Back with Guns Blazing

... Or bats... whatever.

Today was a regular home-run derby! It all started with Napoli's GRAND SLAM (number two of the season already?) in the second inning, followed by a homer by GA and another by Kotchman in the same inning, and a three-run shot by Vladdy that nearly cleared the stadium.  Yeah, and I'm not exaggerating by much either.  That one was seriously out of there in a hurry.

The Angels seem to have switched directions a bit from the previous year or two.  Usually, the Angels are characterized by superb pitching, a fast running game, going first to third, stealing bases, collecting runs here and there.  Right now, the pitching is a little weak due to injury, the running game still exists to an extent, but the power has been breaking out left and right.  Most of their runs have come on power hitting, which really is a strange thing.  

Sense the hesitation in my "voice"? Well, don't get me wrong.  It's exciting, home runs, grand slams, etc, especially late in a game where it can make all the difference, but I'm a little skeptical.  I don't think this is just a hot spell at all - I think it'll probably continue throughout the season.  I'm just concerned that the running game will either be overshadowed, or disappear altogether.  But really, I don't think Scioscia would let that happen necessarily, even if the big bat power game seems to be what everyone thinks is the only way to get anywhere in the AL.  I tend to over-worry.  Afterall, the small game is what brought me to the Angels anwyay.  But the pitching is a valid concern right now.  So many injuries... I'm actually really missing Bootcheck.  Never really thought that would be something I'd say...

2 of 3 is no slap in the face, I'll take it.  Would've like 3 of 3 better of course, and they weren't too far from that... but it happens.  Day off tomorrow, then we'll see how they do at Safeco.  Unfortunately, today marked the end of Gary Matthews Jr.'s 9-game hitting streak, which was unfortunate.  I blame it on the error that could've been called a hit.  Damn Umpires.

Until then, I'm off to watch Detriot become 0-8.