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Clips

(August 26, 2017)

August 26, 2017 Page 2 of 23

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIME (Page 3)

Angels can’t capitalize late in 2-1 loss to Astros

Letters: Dodgers’ Rich Hill has the perfect attitude

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 8)

Parker Bridwell loses duel with Collin McHugh as Angels fall to Astros

Angels Notes: Garrett Richards continues slow march to return to rotation

Miller: Angels don’t care if they’re chasing the AL mild card

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 14)

Bridwell drops duel as Angels’ bats scuffle

Pair of mistakes cost ‘PBrid’ in strong start

Angels’ players celebrate roots on gear

Richards nearly ready for rehab assignment

Halos send out ‘Swaggy’ to face Astros

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 19)

Davis hits HR, Astros score on wild pitch to beat Angels 2-1

FROM YAHOO SPORTS (Page 20)

Astros may hold out Altuve again against Angels

FROM FOX SPORTS (Page 22)

Angels need Trout to get on track vs. Astros

August 26, 2017 Page 3 of 23

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels can’t capitalize late in 2-1 loss to Astros

By Curtis Zupke

The joyful, carefree days of youth were easy to conjure upon looking at the Angels.

They wore Little League-inspired jerseys with nicknames on the back as part of a youth-based initiative

by Major League Baseball.

There was no kidlike celebration, though, after their offense struggled for the second straight night

Friday in a 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium.

The Angels’ one-run output, with 11 strikeouts, was a day after they were shut out by the Texas

Rangers.

Perhaps what made this tougher to reconcile were that the late threats were there.

Mike Trout worked a full count with the bases loaded in the seventh inning but popped out.

Andrelton Simmons hit into a double play in the eighth inning with a man on.

Cliff Pennington singled with two outs in the ninth before Kaleb Cowart grounded out.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia mentioned some fine defensive plays by Houston.

“But the bottom line is we need to start pressuring teams, getting on base and doing some of the things

we can do,” Scioscia said. “The last couple of nights we haven’t been able to do that.”

Parker Bridwell, the Angels’ most consistent starter the last few weeks, with a 5-0 record since early

July before Friday, did his part for most of the night in his first career start against Houston.

He was penalized on two pitches — one hit for a home run, and the second, a wild pitch, scored

Houston’s other run.

“I thought I executed my pitches pretty well, other than that first one,” Bridwell said of the home run.

“I kind of thought just get first strike. I ran [it] back over the plate and he made a good swing on it.”

Bridwell recovered from that third-inning leadoff home run (by Cal State Fullerton product J.D. Davis)

and retired the next seven batters until George Springer led off the sixth inning with a double. Springer

moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch inside to give Houston a 2-1 lead.

“Pretty wild,” Bridwell said. “It was supposed to go outside. That’s the thing. But it’s just one of those

things I pulled off a fastball and yanked it in the wrong situation.”

August 26, 2017 Page 4 of 23

Houston’s Collin Mc-Hugh improved to 7-2 in his career against the Angels, including five straight wins

dating to 2014.

The uniforms were part of the league’s Players Weekend, which is intended to show players’

personalities, particularly to kids, and it also raises money for youth and amateur baseball.

“Kids are the future of this game, so I think it’s a great idea what they’re doing and for MLB to have a

weekend like this,” Albert Pujols said before the game.

Pujols has “The Machine” on his jersey, a reference to his ESPN “SportsCenter” commercial.

“That’s the nickname that kind of got stuck with me,” Pujols said.

The start was not kid friendly. Houston bench coach Alex Cora was ejected 10 pitches into the game.

He shouted at home umpire Laz Diaz and flung papers into the air upon his departure.

A few minutes later, Kole Calhoun hit an RBI two-out double for the game’s first run.

Hurricane Harvey

Pennington, from Corpus Christi, Texas, said his parents and siblings evacuated the city in anticipation of

Hurricane Harvey.

Pennington was checking his phone often to see how bad it would get. He said he never experienced

anything on this scale when he grew up there. “We had a few near misses,” Pennington said. “Most of

them, when I was a kid, went up the coast and went to Louisiana. So they were the ones that got it.

[But] not this bad and directly on Corpus since before I was born.”

Short hops

Garrett Richards completed another simulated game and Scioscia opened the possibility that his next

appearance could be with triple-A Salt Lake. Scioscia has said that Richards could initially be brought up

for a limited start of about 60 pitches for the Angels in September. … The Angels claimed right

hander Blake Wood off waivers. Matt Shoemaker was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. … Pitcher

Mike Morin was recalled and Jefry Marte was optioned to Salt Lake. … Ben Revere (knee contusion) has

improved but was held out of the starting lineup. … Trout was named to the Arizona Fall League Hall of

Fame.

Letters: Dodgers’ Rich Hill has the perfect attitude

When Harvey Haddix had his 12-inning perfect game wiped out of the baseball records books by a

typically inane rule change, his response was simply, “That’s OK, I know what I did.” That same silly rule

also renders Rich Hill’s game not be a no-hitter. I’m sure he knows what he did too.

Ron Reeve, Glendora

August 26, 2017 Page 5 of 23

In an era when so many politicians and athletes blame everyone but themselves for their problems, Rich

Hill leads by quiet — and sometimes not so quiet — example.

The man so intensely competitive that he hurls invective at himself when not pitching up to his

standards is the same man who refuses to blame his teammates — for an error that cost him a perfect

game and for stranding 11 runners on base, which cost him a no-hitter, a shutout and a win.

Thank you, Rich, for being the rare athlete our kids can truly look up to.

Jeff Kandel, Los Angeles

Dodgers management’s plan to “rest” and “save” players for the playoffs probably cost Rich Hill his spot

in baseball history. With four All-Stars kept in limbo on the disabled list, this plan may also interrupt the

momentum of a game-winning machine. Time will tell whether the team can regroup for an October

run. Let the players play.

Jerry Moore, Cerritos

How exciting are the Dodgers? My wife, who has always refused to watch baseball because it was “too

boring,” just asked me if the Dodgers are on today.

PJ Gendell, Beverly Hills

OK, the Dodgers have won how many division titles in the last few years? And they never get to the Big

Dance? So if we think this won’t happen this year, does that mean we as fans are insane?

Sam Rizzardo, Harbor City

Crazy how the Dodgers break up their pricing into so many sections. I bought my season tickets when

this ownership came into town on their white horse, declaring the “lowest merchandise” prices for fans

and Magic Johnson as the face of marketing. Needless to say, my season tickets have doubled in that

time and now all these sections with different pricing.

How come the ownership continues to do the fans wrong, when we are the most loyal fan base in all of

baseball? I bite the bullet and renew my seats because I pay much less than the general public, but even

this year the regular prices skyrocketed. I hate to see what happens if they make it to and win the World

Series.

Jerry Fonseca, Oxnard

Joe Davis is no Vin Scully … and neither is anyone else.

Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser have settled in, they do a good play-by-play interspersed with information

and their own brand of banter and stories. Sometimes even Nomar Garciaparra is allowed to join in,

though when Orel is in the booth they always place Nomar in center field or at the very top of the

stadium behind home plate; maybe Nomar should change his deodorant or needs a breath mint!

August 26, 2017 Page 6 of 23

The point is, these guys are more than just competent, they are doing very well in the unenviable

position of having to follow the very best. They are growing as the season goes on and are bringing their

own style and brand to the Dodgers.

They haven’t replaced Vinny. No one could ever do that — and to their credit they haven’t tried.

Michael Solomon, Canoga Park

What a surprise to turn on Fox Sports last Saturday and two unbelievable things happened.

One, I was actually able to see the Dodgers on television (I’m with DirecTV).

And two, the privilege to hear Dick Enberg calling the game (he was in Detroit to be honored by

the Tigers). Listening to him. you realize he has to be the best all-around play-by-play man of all time.

Whether being the voice of the L.A. Rams, Bruins basketball, the Angels, NBC sports (Super Bowls,

Olympics, NBA, golf, etc,), he has done it all. He is and always will be a master behind the microphone.

Art Eisenman, Hollywood

Not buying it

You can heap all the praise you like on Mike Scioscia [Dylan Hernandez, Aug. 22], and what exactly have

the Angels accomplished during his tenure? One World Series, way back when, and since then, the same

old lineup, the same old looks at the umpires when he disagrees with a call, and oh, yes, doing what he

can with what he has. That must speak to the ownership’s inability or unwillingness to invest in his team

from Los Angeles?

Arte [Moreno] doesn’t know that Anaheim is known worldwide as a destination of its own? Poor Arte.

The Anaheim Angels are Orange County’s team and we locals are proud to be where and who we are. I

think it’s time for Scioscia to retire and let some new ideas and a different mind-set take over.

Carol Marshall, Placentia

A little problem

I used to think the most exploited athletes in the U.S. were in college. Now I have to believe Little

League is worse than the NCAA. How much is being paid for the right to broadcast the Little League

World Series? Who is getting those millions or tens of millions of dollars for the efforts of those little

kids? Who is making what money? Kids playing a kids game doesn’t interest me. Who is making money

off those kids does.

Tom Keiser, Pasadena

Protests

August 26, 2017 Page 7 of 23

Maybe it is time to stop playing the national anthem at professional sports events. It is about the only

work venue that plays “The Star Spangled Banner.” I don’t know about your place of work at The Times,

it isn’t played at mine. May I add, some of the vocalists sound like someone stepping on the cat’s tail?

As for the athletes sitting or kneeling during the song, one just has to look around as thousands chatter,

eat and drink, unconscious of the patriotic moment.

Better the anthem be played at a more serious event, rather than be a stage for protest, or for so many

who care not to listen or pay attention.

Ken Johnson, Piñon Hills

No question that principled independent African American quarterback Colin Kaepernick is a

distraction from the big business of NFL football with his cheeky dissent when “The Star Spangled

Banner” is played.

He is paying for it now. But I bet he sleeps well at night and knows he has done the right thing. I admire

him.

Frances O’Neill Zimmerman, La Jolla

No horse sense

From the very first USC game I attended at the Coliseum 50 years ago — and after every thrilling Trojans

touchdown since — my gaze turns to the tunnel for the emergence of Traveler, the school’s famed

mascot, to start his celebratory gallop. But now this enduring symbol of college football tradition comes

under scrutiny for having a name similar to Robert E. Lee’s horse.

It seems appropriate to ask: What the “L” is going on here?

Steve Ross, Beverly Hills

How did The Times’ editors let that story on Traveler pass review for validity? It did not even make for

good fiction. Would you publish a story if someone claimed they saw Sasquatch walking across Pershing

Square? Were those “students” developing critical thinking skills, or were they just warming up for a

creative writing class?

David Gibbons, Irvine

So, Traveler the horse is now in trouble for sharing a name that Robert E. Lee liked? Perhaps we should

ask all people named Robert to consider changing their names?

Roy Wilson, West Covina

I was in absolute shock when I gazed upon the front page of the Sports section. I immediately called my

Travelers Insurance agent and canceled all my policies.

August 26, 2017 Page 8 of 23

Enough is enough. To quote some guy in Washington, “Where does it all end?”

Robert Greene, Woodland Hills

I am a UCLA grad and herewith demand that the name of the UCLA mascot be changed. Our ursine

symbol bears the moniker of one of the greatest murderers of the 20th century, Joseph (Joe) Stalin. No

Joe Bruin on my watch.

Skip Nevell, Los Angeles

Par for course

What a great comeback for Doc Redman to win a fabulous U.S. Amateur. However, I feel that the real

winner was Riviera Country Club, which demanded the highest level of shotmaking and brought out the

best in this great tournament.

Ed Freeman, Moorpark

Burned

Can someone please get Rams coach Sean McVay a hat and sunglasses? We get that you have great hair,

but this amount of SoCal sun will age you.

George Metalsky, Redondo Beach

Ergo, it's ego

Dylan Hernandez’s piece in Wednesday’s paper belongs on the opinion page not in the sports section.

The real reason many fans would like to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. lose is because he is an abusive,

egotistical showoff, not because he happens to be black.

Ken Blake, Brea

Enjoy it now

Should I be worried? Not a word about Lonzo Ball in three days!

Eric Boardman, Hollywood

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Parker Bridwell loses duel with Collin McHugh as Angels fall to Astros

By Elliott Teaford

August 26, 2017 Page 9 of 23

ANAHEIM — There were 12½ games separating the American League West-leading Astros and the second-

place Angels when Houston center fielder George Springer stepped into the batter’s box to face right-

hander Parker Bridwell on Friday.

The Angels’ deficit grew by one more game by the time Kaleb Cowart grounded out in the ninth inning to

complete the Astros’ 2-1 victory in front of 42,333 disappointed customers on Nolan Ryan Bobblehead

Night at Angel Stadium.

It seems unlikely the Angels can catch the Astros by season’s end, but with 33 games left, they are in the

thick of a wild-and-crazy wild-card race. The Angels were one of six teams within three games of the

second wild-card spot, held by the Minnesota Twins going into Friday’s games.

The Angels lost three times during a four-game series with the Texas Rangers after a 7-2 trip underscored

their status as a legitimate wild-card contender. So, there was an added sense of urgency as they took the

field Friday to face the Astros in the first game of a three-game series.

As if on cue, Mike Trout drew a one-out walk in the first inning, advanced to second base on a passed ball

and then scored on Kole Calhoun’s double off the right-field wall to give the Angels an all-too-brief 1-0 lead

against Houston starter Collin McHugh.

With the game on the line, with the bases loaded and two outs and the Angels facing a 2-1 deficit in the

seventh, Trout couldn’t come through. He popped out on a 3-and-2 pitch from reliever Chris Devenski,

drawing groans from Angels fans who had been standing and cheering.

The Angels left eight runners on base by game’s end and were 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position,

continuing a downward trend. They were hitless in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position during a 3-0

loss to the Rangers on Thursday.

“The bottom line is we need to start pressuring teams, getting on base and doing some of the things we

can do,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after the team’s third consecutive defeat. “The last couple of

nights we haven’t been able to do it.”

In the end, the Astros were a little bit more opportunistic Friday.

Houston tied the score, 1-1, on J.D. Davis’ lead-off homer in the third, the Cal State Fullerton product

slamming the first pitch he saw from Bridwell over the left-field fence for his second of the season.

Houston then broke the tie when Springer doubled to start the sixth and scored on a wild pitch two batters

later.

“Oof, pretty wild,” Bridwell said, wincing later at the memory of the pitch that got away. “It was supposed

to go outside (but went inside and crossed up catcher Martin Maldonado). It was one of those things. I

pulled off of a fastball and yanked in the wrong situation.”

August 26, 2017 Page 10 of 23

Bridwell (7-2) and McHugh (2-2) gave up little in what passed for an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel. There

were no extended rallies, no innings in which either pitcher seemed to be teetering on the edge of

disaster. Each team struggled to bundle hits together.

Bridwell retired seven consecutive batters between Alex Bregman’s two-out single in the third and

Springer’s sixth-inning double. McHugh retired 12 in a row before yielding a lead-off walk to Trout to start

the sixth, departing after a scoreless inning.

Houston manager A.J. Hinch replaced McHugh with Devenski, a former Cal State Fullerton standout, to

start the sixth. McHugh gave up one run and three hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in six strong

innings, departing with the Astros leading, 2-1.

Bridwell gave up two runs and six hits with five strikeouts in seven innings, his streak of consecutive

decisions coming to an end at five in a row. In a one-run game, he kept his teammates within striking

distance while throwing 97 pitches.

“When we get that lead early, my job is go out and throw up a zero,” Bridwell said. “I did it the inning after

that (the Astros’ second), but I need to continue to do that so we can keep the momentum. (After losing

the lead), I’ve still got to do my job and keep my team in it.”

The game got off to an entertaining start with plate umpire Laz Diaz ejecting Alex Cora, the Astros’ bench

coach, four batters into the contest. Hinch appeared puzzled by the decision, walking calmly toward Diaz

to ask for an explanation. Hinch then retreated to the the dugout, satisfied.

Apparently, Cora was upset because Diaz refused to check the baseball for a scuff mark after Angels left

fielder Cameron Maybin made a sliding catch to rob the Astros’ Josh Reddick of an extra-base hit for the

second out of the first inning.

Angels Notes: Garrett Richards continues slow march to return to rotation

By Elliott Teaford

ANAHEIM — Garrett Richards pitched “very well” in a simulated game Friday afternoon in Arizona,

according to Angels manager Mike Scioscia, and if all goes well and there are no setbacks, the right-

hander’s next appearance could be with Triple-A Salt Lake.

Scioscia couldn’t, or wouldn’t, say when it might be. Or even guarantee it would happen.

“With rehabs, I think you come to find out everything’s in pencil,” Scioscia said.

Richards pitched only once this season before a biceps strain sidelined him April 6. He was unavailable to

the Angels for the 126th game this season, when they opened a three-game series against the AL West-

leading Houston Astros at Angel Stadium.

August 26, 2017 Page 11 of 23

The Angels have targeted a September return to the rotation for Richards, who has been working out at

the club’s spring training facility in Tempe. He threw the equivalent of three innings Friday, after

completing a similar simulated game Monday.

“You definitely want to chart a course for what’s best for a player, and that’s what we’ll look at,” said

Scioscia, who declined to estimate how many starts Richards would need in Salt Lake before he’s sound

enough to rejoin the Angels’ rotation. “There are so many variables that go into it.”

Salt Lake’s season ends Labor Day Weekend, so Richards’ starts could be limited.

“All the numbers coming out of today were terrific,” Scioscia said. “But we need to have Garrett go out

there and continue to build stamina and show that he’s healthy.”

GUERRERO’S NIGHT

The Angels will induct former right fielder Vladimir Guerrero into the club’s Hall of Fame in a ceremony

before Saturday’s game against the Astros. Guerrero batted .319, hit 173 home runs, drove in 616 runs

and led the Angels in smiles in each of his six seasons between 2004 and ’09.

“He meant so much to us in those years we had, starting in 2004,” Scioscia said. “He was a cornerstone

guy. I think we remember getting ready for games, coming into the clubhouse, you always looked forward

to Vladdy coming in because he was always smiling. …

“First, he was mega-talented, obviously. If you broke down his swing and how strong he was and how long

he was in the zone, it’s no fluke to see the numbers he put up. I think he felt he could hit any pitch as long

as he could see it good, and he did.”

Guerrero will be joined on the field by fellow Angels Hall of Famers Garret Anderson, Rod Carew, Chuck

Finley, Bobby Grich, Bobby Knoop, Tim Salmon and Mike Witt. Angels owner Arte Moreno and his wife,

Carole, also will be on hand.

ALSO

Mike Trout was one of three players selected to the Hall of Fame. That’s the Arizona Fall League Hall of

Fame, by the way. Trout, a two-time AL MVP, joined Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer and New

York Mets third baseman David Wright in the AFL’s class of 2017. Trout played for the Scottsdale Scorpions

in 2011. …

The Angels claimed right-handed reliever Blake Wood off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. Wood, 32,

appeared in 55 games for the Reds this season before he was designated for assignment Wednesday,

going 1-4 with a 5.65 ERA. The Angels made room on the roster for Wood by shifting right-hander Matt

Shoemaker (strained forearm) to the 60-day disabled list. …

Reliever Mike Morin was recalled from Triple-A and infielder Jefry Marte was optioned to Salt Lake.

August 26, 2017 Page 12 of 23

Miller: Angels don’t care if they’re chasing the AL mild card

By Jeff Miller

ANAHEIM — They’ve survived so much to get here – injuries, an underwhelming offense, an unyielding

stretch of being just so-so – that the Angels aren’t going to be discouraged now by someone else’s

discouragement.

They also aren’t about to apologize for being average enough to thrive during a season in which being

average so far has been plenty.

“Heck no, man,” reliever Cam Bedrosian said. “We’re just having fun. We’re enjoying it. We don’t care

about anything but making the playoffs. That’s all we care about.”

The Angels are one of seven teams currently competing for the American League’s final playoff spot, all

seven entering Friday within three games of .500 and three games of one another, as well.

I chose to include the word “currently” because, with just the shortest of winning streaks, Toronto could

make it eight teams trying to wedge into the same single pant leg.

This is the equivalent of a potential standings Sig-Alert, a bumper-to-bumper jam of humanity that

already is attracting gawkers, some of whom are disgusted by what they’re seeing.

As great as this bottleneck is for baseball interest, there is a faction of fans and other observers

convinced that the glorious entanglement isn’t at all great for baseball itself.

They find the mediocrity maddening, even troubling, all these teams wrestling for a treasured

postseason berth while simultaneously pursuing the most bargain-basement of accomplishments: a

winning record.

It’s as if a crime is being committed against the sanctity of the postseason, a stance that conveniently

ignores the fact it wasn’t the idea of the Angels or Rangers or Royals to add a second wild card team to

each league.

Baseball asked for this possibility the moment it expanded its playoff bracket, a decision that was

designed to provide additional hope to more teams going deeper into the season.

Which, of course, is precisely what’s being accomplished today, fans all over baseball having a reason to

scoreboard watch other than “Kiss Cam.”

“I think it’s worked out great,” Bedrosian said. “I’m sure some people look at the records and say it’s

whatever. But, as a team, you’re just trying to make it into the playoffs. Then anything can happen.”

The Angels opened a weekend series Friday against visiting Houston with a record of 65-63, trailing

Minnesota by a half-game for the AL’s No. 2 wild card.

August 26, 2017 Page 13 of 23

The Twins are on pace to finish for 83 victories, a total deemed unworthy of the playoffs by detractors,

detractors who also have conveniently forgotten that St. Louis rode an 83-win regular season all the way

to the 2006 World Series championship.

That’s right, detractors! Instead of destroying baseball with all this win-one-lose-one baloney, the AL’s

break-even brigade actually is carrying on a tradition that has led to postseason glory!

Shoot, it was only nine years ago that the Dodgers were seven games under .500 in mid-June, lost eight

in a row at the end of August and still won the National League West with a mere 84 victories.

That team didn’t apologize, either, even after beating Chicago in the Division Series before losing to

Philadelphia one step before the World Series.

Don’t forget, these players are trying to qualify for baseball’s postseason here, not gain entrance into

Stanford. There are no minimum test-score requirements.

Besides that, the Angels – like every other team – could make the argument that they’re deserving of a

break, that their organization has been wronged by a system that was more unjust in its previous

incarnation.

Ten teams in the history of this franchise have won as many as 85 games and failed to make the

playoffs, including the 1989 Angels who finished 91-71 and no better than third in the AL West, behind

Oakland and Kansas City.

So, if an 83-win Angels team advances in October to play – as of right now – the Yankees in the AL wild

card game, it could be considered payback for what was denied Johnny Ray, Bert Blyleven and Bryan

Harvey nearly three decades ago.

Isn’t that how life is supposed to work? Everything eventually evening out?

“It’s not our job to set the rules,” Bedrosian said. “The way we look at it is you just gotta find your way in

the door. It doesn’t matter what your record is. If you get in, you get in.”

On a more personal note, Bedrosian’s father, Steve, pitched for an 88-win Atlanta team that missed the

postseason, meaning he’s a second-generation reliever interested only in securing the final out

regardless of how it’s achieved.

It matters not one bit to the Angels then that they’re pursuing what some critics consider to be the AL

reviled card.

It’s the final week of August and their fans are, indeed, watching that scoreboard with anticipation,

eager to see which teams are winning, not just which fans are reaching first base.

August 26, 2017 Page 14 of 23

FROM ANGELS.COM

Bridwell drops duel as Angels’ bats scuffle

By Maria Guardado and Chad Thornburg / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Collin McHugh outdueled Parker Bridwell to extend his winning streak against the

Angels to six games and lead the Astros to a 2-1 victory in Friday night's series opener at Angel Stadium.

McHugh (aka "Snap Dragon 2" for Players Weekend) yielded one run on three hits while walking two

and striking out eight over six innings. He has not lost against the Angels since Sept. 3, 2014, posting a

2.51 ERA in nine starts.

"Any time you can beat a division opponent, it's big," McHugh said. "We have a really good division.

We've got five quality teams, and four of us are in the playoff hunt. So, you know, every game down the

stretch, especially against a division opponent, is going to be a playoff game essentially."

Kole Calhoun gave the Angels a 1-0 lead with an RBI double in the first inning, but the Astros tied it

on J.D. Davis' home run off Bridwell in the third. In the sixth, George Springer then doubled and

scored on a wild pitch to produce the go-ahead run for the American League-best Astros.

Bridwell allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings, but he received little help from the Angels'

offense, which has now been held to one run over its past two games. The Angels have lost three in a

row and are now 1 1/2 games out of the second AL Wild Card spot following the Twins' 6-1 win at

Toronto.

"The bottom line is we need to start pressuring teams, getting on base and doing some of the things we

can do," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "The last couple nights, we haven't been able to do that."

Astros bench coach Alex Cora was ejected by home-plate umpire Laz Diaz just 10 pitches into the game

for arguing from the dugout in the first inning.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Springer breaks tie: Springer led off the sixth by lining a double to left field before advancing to third

on Alex Bregman's groundout. When Bridwell's 2-2 cutter to Josh Reddick skipped off the dirt and

got past catcher Martin Maldonado, Springer raced home and scored the go-ahead run on a headfirst

slide.

"It was pretty wild," Bridwell said. "I pulled off the fastball and yanked it, in the wrong situation."

Devo escapes bases-loaded jam: The Angels threatened in the seventh after loading the bases with two

outs against Astros relief ace Chris Devenski (aka "Devo the Dragon"). C.J. Cron singled, Kaleb

Cowart walked and Cameron Maybin produced an infield hit to bring up reigning AL MVP Mike

Trout with the Angels down by a run. Devenski induced a popup from Trout on a 3-2 pitch to emerge

August 26, 2017 Page 15 of 23

from the jam unscathed. Trout is hitless in his last 11 at-bats, though he does have five walks over that

span, including two on Friday.

"Anybody that bought a ticket tonight bought it to see that type of matchup," Astros manager A.J. Hinch

said. "We have one of our best relievers, an All-Star, against one of the best players in the game, bases

loaded, 3-2 count, nowhere to put him. I'm glad Devo won it."

QUOTABLE

"We have families back home, so we're paying close attention. Every TV has been on The Weather

Channel, which is rare for a Major League clubhouse. Usually we're watching something different. It's

pretty terrifying to think of what's possible with a storm like this, especially in our city. Our families are

there, our friends are there, our fans are there. Just thinking good thoughts." -- Hinch, on Hurricane

Harvey

WHAT'S NEXT

Astros: Players Weekend continues Saturday in Anaheim with Game 2 of this three-game set at 8:38

p.m. CT. Right-hander Brad Peacock will make his 16th start of the season. He's 3-2 with a 5.15 ERA in

nine career appearances (six starts) against the Angels.

Angels: Left-hander Tyler Skaggs (1-4, 3.96 ERA) will take the mound on Saturday at 6:38 p.m. PT at

Angel Stadium. The evening will start on a festive note, as Vladimir Guerrero will be inducted into the

Angels Hall of Fame during a special pregame ceremony.

Pair of mistakes cost ‘PBrid’ in strong start

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Since joining the Angels' rotation full-time in June, Parker Bridwell has established himself

as the club's most reliable starter. Entering Friday, the rookie right-hander had won five straight

decisions, with the Halos going 11-1 in his starts this season.

Bridwell (aka "PBrid" for Players Weekend) delivered another strong outing Friday, but it wasn't

enough to snap the Angels' losing skid, as their offense went quiet for a second straight night in a 2-1

loss to the Astros at Angel Stadium.

Bridwell dueled with Houston starter Collin McHugh for most of the evening, leaving little room for

error. Unfortunately for the Angels, Bridwell made two.

With the Halos clinging to a 1-0 lead in the third inning, Bridwell tried to throw a fastball low and away

to J.D. Davis, but it leaked back over the plate and Davis crushed it to left field for a game-tying leadoff

home run. The Astros then took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when a wild pitch from Bridwell allowed George

Springer to score from third.

"It was pretty wild," Bridwell said. "It was supposed to go outside. I pulled off a fastball and yanked it in

the wrong situation."

August 26, 2017 Page 16 of 23

Bridwell pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while walking none and striking out

five, but he was charged with the tough-luck loss after McHugh held the Angels to one run on three hits

over six innings.

"When we get that lead early, my job is to go out and put up a zero," Bridwell said. "I did it the inning

after that [in the second], but I need to continue to do that so we can keep the momentum."

The Angels went 13-5 to start August, but they have started to cool down, falling 1 1/2 games out of the

second American League Wild Card spot after losing four of the past five games.

One night after being shut out by the Rangers, the Halos' offense generated only one run via Kole

Calhoun's RBI double in the first.

Several Angels hitters have slumped this week, most notably Mike Trout, who is hitless in his last 11 at-

bats and popped out to squander a bases-loaded scoring opportunity in the seventh. Andrelton

Simmons (0-for-10) and Martin Maldonado(0-for-7) also had offensive droughts extend Friday.

"The bottom line is we need to start pressuring teams, getting on base and doing some of the things we

can do," manager Mike Scioscia said. "The last couple nights, we haven't been able to do that."

Angels’ players to celebrate roots on gear

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Players Weekend will give the Angels a chance to show off some of their individuality, but

many players are also using the event as an opportunity to pay homage to their roots.

In addition to wearing nicknames on the back of their colorful, non-traditional jerseys, players can also

use uniquely colored and designed spikes, batting gloves, wristbands, compression sleeves, catcher's

masks and bats, which the Angels unveiled on Friday ahead of their series opener against the Astros at

Angel Stadium.

Andrelton Simmons will sport special blue-and-yellow spikes to mimic the color scheme of the flag of

his native Curacao. C.J. Cron will wield a custom bat that channels the American flag, with a blue

barrel, red handle and white stars wrapping around the middle. Kole Calhoun and Cliff

Pennington will don white arm sleeves bearing the logos of their alma maters, Arizona State University

and Texas A&M, respectively.

"This whole weekend I'm trying to kind of commemorate all the places I played and kind of came from,"

said Calhoun, who also wrote "West End Little League" on the tribute patch on his right sleeve to honor

the organization where he first started playing baseball.

Many Angels also showed love to their hometowns by writing the places where they grew up on their

tribute patches. When he took the mound against the Astros on Friday night, Parker Bridwell's patch

read, "Hereford, TX."

August 26, 2017 Page 17 of 23

"It's good to give back to them," Bridwell said. "They've been good to me."

Manager Mike Scioscia said he likes the concept of Players Weekend, which runs through Sunday. He

added that his favorite nickname is Yunel Escobar's "El Gambao" moniker, which dates to his days in

Cuba and means "bow-legged" in Spanish.

"I think it's pretty cool, and it's all for a good cause," Scioscia said. "It definitely fosters some

conversation, there's no doubt about it. Guys are saying, 'Well, why did you do that?' So it's pretty cool."

Richards nearly ready for rehab assignment

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- After throwing three innings in a simulated game in Arizona on Friday, Angels right-

hander Garrett Richards could soon be ready to pitch in Minor League games, according to manager

Mike Scioscia.

The Angels will wait to see how Richards comes out of his throwing session before determining the next

step of his rehab, but Scioscia said his next outing "could very easily" be at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Richards has been out since the third game of the season with an irritated nerve in his right biceps, but

the 29-year-old remains on track for a September return and could help bolster the Angels' rotation as

they make a playoff push down the stretch.

Scioscia declined to estimate how many rehab starts Richards would need before being activated from

the 60-day disabled list. The Angels have said they are open to bringing Richards up once he's stretched

out to around 60 pitches, since the expanded rosters in September will allow them to carry more

relievers.

"I don't really want to venture any guess because there's so many variables that come into it," Scioscia

said. "I think with rehabs, you come to find out everything is in pencil, but you definitely want to chart a

course of what's best for the player, and that's what we'll look at. All the numbers coming out of today

were terrific, but there's no doubt we need to have Garrett out there and continue to build stamina and

show that he's healthy."

Worth noting

• Infielder Yunel Escobar (right oblique strain) fielded grounders again on Friday and is inching closer

to a rehab assignment.

• The Angels called up right-hander Mike Morin from Triple-A and optioned infielder Jefry Marte.

Marte had been starting exclusively against left-handers, and the Angels are slated to face three righties

this weekend. Morin has logged a 6.91 ERA over 14 1/3 innings in the Majors this season, but he's

pitched well at Salt Lake, recording a 2.91 ERA over 34 innings. He can make multi-inning appearances

out of the Angels' bullpen.

August 26, 2017 Page 18 of 23

• The Angels claimed right-hander Blake Wood off waivers from the Reds. Wood, 32, posted a 5.65 ERA

over 57 1/3 innings with Cincinnati before being designated for assignment on Wednesday. To clear a

spot on the 40-man roster, the Angels transferred right-hander Matt Shoemaker to the 60-day disabled

list.

• Mike Trout will be one of three new members to the Arizona Fall League Hall of Fame, joining fellow

2017 inductees Max Scherzer and David Wright. The Arizona Fall League created its Hall of Fame to

honor the top Major League players and managers who honed their skills in the AFL.

Halos send out ‘Swaggy’ to face Astros

By Chad Thornburg / MLB.com

Players Weekend continues on Saturday as the Astros and Angels return to the field in their unique

uniforms for Game 2 of this three-game series at Angel Stadium. While the first-place Astros have a

steady hold on the American League West, the Angels are in the midst of a tightly contested Wild Card

race. Los Angeles is trailing the Twins by 1 1/2 games for the second AL spot.

The Angels will send southpaw Tyler Skaggs, going by "Swaggy" for Players Weekend, to the mound in

Game 2. Skaggs, who spent much of the year on the 60-day disabled list, is making his 10th start. He's

still seeking his first win since coming off the DL on Aug. 5; he's 0-3 with a 3.92 ERA in four starts in that

span.

Brad Peacock will toe the rubber for the Astros. He suffered a tough-luck loss in his last outing vs. the

A's. He struck out eight batters and allowed three runs but only one was earned. Two Houston errors on

one play in the first inning resulted in Oakland's first two runs.

"It wasn't his fault how the game started," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said after the game. "He had

another good outing, he kept us in the game, and that's what you ask your guys to do."

Three things to know for this game

• Astros star Jose Altuve is day to day after exiting Thursday's game against the Nationals in Houston

with neck soreness. Altuve was unavailable for Friday's game, but Hinch didn't rule out a return at some

point in this series.

• Vladimir Guerrero will be inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame before the game Saturday. The nine-

time All-Star spent five seasons with the Angels from 2005-09 and still ranks among the franchise

leaders in batting average (first, .319), extra-base hits (seventh, 377), home runs (sixth, 173) and

slugging percentage (second, .526).

• Astros relievers entered Friday with a 1.84 ERA through 22 games in August, good for the best mark in

the Majors in that span.

August 26, 2017 Page 19 of 23

FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS

Davis hits HR, Astros score on wild pitch to beat Angels 2-1

Stevel Dilbeck / Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. - (AP) -- The Houston Astros found a way to win and showed the Los Angeles Angels

why they have the best record in the American League despite their recent struggles.

Collin McHugh pitched six strong innings, rookie J.D. Davis homered, and George Springer scored the

tiebreaking run on a wild pitch in the sixth inning to lead the Astros to a 2-1 victory over the Angels on

Friday night.

Houston got a needed win after losing 16 of their previous 25 games and handed Los Angeles its fourth

loss in five games after winning nine of 11. The loss knocked the Angels 1 1/2 games behind Minnesota

for the last wild-card spot in the AL.

"A week ago we were playing great baseball," Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said. "We were playing

at a level where we could absorb a bad break.

"We need to focus on in-house and what we need to do. Play at a high enough level to absorb some bad

breaks. Just relax and play the game the way we've been playing for the last couple weeks."

The Angels had an opportunity to tie the score in the seventh when they loaded the bases against Chris

Devenski with two outs and Mike Trout worked a full count.

But Devenski got Trout to hit a popup to end the inning.

"That's what people pay to see is that type of matchup," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "One of our

best relievers, an All-Star, against one of the best players in the game. A 3-2 count and nowhere to put

him.

"To be able to beat Trout when everybody in the ballpark knew he had to throw a strike -- one a big

moment, a great moment for everybody."

McHugh (2-2) allowed one run and three hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out eight. Ken

Giles pitched the ninth to earn his 25th save.

Right-hander Parker Bridwell (7-2) went seven innings for the Angels, allowing two runs and six hits. He

did not walk a batter and struck out five.

HOME THOUGHTS

With Hurricane Harvey expected to hit Houston on Saturday morning, Hinch said players were focusing

on home.

August 26, 2017 Page 20 of 23

"We're paying close attention," he said. "I mean, every TV's been on the Weather Channel, which is rare

for a major league clubhouse. It's pretty terrifying to think of what's possible in our city. Our families are

there, our friends are there, our fans are there."

DEVENSKI PUMPED

Trout only has three hits in his last 25 at-bats, but is considered by many the best player in baseball. So

you can forgive Devenski, who grew up 15 miles from Angel Stadium, when he popped Trout up to avoid

a bases-loaded situation in the seventh.

"You definitely thrive on it," he said. "You go into it with no fear and find a way to get out of it.

"It was a good battle. He fouled off some good pitches and I was able to execute my pitch on 3-2. I came

off the field super fired up."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: Activated C Evan Gattis from the concussion disabled list and placed C Max Stassi on the 10-day

DL with left hand inflammation. Gattis has been on the concussion DL since Aug. 5. He started Friday.

Angels: RHP Garrett Richards, who has pitched in only one game all season because of a biceps strain,

pitched an encouraging three-inning simulated game. Scioscia said if Richards responds normally

Saturday, his next step could be a rehab assignment for Triple-A Salt Lake. . 3B Yunel Escobar (oblique)

did a full workout and could also be headed for a rehab assignment.

UP NEXT

Astros: RHP Brad Peacock (10-2, 3.21 ERA) will attempt to bounce back from only his second loss of the

season, though he still pitched well against Oakland (three runs, one earned, seven hits and eight

strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings). He is 3-2 with a 5.15 ERA in nine games (six starts) against the Angels.

Angels: LHP Tyler Skaggs (1-4, 3.96) is scheduled to start Saturday. He is 2-2 with a 2.49 ERA in four

career starts against the Astros, but 0-3 with a 3.92 ERA in four starts since returning from a strained

oblique.

YAHOO SPORTS

Astros may hold out Altuve again against Angels

STATS/TSX

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Nothing against Marwin Gonzalez, but when fans of the Houston Astros first glanced

at Friday night's starting lineup for their game against the Los Angeles Angels, their collective heart

likely skipped a beat.

August 26, 2017 Page 21 of 23

Gonzalez was listed as the second baseman, and Jose Altuve's name was nowhere to be found.

Altuve was not in the starting lineup because of a sore neck, something that forced him out of

Thursday's game in the sixth inning after taking a swing.

Altuve is listed as day to day and so his status for Saturday's game against the Angels is unknown. And

that's good news for the Angels.

"He's still having a little bit of symptoms with his neck, so he's not going to play until we feel like he's not

going to irritate it anymore," Astros manager A.J. Hinch, told reporters Friday. "We'll see (about

Saturday). I don't want to rule it out. But I don't want to guarantee it, either."

Altuve has a .358 career batting average against Los Angeles, with a .912 OPS. And it doesn't seem

where he bats in the lineup -- leadoff, second, third -- just as long as he's in it.

Of course, the Angels really are no different from the rest of the league. Altuve, who finished third in the

American League MVP voting last season, is a candidate again this year.

He won the AL batting title last season and leads the title race by nearly 20 points, currently hitting .357.

He also leads the league with 273 total bases and 29 stolen bases, and leads the majors with 173 hits, on

a pace to surpass his major league-leading best total of 216 last year.

A big part of his success seems to be his drive to improve, no matter how well he's done in the past.

"The thing about him that's so impressive is that he won the batting title last year and he told

(teammate Carlos) Beltran when they (first) went out to eat, 'How do I get better?'" Astros

outfielder George Springer told the Houston Chronicle. "It's hard to tell somebody who just led all of

(baseball) in hitting how you get better.

"His desire to get better and his desire to improve in all aspects of his game ... he's a team player. He

wants to be successful for the team and it's not ever about him. It's impressive and it's very, very

honorable and very admirable as a teammate to see him do what he does."

Angels starter Tyler Skaggs certainly won't fret if Altuve is not in the lineup Saturday -- Altuve is hitting

.444 (4-for-9) against him.

Outside of Altuve, Skaggs has done pretty well against some of the bigger Astros hitters in limited

matchups, like Springer (0-for-5) and Carlos Correa (1-for-6), though Correa is on the disabled list.

Skaggs, though, will have to be better than he has been lately - he has lost his last three decisions and

hasn't won since returning to the rotation after missing three months with a strained oblique.

"He's not that far off, but he can get better, no doubt," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's going

to work hard and get there. We have a lot of confidence in him, but right now he's still kind of getting

into his season and trying to re-establish everything he needs to do. He'll be important for us down the

stretch."

August 26, 2017 Page 22 of 23

Brad Peacock, who will start for the Astros, is 3-2 with a 5.15 ERA in nine career games (six starts)

against the Angels.

FOX SPORTS

Angels need Trout to get on track vs. Astros (Aug 25, 2017)

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels remain in the thick of the American League wild-card race

heading into the opening game of their weekend series against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday

night, but they might not be for long if two-time AL Most Valuable Player Mike Trout doesn’t heat up.

Trout has three hits in his past 23 at-bats, contributing to the Angels losing three of the past four games

to the Texas Rangers.

The Angels remain a half-game back of the Minnesota Twins, who hold the second AL wild-card position.

Los Angeles is tied with the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Mariners and a half-game ahead of the

Rangers.

“Mike is still having good at-bats, but like anybody in this game, sometimes hits aren’t going to fall in,”

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “Mike’s going to keep going, he’s fine.”

The Astros also have lost three of their past four, but they maintain a 12 1/2-game lead over the Angels

and Mariners for first place in the AL West.

Houston will send right-hander Collin McHugh (1-2, 4.01 ERA) to the mound in the series opener. He is

coming off six scoreless innings against the Oakland A’s on Saturday, an outing that produced his first

victory in six starts this season.

“I’ve had better stuff and probably better command, but it’s baseball,” McHugh told the Houston

Chronicle after the game. “Some days it goes your way. Some days it doesn’t.”

McHugh, who missed the first 3 1/2 months of this season with an impingement in his pitching elbow, is

looking to cement himself in the postseason rotation. The 19-game winner two seasons ago has won 13

straight starts in September and October, the longest active streak in the majors.

He won his 13th straight against the Angels last Oct. 1, allowing no runs and three hits over 7 2/3 innings

in a 3-0 victory.

McHugh is 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA in his career against the Angels. He is 2-2 at Angel Stadium with a 2.25

ERA.

However, the heart of the Angels’ lineup has had success against McHugh.

Kole Calhoun is 10-for-32 (.313) in his career off McHugh, Albert Pujols is 7-for-22 (.318) and Trout is 6-

for-21 (.286) with two home runs.

August 26, 2017 Page 23 of 23

Parker Bridwell (7-1, 2.92 ERA) is scheduled to make the start for Los Angeles, looking to continue his

strong rookie year.

Bridwell made his major league debut against the Astros a year ago this week, throwing two innings of

relief while with the Baltimore Orioles. He moved into a starting role with the Angels this season and has

won his past five decisions.

The Angels have won each of Bridwell’s past eight starts, and he has lowered his ERA from 3.95 to 2.92

in that span. On Sunday at Baltimore, Bridwell allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings.

He got a no-decision in a game Los Angeles won 5-4.

Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick homered off Bridwell in the right-hander’s appearance against Houston

last season.