Winning streak ends at seven
Pitching has been a strength, but Williams can’t get out of the second inning.
Williams can’t get out of the second inning, when Cardinals score seven runs. Pujols is still hitless against his former team.
There were home runs and clutch hits, some long rallies and superb defense, but when Mike Scioscia was asked Wednesday what fueled the Angels’ sevengame win streak, the manager pointed to the mound.
“We’re pitching well, we’re getting leads and we’re holding leads,” Scioscia said. “That’s what this team is built around. It’s clear to me that as our rotation puts up zeros and gives us a chance to win, that template works for us.”
Somebody misplaced the template Wednesday night. Angels starter Jerome Williams needed 10 pitches to breeze through a one-twothree first inning but couldn’t get out of the second, giving up seven runs on four hits and four walks in a 12-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium.
Matt Carpenter had a home run, double, single and three runs batted in, Yadier Molina had three hits, and Jon Jay had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs as the Cardinals snuffed out the Angels’ win streak.
“You’re going to have games that get away from you, and tonight was one of them,” Scioscia said. “We really didn’t have a chance.”
The well-traveled Williams has played for four major league teams since 2003, and Wednesday stirred some not-so-fond memories. The seven earned runs were the most he’s given up in a start since 2007 with Washington, and his 12⁄ 3- inning outing was his shortest start since 2006 with the Chicago Cubs.
“It’s frustrating,” Williams said. “I thought I threw the ball well, but I think the walks killed me. You walk guys, they’re going to score.”
The Angels gave up two runs or fewer in each of the last five games, and starting pitchers were 4-0 with a 2.76 earned-run average during the seven-game win streak.
It appeared Williams might continue the trend Wednesday night when he got Carpenter to ground out, struck out Jay and got Carlos Beltran to ground out in the first. The right-hander’s fastball touched 94 mph, he controlled his sinker, and he seemed to be pitching with confidence.
Then came a second inning that, for Williams, seemed as if it would never end. Allen Craig walked, Molina singled, and Matt Adams walked to load the bases.
David Freese grounded out, a run scoring. David Descalso doubled to right for two runs and a 3-0 lead, and Pete Kozma struck out. Carpenter singled to center to make it 4-0, and Jay followed with a drive to deep center.
Mike Trout leaped at the wall and appeared to make a spectacular catch. But when Trout’s glove hit the top of the fence, the ball squirted out and over the wall for a home run and a 6-0 lead, Trout slamming the wall with his right hand in frustration.
Beltran and Craig walked, and Williams, who threw 45 pitches in the second inning alone, was pulled in favor or Garrett Richards. Molina greeted Richards with a run-scoring single to left before Adams grounded out to end the inning.
St. Louis rookie Shelby Miller gave up two runs and five hits, including Hank Conger’s two-run homer in the second, to improve to 9-6 with a 2.80 ERA.
Another concern for the Angels: Designated hitter Albert Pujols, slowed all year by knee and foot injuries, is hitless in seven at-bats with three strikeouts against his former club and has two hits in his last 27 at-bats, his average falling to .244.
“I think physically, he’s status quo — I think he feels the same as he did 10 days ago, when he was swinging the bat well,” Scioscia said. “He’s just missing some pitches that he will hit.”