Angels overthrow Royals 5-0 with no help from their new Royalty, as Weaver’s 8 shutout innings and a 5-run 8th overshadow Pujols going 0-for-3 with a Double Play, Pop Out, and Strike Out in his debut as an L.A. Angel
The Big A was full for Opening Night, because everyone wanted to see Albert Pujols’ first game as an Angel. Well, they saw it, but they’ll have to wait to see him actually DO something. The Angels won 5-0, but Albert was a non-factor, lining into a Double Play in the first, Popping Out in the 4th, and then Striking Out. He got one more at-bat, but was walked Intentionally in the 8th, after the Angels had already broken the game open.
Albert did actually make one amazing play in the field, but the Ump totally BLEW the call. 3rd Baseman Mark Trumbo threw wildly to First, and Pujols stretched for it, missed it, but then picked it up and touched the bag with his foot in a remarkably heady show of composure, but the Umpire didn’t see it correctly and mistakenly called the runner safe.
Albert’s stuggles at the plate turned out not to matter, as Jared Weaver completely shut down the Royals, giving up just 4 Hits and NO Runs in 8 solid innings, with Scott Downs finishing off the shutout in the 9th. The Angels got only 3 hits in the first 7 innings, but the Rally Monkey came out before the 8th inning, and once again the Monkey worked his magic. The scene they showed on the scoreboard was Leo DiCaprio on the Titanic, doing his sketch work, only the sketch was coming out a little wild, because his model was… the Rally Monkey!
In that bottom 8th that followed the Monkey Business, the Angels put together twice as many Hits as they had collected all game, scoring 5 times to put Kansas City away. Peter Bourjos got the first RBI, on a little infield grounder that was too tough to snag, and then Erick Aybar hit a bases loaded, bases-clearing Triple to ice it. All that was left after that, really, was the Friday Night Fireworks over the Big A. Just because Pujols didn’t supply any doesn’t mean the fans don’t deserve some after the game.
Special thanks to my buddy J.C., for inviting me and treating me to one hell of a night. Below are 10 photos from the game, including 5 of the Angel Girls.
