...AND I'M STILL PISSED ABOUT THE BIG BAT.

Game two of the Angels vs. Boston series certainly wasn't a disappointment for fans. Before yesterday's game, knowing the power and the statistical information linked to the Red Sox team, I was a bit anxious about this series. Yeah, the Angel's home record is ridiculous, but come on, this is Boston, the number one team in all of baseball right now. And it isn't like they didn't sweep the Angels to begin the season. But there's something about being in their own place, with their own fans that really does it for the Angels. It's a packed house these days.

After last night's 4-2, I felt a little more at ease, and I know the Angel's numbers against Wakefield. They hit off him well, as the numbers from today's game show. Hell, they even batted right handed against him, a right handed pitcher, unusual for switch-hitting matchup. But clearly, they dominated him from both the left and right today. Matthews Jr. hit number 13 out of the park, Kotchman tripled, tons of hits everywhere. But it wasn't just lack of pitching that did the Sox in tonight; with 2 fielding errors, and some other mishaps here and there, they just weren't on top of it - or maybe the Angels were just on top of them...

But tonight marks Saunders' sixth win of the season, putting him 6-0 with an era just over 3. He's been an outstanding addition to the lineup this season, with the tramatizing experiences of Santana at the mound this year, and the injuries and otherwise of Colon. It seems the starting rotation is becoming more reliable and more consistent, despite the loss of the two. I really rather enjoy Saunders in the rotation, myself. He's the only lefty they've got in there, and it's just a nice mix-up from the norm. Not that it really matters which hand they pitch with, so long as the command is there... but you catch my drift. I'm almost tempted to say that the trade deals being thrown around last season for Kendrick-Santana for a big bat might have been a worthy deal... oops, was that out loud??? ... but that's all in hindsight... and I still stand strong against that whole idea of the big bat at all.

In fact, I'm so sick of hearing about it, that I'm no longer dismissing the big bat trade only because the offers have been unreasonable. I'm fully against it at all, just to spite all the so-called "fans" who simply follow the media bias in believing the Angels have to have their own A-Rod to get the team anywhere. Go be Yankees fans, and leave real Angels fans to REAL baseball.

I'm anxious to see what will happen with Izturis once Kendrick comes off the DL. The way he's been playing recently, with such incredible numbers with runners in scoring position and even his fielding, Izturis has done the job, and done it well. Kendrick has never really impressed me nearly as much as he seemed to impress Angels staff when they brought him up from Salt Lake last year. I just haven't seen it. And of course, they know better than I do; I mean, I wasn't there for the minor leagues, but I've been watching since the beginning of his major league career. Just before his injuries, he seemed to be picking it up a bit. He was hitting somewhat where it counted, hit some home runs that really helped the team out, and made a few really exceptional plays. But as for consistency, I'm not nearly as impressed with him as I have been with Izturis. But I guess we'll just have to watch to see what they do with the situation.

Now if I was anyone on the team, I'd want to be Reggie Willits. How many players come in their first season to hear their name being chanted by 44,000+ fans at their home stadium? I'd argue, not many. He plays so hard, runs the ball, puts it where it counts... I love the guy, he's a definite keeper for the team. I just wish he'd get the hit streak back that he had going in June. But I'm still incredibly hopeful for him. Just wish he'd stop smashing himself into outfield walls and getting himself hit in the face during batting practice. It's not good for you.

But as for today's game, 14 hits, no errors, a sustained four game lead on Seattle, over-all productive day. I bet the waitresses at Hooters are making off well tonight, even if the Hot Wings are free...


In Other News:

I'm sure everyone's heard by now, but Barry Bonds hit his 756th tonight, fifth inning, about the same time the angels started smashing in five runs in the same inning. I actually turned the channel to see it. It was a well squared up blast, straight over the center field wall. You knew it was out the split-second it made contact.

And this is how I feel about it: I'm really sick of hearing the steroids crap. They started pulling that on Gary Matthews Jr. at the beginning of this season and I totally dismissed it all. It's over-rated. If guys like Izturis can hit two home runs in about a week, then home runs aren't just hit by sheer force. There's so much more to it than that. And judging the way I've watched Bonds play, the guy puts the bat on the ball. Plain. And. Simple. Unless he's taking some kind of super-steroid that makes you evolve into a higher species, and have freaking EAGLE vision, I'm not seeing where steriod use would help that. The guy seriously has skill. And his numbers post- age 40 prove it. Yeah, steriods are bad, ok. We got it with the whole McGwire thing. But seriously, you can't take this one from Bonds. And if you do, you seriously are just bitter. It's a game, it's baseball, he's old, and he's gonna lose the record to A-Rod before another decade passes anyway. Just let him have it while it lasts.

I seriously give A-Rod, oh, 7 years. As long as he stays healthy.

Speaking of A-Rod, he got his 500th, and Tom Glavine won his 300th game. Lots of records and milestones being reached this season it seems.



So this is my first entry. A little scratchy, but it'll get better as I get used to having something to say. I blame my lack of insight today on my mother, who thought watching "America's Got Talent" and the "Singing Bee" more important than the crucial innings of today's game. Thanks mom. This one's for you.