Mathis struggling defensively

When asked if it’s fair to say that he’s had problems throwing the ball to second base the past few weeks, Angels catcher Jeff Mathis said “absolutely.” Mathis made a critical throwing error on Saturday that …

How good are the 2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?

They have scored only 341 runs, while allowing 334. Their Pythagorean expected won-loss record is only 42-41. How are the Angels doing it? It’s pretty standard fare, really.

Rockies reel in Marlins on Spilborghs’ two-run single in 11th
Ryan Spilborghs’ two-run single off Kevin Gregg with one out in the 11th inning rallied the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over …

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D’backs sting Brewers with six runs in ninth inning
Conor Jackson hit the winning two-run single as the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied from a five-run ninth-inning deficit to defeat …

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Angels are well-armed but in need of some offensive pop
The perfect storm that had gathered all season finally descended on Chavez Ravine on Saturday night in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles …

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Baseball Today (AP)

How good are the 2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?

They have scored only 341 runs, while allowing 334. Their Pythagorean expected won-loss record is only 42-41. How are the Angels doing it? It’s pretty standard fare, really.

Glaus slams winning homer in ninth for Cards
Troy Glaus’ second homer of the game with two outs in the ninth won it for St. Louis, an inning after pinch-hitter Chris …

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Young Angels look up to veteran Oliver
Young Angels look up to Oliver Angels relief pitcher Darren Oliver just sat and watched from his locker as his two sons, Brock and Maxwell, wrestled with fellow reliever Justin Speier.

A’s snap White Sox’s 7-game win streak behind Duchscherer
Justin Duchscherer pitched seven solid innings, Jack Cust and Donnie Murphy homered and the Oakland Athletics beat Chicago 3-2 …

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Longoria’s hot bat helps Rays sweep Red Sox
Evan Longoria went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs Wednesday night, helping the surging Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox …

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Glaus slams winning homer in ninth for Cards
Troy Glaus’ second homer of the game with two outs in the ninth won it for St. Louis, an inning after pinch-hitter Chris …

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All-Star nod will affirm Hamilton’s climb from addiction depths
Josh Hamilton says the drug demons try to nudge him awake when he sleeps. They pester him when he’s alone, waiting for that moment …

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D’backs sting Brewers with six runs in ninth inning
Conor Jackson hit the winning two-run single as the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied from a five-run ninth-inning deficit to defeat …

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The Scioscia shuffle has Halos soaring
The Scioscia shuffle has Halos soaring The Halos have used 67 batting orders this year, and even though they took Tuesday’s game vs. the A’s, manager Mike Scioscia shows no signs of bucking the trend.

Cedar Rapids pitches one-hitter
Cedar Rapids pitches one-hitter

Angels‘ Escobar might be done for the season (Yahoo! Sports)
So much for that debate over whether Kelvim Escobar should return to the Los Angeles Angels rotation or bullpen.

Billingsley shuts down Astros in Dodgers‘ 5-2 win
Chad Billingsley pitched eight strong innings and Andre Ethier homered for the second straight game to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers …

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Future Shock: AL West Notebook by Kevin Goldstein

Tough Times On The Farm : The Angels are usually known for having one of the strongest farm systems in the game, but that’s quickly becoming no longer the case.

Glaus slams winning homer in ninth for Cards
Troy Glaus’ second homer of the game with two outs in the ninth won it for St. Louis, an inning after pinch-hitter Chris …

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Athletics give Dominican prospect $4.25 million signing bonus
The Oakland Athletics and prized 16-year-old pitching prospect Michael Inoa agreed Wednesday to a minor league contract with …

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Saunders gathers up 12th win as Angels fend off A’s
Joe Saunders pitched into the seventh inning to match Brandon Webb for the major league lead with his 12th win, and Juan Rivera …

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Hank Steinbrenner tries to awaken Yanks’ shaky offense
Hank Steinbrenner wants the New York Yankees to flash their offense as they enter what could be a key point of their season. …

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Analyzing our preseason picks
With a clearer view of the major league landscape at the midpoint of the season, we asked some of our baseball writers and editors …

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Bonds’ 756th homer ball finally lands in Hall
The ball Barry Bonds launched for his record-breaking 756th home run took a strange turn Tuesday on its possible path to …

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Athletics‘ Chavez returns to disabled list
The Oakland Athletics placed six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday because of …

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Overachievers are this season’s true fantasy All-Stars
Winning in fantasy baseball is all about profit. This year’s Fantasy All-Stars are players who have most exceeded their preseason …

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Anderson not lacking confidence

Considering his .188 batting average in June and the reality of a 36th birthday that fell on the second day of two days spent on the Angels‘ bench, Garret Anderson might have needed the positive affirmation of …

Cedar Rapids pitches one-hitter
Cedar Rapids pitches one-hitter

Saunders earns 12th win

Joe Saunders pitched into the seventh inning to match Brandon Webb for the major league lead with his 12th win, and Juan Rivera and Eric Aybar homered in the Los Angeles Angels‘ 7-4 win over the Oakland …

Weaver looks to build off strong outings
Weaver looks to build off strong outings Jered Weaver allowed no hits on Saturday against the Dodgers and still got the loss, but the right-hander isn’t worried about it. He instead is choosing to focus on the positives, like the fact that it was his second straight solid outing. He looks to make it three against the Jays on Friday.

Saunders wins AL-best 12th game
Saunders wins AL-best 12th game

Anderson out of action on Wednesday
Angels‘ Anderson sits on Wednesday Even after going 2-for-4 and hitting the game-winning home run on Tuesday night, Angels outfielder Garret Anderson was out of the starting lineup on Wednesday for the third time in four games.

Lackey’s June boon earns him award
Lackey’s June boon earns him award John Lackey was honored on Wednesday for a stellar June, in which he went 5-0 with a 1.16 ERA, earning the honor as the American League Pitcher of the Month.

The Scioscia shuffle has Halos soaring
The Scioscia shuffle has Halos soaring The Halos have used 67 batting orders this year, and even though they took Tuesday’s game vs. the A’s, manager Mike Scioscia shows no signs of bucking the trend.

51s’ lead doesn’t last long; Fresno claims 8-4 victory

SALT LAKE BEES AT LAS VEGAS 51S * WHEN: 7:05 p.m. today-Thursday WHERE: Cashman Field RECORDS: Bees 50-32; 51s 44-40 AFFILIATIONS: Salt Lake, Los Angeles Angels; Las Vegas, Los Angeles Dodgers TODAY’S PITCHERS: …

Anderson’s home run lifts Angels over A’s

Vladimir Guerrero triggered a three-run rally in the eighth inning with an RBI single and Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Saunders earns 12th win

Joe Saunders pitched into the seventh inning to match Brandon Webb for the major league lead with his 12th win, and Juan Rivera and Eric Aybar homered in the Los Angeles Angels‘ 7-4 win over the Oakland …

66ers roll to victory

James Adkins outpitched two major league pitchers Monday, allowing one run in seven innings to lead the Inland Empire 66ers past the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, 6-1, at the Epicenter.

Angels‘ Lackey named AL Pitcher of the Month (PA SportsTicker)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim righthander John Lackey on Wednesday was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for June.

Get lowdown with midseason check-up
The best way to look at the 81-game midpoint of the baseball season is to treat it like a check-up at the doctor’s office get …

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Major-league firings produce only minor spark
Interim managers are hired midseason to bring a quick turnaround to a disappointing year, but so far the results have been mixed …

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Get lowdown with midseason check-up
The best way to look at the 81-game midpoint of the baseball season is to treat it like a check-up at the doctor’s office get …

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All-Star nod affirms Hamilton’s climb from addiction
Josh Hamilton says the drug demons try to nudge him awake when he sleeps. They pester him when he’s alone, waiting for that moment …

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Athletics‘ Chavez returns to disabled list
The Oakland Athletics placed six-time Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday because of …

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Angels‘ Escobar might be done for the season (Yahoo! Sports)
So much for that debate over whether Kelvim Escobar should return to the Los Angeles Angels rotation or bullpen.

Anton shows first-strike capability

Michael Anton squeezed a lot out of his 99 pitches Sunday afternoon, but none were more important than the first one each batter saw.

Pass out the midterm report cards (Yahoo! Sports)
We don’t grade on a curve, and that’s why only the Rays get an A-plus while three teams are given Fs.

Athletics give Dominican prospect $4.25 million signing bonus
The Oakland Athletics and prized 16-year-old pitching prospect Michael Inoa agreed Wednesday to a minor league contract with …

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Blackburn helps Twins tweak Tigers, seal shutout
Nick Blackburn combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and Joe Mauer’s two-out, two-run single sparked a five-run third …

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