Category — Angels

Did we mention Carlos Beltran leads the NL in homers with 13? Didn’t think so.
Despite the Braves sweeping them this weekend, Beltran and the Cards have been among the best teams in the National League so far. But like they say in Anaheim, it’s still early.

If you thought Matt Kemp got off to a sizzling start, think again. Josh Hamilton, who will be a free agent at season’s end, is the hottest player on the planet right now. He homered for the 18th time today in a 4-2 loss to the Angels.
MLB.com

Maybe Jered Weaver’s no-hitter tonight against the Twinkies is the juice the Angels need to turn things around. Regardless, it was an impressive outing for 1 of Major League Baseball’s top pitchers.
O.C. Register

Our daily thread.
We understand the NBA suspending Rajon Rondo for 1 game for bumping official Marc Davis. There is no excuse for it despite Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce and Charles Barkley, among others, offering them. He tripped? No shit Sherlock?
But shouldn’t Davis receive a time out or 2 for his awful officiating and missing calls, particularly the 1 that lead to the incident?
Boston Globe
Timing seems suspicious to us: Laker reserve Jordan Hill was charged with choking his ex-girlfriend, an alleged incident that occurred 2 months ago. Surely the DA’s office in Houston wouldn’t be guilty of a little grandstanding, no? Didn’t think so.
ESPN LA
Addition by subtraction: No offense to Caron, but with Butler out with a broken hand, Nick Young, who was instrumental in the Clip Joint’s huge rally Sunday night and 1 of its top performers the past month, will see an increase in minutes.
ESPN.com
What about Paul?: Who would have guessed this? Paul Silas not returning to the Bobcats as head coach? What’s the problem?
Charlotte Observer
Panic? Not Albert: Any and almost everyone connected with the Angels these days are tight under the collar. But just because Albert Pujols hasn’t hit a homer this month (don’t panic Albert, but today is the last day) doesn’t mean anything to him. Pujols and the Angels host the Twinkies tonight.
Fox Sports

Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney, who the Angels showed little patience with, has 6 saves without a blown 1. That’s 1 short of the Angels win total.

The Angels should have done this before they broke from spring training, but stubbornly figured they would get a sucker for the contract of Bobby Abreu.
ESPN LA

Angel fans getting a little tight under the collar? Who knew?
Mike Scioscia is frequently hailed as the best manager in the game, but the Angels haven’t made the playoffs the past 2 seasons. Now they’re off to a shitty 6-13 start and the natives have grown seriously restless. What in the name of Albert Pujols is going on?
We know this. Scioscia needs to find a way to pencil in Mike Trumbo’s name in the lineup card everyday. No excuse for that. He’s been the club’s best hitter, yet entering today’s contest in Cleveland, he had only half as many at-bats as the struggling Pujols.
L.A. Times

Our daily thread.
The Dodgers lost their 2nd in a row to the Braves, but Matt Kemp homered for the 10th time this month, tying Gary Sheffield (remember him?) for the most home runs in April. Kemp leads the major in homers and has 23 RBI.
Tough night for Dodgers reliever Javy Guerra, who took 1 in the face and might be knocked out of the closer role.
AP
They’re just funking with us, no?: The Rays handed the Angels their 3rd straight setback. We suspect they’re trying to find out who their real fans are before they go on a roll and blow everyone away. No?
Albert Pujols is 0 for 19 and still looking for his 1st homer as an Angel. This wouldn’t be happening if he was in St. Louis.
O.C. Register
Star of Texas: The Rangers pounded the Yankees again to take 2 of 3 in their series. Bob Nightengale, 1 of the best writers in baseball, tweeted that the Rangers are the greatest of all time. Some of us Cardinal fans are a little offended. Didn’t we beat that ass last October?
Oh, and did we mention that the Angels are 8 1/2 games back of the Rangers? Didn’t think so.
Star-Telegram
Mr. 400: Tip of the cap to Paul Konerko, who slugged, and we mean slugged, his 400th homer Wednesday in a 14-inning loss to the A’s. Konerko hit a bomb to force extra innings in the 9th.
Did we mention the A’s are playing better ball than the Angels? Didn’t think so.
Sun-Times
There is no crying is hockey: This bud’s for you my man Timothy Schnupp. Caps 2, Bruins 1. Series over.
Boston Herald
Riding off into the Sun set: So where does Steve Nash play next year?
Pro Basketball Talk

A quick hitter and late night version of our daily thread.
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul combined for 70 points, but they lost to the Hawks tonight, meaning the Lakers clinched the Pacific Division title. Good luck with Memphis.
NBA.com

Price is too high for Angels: David Price of the Rays blanked them in a 5-0 victory. Albert Pujols went 0-4 and is hitless in his last 16 at-bats. We’re sure they’re still saying it’s early in Anaheim, but there has to be some concern, no?
O.C. Register
40 tastes good: Chipper Jones homered on his birthday as the Braves knocked off the Dodgers tonight.
MLB.com
Music to their ears: The Jazz nailed down a playoff spot by hammering the Suns. Their reward? They’ll get either the Spurs or the Thunder in the opening round.
Salt Lake Tribune

Our daily thread of the events of the day.
Art of perfection: Who dat? Philip Humber, that’s who. He became the 21st pitcher today to throw a perfect game as the White Sox dropped the Mariners 4-0.
Chicago Tribune
When you’re hot, you’re hot: Matt Kemp continued to sizzle, hitting his MLB-leading 9th homer today as the Dodgers beat the Astros. We applaud the Dodgers hot start, but you do realize much of it has been against the Pirates, Padres and Astros?
ESPN LA
Look who’s won 2 in a row: The Angels, with Jered Weaver leading the way, rallied to beat the O’s again.
O.C. Register
UFC 145: Jon Jones scored a unanimous decision over old friend Rashad Evans.
MMA Fighting.com
No contest: Abner Mares dominated an old-looking Eric Morel in their bantamweight showdown tonight in El Paso.
Boxing Scene
A bit sensitive, no?: Now the Clippers are saying their prepared to “protect” Blake Griffin from the hard fouls he’s suffered all season. Where have these guys been all season? Are they watching the same games we are? Seriously, it’s too late to do anything now, particularly with the playoffs coming up, and the club is reacting to criticism it has received by not responding.
ESPN LA