L.A. Times - Angels

Angels finally have solid hitting -- now pitching is the challenge

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The biggest question is whether the Angels have enough pitching to fend off Texas and Seattle in the AL West and challenge the likes of Boston, New York and Tampa Bay for the pennant.

How strange this is for the Angels, who for years came out of the All-Star break one slugger shy of championship caliber but this July are basking in a bounty of bats.

Chone Figgins hustles to St. Louis as last-minute All-Star

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The Angels third baseman joins the AL squad after an infected finger sidelines Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria.

Having spent much of his big league career as a super utility player, starting at six positions and sometimes jumping from the infield to the outfield and back in the same game, Chone Figgins is used to adjusting on the fly.

Angels' Brian Fuentes baffles even his teammates

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Closer's way of throwing a ball proves difficult for opposing batters -- and for anyone simply playing catch with him.

Opposing batters aren't the only ones who have had trouble getting a handle on Angels closer Brian Fuentes, who has a 3.23 earned-run average and a major league-leading 26 saves entering tonight's All-Star game.

Baseball isn't as much fun anymore for ex-Angel Francisco Rodriguez

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The record-setting reliever insists he's not bitter that the Angels declined to re-sign him over the winter, though 'it makes you realize a lot of things.' Now he's an All-Star with the Mets.

As a boy growing up in Venezuela, Francisco Rodriguez played baseball because he enjoyed it.

Yankees have a new owner: It's the Angels

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Angels continue their remarkable success against the mighty Yankees, scratching out a 5-4 victory to complete a three-game sweep.

Now, if the Angels can just figure out a way to play the New York Yankees instead of the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the playoffs, they might really be onto something.

The all-California All-Star team

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

You could make a great team just by selecting players from the Golden State.

We have waited, and waited, and waited some more. We have anticipated a Freeway Series in October for 49 years now, for the Dodgers and Angels to challenge each other in the World Series.

Brandon Wood's memories could help him succeed with Angels

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The infielder, trying to finally win a place in the majors, was best friends with Henry Pearson, who died in the crash that also killed pitcher Nick Adenhart.

That damned car wreck.

Scioscia's latest creation for Angels: Brandon Wood, first baseman

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:57:00 -0700

Injuries have forced Angels Manager Mike Scioscia to experiment with his lineups. Wood, normally a shortstop and third baseman, gets a start at first, and it works out well enough.

So this is what Manager Mike Scioscia meant when, after Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero went on the disabled list Friday, he said he would have to get a little "creative" with his lineups.

Angels know how to rally

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Simply obeying their marching orders has them flirting with first place.

Amid swirling fountains, sweaty drinks and the scent of sunblock, Saturday afternoons at Angel Stadium are like a lovely picnic.

Angels score runs in bunches

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Juan Rivera sits it out, but they overcome another deficit to pound Yankees.

No. 3 hitter Torii Hunter and cleanup batter Vladimir Guerrero were put on the disabled list Friday, and the Angels scored 10 runs that night to beat the New York Yankees.