Post-Game Report: Angels v. White Sox (9/5/08)

It was anything but pretty for the Angels Friday night, as they watched Juan Uribe homer twice, Paul Konerko add a solo shot, and Mark Buehrle pitch six shutout innings in a 10-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

While the the magic number to clinch the American League West division title was shaved to five games with a Texas loss to Boston earlier tonight, the Angels not only lost to a potential playoff opponent in the White Sox, but they were also embarrassed before a near sellout crowd at U.S. Cellular Field. In one sense, it is reasonable to be a little less frustrated with the loss considering the fact that Dustin Moseley, not Jered Weaver, was making the start Friday night. However, it was still extremely difficult to watch Moseley get torched by an intimidating White Sox lineup, as the young pitcher allowed four earned runs on six hits over just 1 1/3 inning. The Angels will need Moseley to be a serviceable reliever come playoff time, and performances like this will likely earn him a spot next to pitching coach Mike Butcher on the bench.

While the pitching left much to be desired, the offense didn’t fare much better either. As a whole, the Angels collected just two hits and managed to score a scarce two runs. Mark Teixeira, who has been on fire ever since joining the Angels, went 0-for-4 at the plate and no Angel had more than one hit.

With such an embarrassing performance, it’ll be hard to name the top 3 performers, but I’ll certainly try.

Top Three Angels Performers:

1) You clearly have issues when you’re top performer collects just one hit. Well, Garret Anderson was still largely the team’s best player Friday night, as he went 1-for-4 with a clutch two out RBI in the top of the seventh inning.

2) Gary Matthews Jr. followed up his big Thursday performance with a solid outing, as he went 1-for-4 and scored on a Dewayne Wise throwing error in the top of the seventh.

3) Justin Speier had struggled over the past few games, but he had a nice performance in tonight’s game. Over 1 1/3 inning of work, he allowed just one hit and no runs.

Jeff Weaver of the Game: The entire pitching staff. Moseley was awful to start the game by allowing four runs, but the other guys didn’t help him out much either. Darren Oliver gave up 3 runs over 2 1/3 innings and Darren O’Day gave up three runs as well.

Play of the Game: If I have to name one, it’d be the Angels lone RBI of the night, Anderson’s RBI single in the seventh.

What to look for next game:The Angels’ ace, John Lackey, will face Galvin Floyd, as the Angels will look to rebound from an embarrassing defeat Friday night.

Next Game: Saturday 5:05 (KCOP 13)

Tags: Garret Anderson, Gary Matthews Jr., Jered Weaver, John Lackey, Mark Teixeira