How the Angels lost (09/16): Mariners plate six in the sixth to bury Halos' pitching
How the Angels lost: The first two batters Jason Grilli faced to start the top of the fifth inning Tuesday night spoke volumes. It was a sign that it was going to be a long night for the Angels bullpen in what would eventually be a 13-2 loss to Seattle. Grilli walked the first batter he faced, Kendrys Morales, and hit the second, Logan Morrison. And then bottom fell out.
At the end of the inning what was a 2-0 Angels lead was all of a sudden a 4-2 deficit. By the end of the sixth inning, the club found itself down 10-2. The six-run sixth for the Mariners saw 11 batters come to the plate, three Angels relievers take the mound, and Robinson Cano go from the batter's box to third base on a bunt single. It was that kind of night, unfortunately, for the Angels.
Stud of the game: Kendrys Morales went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and scored two runs. Both of his hits and a run came in the six-run sixth inning for the Mariners.
Dud of the game: The Angels bullpen gave up 13 runs on Tuesday night. They were all earned.
Key stat: With Oakland losing, 6-3 to Texas, the Angels magic number to clinch the AL West is now 2.
Mariners rout Angels, gain ground in playoff race
They said it: "We just didn't pass the baton like we have been all year," Angels manager Mike Scioscia on Angels bullpen Tuesday night.
What's next: The series between the Mariners and the Angels will continue Wednesday with game three of four. It will be James Paxton (6-2, 1.83 ERA) of the Mariners taking on C.J. Wilson (12-9, 4.61 ERA).
