The Angels took game 2 of the 3 game set at Angel Stadium last night, with a huge 11-4 victory over the Yankees. This was mostly from a 8-run 8th inning against the Yankees’ bullpen. Going into that bottom of the 8th, the score had been tied up at 3.

Dan Giese and John Lackey were locked up in a good pitchers duel, and the score was 3-1 Yankees entering the bottom of the 7th inning. Then Garret Anderson and Mike Napoli homered off Jose Veras. With the score tied at 3 in the 8th, Vladimir Guerrero led off with an opposite-field blast. Then it just got fun for the Halos, who smacked hit after hit off of Edwar Ramirez and David Robertson. Ramirez wouldn’t even record an out, giving up 5 runs. (4 ER) By the time Vladdy came up and drove in his second run of the inning, it was 11-3. The Yanks mustered one more run, but the young kids in their bullpen proved to be the most killer for them. With Joba Chamberlain and Chien-Ming Wang out, the Yankees need their pitching staff to step up. Since these starters are hurt, it puts pressure not only on their starting rotation, but their bullpen that will probably see more work.

Back to the Angels…

The team moved to 73-43, 30 games above .500 and 14 games ahead of Texas in the standings. The addition of Mark Teixeira has really beefed up the starting lineup, putting less pressure on the other hitters, while scoring more runs for the pitchers. As a San Diego resident and a Padres fan, the next closest team to me is the Angels, who are right up the freeway. I look foward to San Diego football season, but am also full of hope for the Halos. It will be a fun October, even if my hometown team isn’t involved.