Jered Weaver Comes Through for the Angels

Weaver's been fighting the hate on social media and has been reassuring critics his stuff's back up to 100 percent.

So, he sure proved himself healthy and capable in yesterday's 3-1 victory over Texas.

It was nice.

At the O.C Register, "Weaver and his 84 mph fastball help Angels split series with Rangers":

Weaver threw 84 pitches and used his fastball 19 times. Average velocity was 82 mph. Hit 84 mph four times.

— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) April 10, 2016

Jered Weaver on his start: "It makes me look forward to the future in baseball as opposed to maybe it’s going to be about shutting it down."

— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) April 10, 2016

ANAHEIM – Jered Weaver heard the same question from the same chorus for most of spring training.

Can a big-league starting pitcher still get outs, even with a fastball that fails to move much past 80 mph?

At least on Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium, the answered appeared to be yes.

Weaver delivered a gutsy performance in his season debut, giving up six hits and one run over six innings, in the Angels’ 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers to split a four-game series.

“I can pitch like that for the rest of the season,” Weaver said, “but I only know it’s going to get better.”

The Angels improved to 2-4 and avoided what would have equaled their worst start through six games in franchise history...

Thank goodness, sheesh.

Keep reading.

Angels, in Last Place in American League West, Are Already 1 1/2 Games Back

During the post-game show last night, host Alex Curry was talking to analyst Jose Mota, and the latter blew off Manager Mike Scoscia's response to the team's season, that "it's still early." Mota argued that frankly every game matters, even in the first weeks of the season, because each loss puts you further behind your rivals. And when September comes all that matters is the win-loss record.

I have to agree. The Angels are already in the basement of the American League West. They can get out easily, but they need to make the move soon.

Here's Jeff Fletcher, at the O.C. Register, "Escobar's miscue adds to Angels' woes":

An Angels Rite of Spring: the "No one is panicking" speech. https://t.co/8JCCajctyz

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 10, 2016

ANAHEIM – We now bring you what has become a regular feature of an Angels season. …

After the Angels 4-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday night, their fourth loss in their first five games, Garrett Richards gave an answer that could have applied to most of the Angels recent Aprils.

“We’re a good club,” Richards said. “I truly believe that. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. I don’t think anybody is panicking in here.”

That’s because, as Richards said, “It’s early in the season. We have a ton of games left to play… We’ve started out slow the last few years, but we’re right in it in the end.”

Sure enough, the Angels have started slowly regularly in recent years, and this seems to fit the mold perfectly. The problem is this team didn’t have quite the high expectations of some of those other clubs that started slowly.

The issue with this team is an offense that may be a little shallow, which has definitely been the case as they’ve scored nine runs in the first five games.

Another issue on Saturday night was the defense, which didn’t figure to be a problem in general but has been a concern – of the analysts, if not the Angels – with third baseman Yunel Escobar.

Richards was sailing along with the Angels best start of the season’s first week, trailing 2-1 when he got Elvis Andrus to hit a routine bouncer to Escobar, who fielded it charging toward the middle of the infield. He was just behind the mound when he nonchalantly flipped the ball to first, except his toss sailed over the head of C.J. Cron. As the ball skipped to the railing, Andrus took second.

Escobar came to the Angels with a reputation as a poor defensive player. The Angels have insisted that Escobar’s tools were better than the defensive metrics gave him credit for.

The Angels have worked with Escobar to alter his release point to make his throws more accurate, but this was not one of those cases. This wasn’t so much a throw as a flip.

“He just stayed open and tried to flip it over there and just threw it a little bit high,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “But when he sets his feet, he’s throwing the ball very well.”

More.

Texas Rangers Hammer Matt Shoemaker

Not the best outing, not by a long-shot.

At LAT, "Matt Shoemaker lets Rangers get out of the gates fast in Angels' 7-3 loss."

Matt Shoemaker lets Rangers get out of the gates fast in Angels' 7-3 loss https://t.co/XBz6UY9ygg

— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) April 9, 2016

If You Walk Mike Trout, You Still Gotta Face Albert Pujols: Angels Beat Rangers, 4-3, with Walk-Off in Bottom of Ninth

It felt like old times last night at Angel Stadium. Lot of smiles (plus plenty of grimaces from Manager Mike Scioscia).

And I still can't see why teams think they're making a good call by walking Mike Trout. Pujols is going to take you to the cleaners on the next at-bat. I said it as soon as Texas pitched wide to Trouty, and then boom, the Pujols walk off. It was almost like clockwork.

At LAT, "Albert Pujols punches first winning ticket for Angels in bottom of ninth."

Angels get first win of season when Albert Pujols delivers walk-off hit against Rangers https://t.co/KPhQets7Zl

— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) April 8, 2016

The Rangers intentionally walk Mike Trout to load the bases and face Albert Pujols, and Pujols delivers walk-off hit. The Angels win, 4-3.

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 8, 2016

“I got close to 2,000 RBIs for a reason,” Albert Pujols said. “I know how to stay focused in those situations.”

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) April 8, 2016

Angels Have Been Outscored by 14 Points in First Two Games of the Season

Well, it's not very encouraging, although we've still got 160 more games to play, so no worries, lol.

At the O.C. Register, "Angels handcuffed again in 6-1 loss to Cubs":

Mike Scioscia sends you to the dictionary after the Angels 6-1 loss. https://t.co/vBQbjzKkFA

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 6, 2016

ANAHEIM – The best thing you can say about the Angels’ season-opening two losses is that they are only two losses.

“It doesn’t count as three losses because you gave up a bunch of runs,” Manager Mike Scioscia said after his team dropped a 6-1 game to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.

In their first two games, including a 9-0 loss on opening day Monday, the Angels have been outscored by 14 runs. That’s the worst two-game start in franchise history.

Again, though, just two games. Just a blink of an eye in a season.

“If you look up the definition of a small sample in the dictionary,” Scioscia said, “you’re going to find these two games are a small sample.”

To prove the point, the Angels’ previous worst two-game start came in 2014, when they were outscored by 12 runs in the first two games against the Seattle Mariners. They came back to win a major-league best 98 of their last 160 games that season.

That bit of meaningless trivia aside, the Angels certainly didn’t leave themselves much to feel good about heading into the season’s first off day...

More.

Angels Look to Rebound from Blowout Loss in Home Opener

Yeah, it. was pretty much a bummer.

The whole opening day vibe has been spectacular this week, but it's a letdown when your team looks like they've got the blahs. And the Angels were looking good in spring training?

In any case,  at the O.C. Register, "Angels look to rebound from blowout loss in opener":

ICYMI: Jake Arrieta spoiled Angels opening night. https://t.co/FFwXCfhgte

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 5, 2016

ANAHEIM -- After suffering their worst opening day loss Monday, the Angels are set to "turn the page," to use one of Mike Scioscia's favorite phrases, with the second and final game of the series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.

It's a battle of lefties, with the Angels' Andrew Heaney facing the Cubs' Jon Lester.

Lester hasn't fared that well at Angel Stadium, posting a 4.76 ERA here in five starts. Heaney has never faced the Cubs.

The Angels are using their expected lineup against a lefty, with Craig Gentry starting in left in place of Daniel Nava. In spring training, it looked as if Mike Scioscia may have dropped Gentry in the lineup -- rather than just swapping him straight into Nava's No. 2 spot -- but Gentry is hitting second...

The game's about to start as this post goes live.

More.

Rangers Win American League West; Angels Playoff Hopes Shattered (VIDEO)

Well, considering all the ups-and-downs of the Angels' season, I think the players can be proud. They have no quit in them, and yesterday's spectacular comeback win was one of the best ever.

Frankly, I'm surprised they stayed in contention right to the very last game of the season. There were a couple of times in the last month or so that I'd pretty much given up on them.

Better luck next year.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Rangers use seventh-inning outburst to eliminate Angels from playoffs."

Also at ESPN, "Rangers win AL West on final day; Angels' loss puts Astros in playoffs."

Plus, watch, at MLB, "10/4/15: Rangers clinch AL West behind Hamels' gem."

#Angels Mount One of the Most Spectacular Comeback Victories in Franchise History (VIDEO)

Needless to say, I'd written off the Angels. I mean, it was the top of the 9th and the Rangers had come back to take a 10-6 lead. I was resigned to it. All I could hope was that the Astros would lose to the Diamondbacks tonight, heh.

But then, as Yogi Berra might say, "It ain't over 'till it's over."

Watch, MLB's YouTube page, "10/3/15: Angels' five-run 9th keys comeback win."

At the Los Angeles Times, "Angels beat Rangers with miraculous ninth-inning rally, keep alive playoff hopes":

The Angels staged one of the most improbable comebacks in franchise history on Saturday, rallying for five runs with seven hits in the ninth inning for an 11-10 victory over the Texas Rangers that kept their slim playoff hopes alive.

With the Angels trailing, 10-6, Erick Aybar and Kole Calhoun opened the ninth with home runs to right field off Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson to cut the deficit to 10-8.

Right-hander Ross Ohlendorf replaced Tolleson and got Mike Trout to ground out to shortstop. Albert Pujols reached on a bloop double that dropped when the gloves of first baseman Mike Napoli and second baseman Rougned Odor collided in shallow right field.

With a Globe Life Park crowd of 37,277 on its feet in anticipation of the Rangers clinching their sixth American League West title, the Angels followed with four straight two-out singles to take the lead...

More.

Also at the O.C. Register, "ANGELS STAGE TEXAS-SIZE RALLY TO STUN RANGERS, STAY ALIVE."

.@Rangers are THREE OUTS AWAY from winning the AL West. pic.twitter.com/p6XTmJvpel

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015

BACK-TO-BACK! 💪💪 @Angels cut it to 10-8 with no outs in the 9th.

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015

Bloop double for Pujols, tying run at the plate in Murphy with one out. #Angels

— Angels (@Angels) October 3, 2015

.@Angels within ONE!

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP! @Angels score 4 in the 9th, tie @Rangers 10-10.

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015

And the @Angels take an 11-10 lead! This is WILD.

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015

I've covered some 3,000 MLB games in last 20 years ... this might be the craziest.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) October 3, 2015

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. http://t.co/bPTP0ZYj3M #WhatAComeback pic.twitter.com/Xw4ahzq5c0

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015

Last time @Angels scored 5+ runs in the 9th to win a 9-inning game by 1 run was Aug 29, 1986. pic.twitter.com/5AnWPVajCw

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) October 3, 2015

True definition of team win today...WOW!!! One of the best comebacks I been a part of...lots of work still to do!!! pic.twitter.com/rr4zDtBljN

— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) October 3, 2015

A rally for the ages. http://t.co/TqS6tvdeYH #ThrillOfTheGame pic.twitter.com/LV4arhVH6p

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2015

Last time #Angels scored five or more runs in ninth to win a 9-inning game by one run was Aug. 29, 1986.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) October 3, 2015

Angels Acquire Dodgers Starter Mat Latos

He signed with the Angels organization today.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Angels sign Dodgers castoff Mat Latos.

I have no clue about this guy, but the Angels need pitching, and bad.

Excitement Builds in American League West Wild Card Race

At Sports Illustrated, "Astros close gap with Rangers to set up exciting finish to AL West, wild card."

Watch, "9/27/15: Keuchel's gem leads Astros to series win."

And the Angels remain 1/2 game back in the hunt. And they'll be in Arlington October 1-4 to close the season, a series with obvious playoff implications.

Closer Huston Street Injured in Angels Spectacular Walk-Off Win Against Mariners at Anaheim Stadium

What a game, seriously.

And as with any spectacular drama, it had extreme highs and lows.

Mike Trout's historic catch, robbing the Mariners' Jesus Montero of a home run in the fourth inning, was simply unbelievable.

But closer Huston Street was hurt bad the ninth inning. Thank goodness David Freese came up and smacked a walk-off home run on the first swing in the bottom of the inning, better for the team to go tend to Street and rest after holding their spot 1/2 game out of a wildcard berth.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Huston Street's injury is a grim note in Angels' dramatic win":

Mike Trout is not easily impressed with himself. Saturday night, he could not help himself. When he returned to Earth, he mouthed several words, including this one: Wow.

Trout made one of the most spectacular catches of this or any other year, pushing himself several feet above the outfield wall to electrify Angel Stadium and rejuvenate the home team.

The catch might live forever on “SportsCenter.” On this night, however, the catch was not the most important development for the Angels, or the decisive play.

In the top of the ninth inning, they lost closer Huston Street to injury. In the bottom of the ninth, David Freese hit a walk-off home run, lifting the Angels to an emotional 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The Angels remained one-half game behind the Houston Astros for the final spot in the American League wild-card race. The Angels have eight games left.

It appears unlikely that Street could pitch in any of those games. Manager Mike Scioscia said Street has a groin injury that is “not good.” Scioscia did not put a timetable on a recovery, but Street sat out 13 days because of a groin injury in July.

Joe Smith, the setup man, normally would replace Street as closer. Smith is out with a sprained ankle, and the Angels are uncertain whether he can return before the regular season ends.

However, in the wake of Street's injury, Smith said he might try to throw off a mound Sunday and accelerate his return.

Street, scurrying to back up a base on a routine ground ball, got off the mound cleanly, then took an awkward step and collapsed. He got up and tried to walk off the field on his own but had to be helped back to the dugout. That could leave rookie Trevor Gott as the closer, although Scioscia said he would try a committee approach.

If not for Trout's catch, the Angels would have been staring at a four-run deficit and Felix Hernandez on the mound. But Trout's wondrous feat kept the deficit at one run — and, two innings later, C.J. Cron tied the score with a home run.

Freese, a World Series hero for the St. Louis Cardinals, won the game in the ninth with the first walk-off home run of his career — regular season, that is.

The outlook did not look promising for the home team before Trout donned his cape.

Keep reading.

Angels Beat Mariners 8-4 at Anaheim Stadium to Move 1/2 Game Out of Wildcard Spot

Second baseman Johnny Giavotella returned from the disabled list to put up a performance for the ages.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Angels begin last stand in playoff chase with a win over Mariners," and "Angels' Johnny Giavotella gives credit to mom for recovery."

And at the O.C. Register, "His vision healed, Angels' Johnny Giavotella is a sight for sore eyes."