Albert Pujols can recall two rough starts that turned out pretty well for him.
Distracted
by his contract situation last year, Pujols was hitting in the .260s
into early June but turned it on from there and wound up leading the
Cardinals to a World Series title. He also he got off "to a really rough
start" in 2003 before winning a batting title. That start wasn't all
that rough -- he began 7-for-29 (.241) but finished April with a .382
average.
In a new situation with a new team this year, Pujols is
off to another rocky start. After going 1-for-5 Thursday, he is batting
.217 (5-for-23) through his first six games as an Angel.
"It's a
slow start for the team. This is not about me," Pujols said before the
Angels fell to 2-4 with a 10-9 loss to the Twins on Thursday. "We could
be 4-1. You look at our lineup, nobody's started hitting yet. It's a
long season. You have a tendency as a player to press to try to get off
to a good start."
Manager Mike Scioscia said Pujols' slow start
was attributable to the slugger "just trying to get comfortable with new
environments ... hitting backgrounds, new pitchers" after changing
teams and leagues for the first time in his career. Pujols dismissed
that, saying "baseball is baseball" and the only difference in the
American League is the DH.
"I'm trying to stay inside the ball
and not think too much," he said. "I think that's what's been going on
these last few days -- I'm thinking too much instead of just seeing the
ball and putting a good swing on it."
But the player who is
considered the best hitter of his generation is not overly concerned
about the slow start to his Angels tenure.
"Not to be cocky, but I
know I can hit," he said. "It's not going to go away like that (snaps
fingers), from one day to the next."
NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Jerome Williams (strained left hamstring) threw a bullpen session
Thursday morning at Target Field. He will be activated from the
disabled list Sunday and join the rotation as the fifth starter. The
Angels will send out a position player (most likely INF Alexi Amarista)
to make room for Williams on the roster, expanding their pitching staff
to 12.
--RHP Dan Haren allowed three runs on nine hits and a walk
in just five innings Thursday against the Twins, but he stranded seven
baserunners in that time. Haren has given up 20 hits in his first 10 1/3
innings this season.
--RHP Rich Thompson allowed four runs on
five hits in the final 1 1/3 innings of Thursday's loss. Angels
relievers allowed seven runs on 11 hits in the final three innings as
Los Angeles blew a 6-0 lead in a game and lost for the first time since
May 10, 1994 (against the Mariners).
--INF Mark Trumbo started at
designated hitter Thursday and went 2-for-4 with his first home run of
the season. In his past eight games against the Twins, Trumbo has five
home runs and 14 RBI, including two home runs off LHP Francisco Liriano.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4-11 -- The Angels' record at new Yankee Stadium since it opened in 2009. They play a three-game series there this weekend.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
"We know we're better than we're playing right now. It's only six
games. There are 156 left. Of course we'd like to have gotten off to a
better start, but we'll be fine." -- RHP Dan Haren, after the Angels
fell to 2-4 with a loss in Minnesota on Thursday.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Jerome Williams (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day
disabled list retroactive to March 26. He made rehab starts for Class A
Inland Empire on April 5 and April 10. He is scheduled to be activated
to join the Angels the first time they need a fifth starter, April 15.
--RHP Michael Kohn (mild flexor strain in right arm) went on the 15-day
disabled list retroactive to March 26. He was due to undergo
season-ending Tommy John surgery April 12.
--RHP Bobby Cassevah
(right shoulder discomfort) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive
to March 26. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Inland Empire on
April 6, and he could return in mid- to late April.
--OF Jeremy
Moore (left hip surgery in March 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list
retroactive to March 26. He is unlikely to return before mid-June.
