Week ahead for Angels: Interleague series vs. Rockies before 10-game road trip
The Angels welcome the Colorado Rockies for an interleague series on Tuesday and Wednesday following Monday's off day. It's the only week this season, excluding the All-Star break, in which the Angels have two off days in the same week. The team will be off Thursday as well before visiting the Orioles for a weekend series to begin a 10-game road trip. All games can be seen on FOX Sports West.
The week behind
Four of the first seven games were wins for the Angels on its current nine-game home stand. The club took two of three from the Mariners. The first place Astros then came to town and the Halos were able to split that four-game series, including Sunday's finale in which Garrett Richards flirted with a no-hitter into the seventh inning. The Angels pitching staff allowed just one hit over the last 15 innings of the series.
Record and standings
The Angels enter Monday 15-17 on the year and in second place in the American League West, five games behind the first place Astros. At 20-12, Houston remains the only team in the AL West with an above .500 record.
Thumb's up
Carlos Perez enjoyed success during his first week in the majors. The rookie catcher hit .357 (5-for-14) with a double, three RBI, and a home run in four games. Perez hit a walk-off home run in his first big league game to become just the fourth player in major league history to do so and the first since Miguel Cabrera in 2003.
Hey @Angels - appreciate the support tonight! pic.twitter.com/GAaPR84fIJ
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) May 11, 2015
Thumb's down
Matt Shoemaker had a rough home stand. He allowed 10 hits in two starts last week. Six of those hits were home runs. Shoemaker has now given up 10 home runs this season which, entering Monday, is the most in the American League.
Player to watch
Jered Weaver not only picked up his first win of the season but he did so in complete game, shutout fashion. The Angels ace doesn't care about velocity but he hit 89 MPH with his fastball after struggling to get into the mid 80s at the beginning of the season.
Stat to watch
After Shoemaker was unable to get past three innings on Saturday, the Angels bullpen came in and tossed six scoreless, hitless innings. Entering Monday, that streak is up to 8.1 innings.
