This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Not even a four-run lead going into the 7th inning seemed safe for the Angels last night -- even though they were shutting out the worst team in baseball. And sure enough, in the 7th the Kansas City Royals knocked in three runs off of Anaheim starter Ervin Santana at the Big A.
Once the Angel bullpen took over, however, the mighty Royals cooled down, but it still wasn't pretty for the Halos or for Santana, who barely qualified for his sixth win.
One bright spot came earlier in the day when the Angels took centerfielder Darrin Erstad off the DL and optioned Tommy Murphy back to Salt Lake. Erstad had been sufferring from an ankle injury that has bothered him since spring training.
The switchhitting Murphy had been on the Angels roster since May 4 and only hit .243 with 1 HR, 3 SB, 9 hits and 11 strikeouts.
Erstad, clearly struggling before he went out, had managed zero home runs, one SB, and hit just .238 before he was placed on the DL two weeks ago. The 32-year-old two-time Golden Glover has not had a season over .300 since his phenomenal year 2000 when he hit .355, bashed 25 homers and drove in 100 runs.
The Angels are currently in dead last place in the AL West, seven games below .500.
LAist will not be referring to the club as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on this fine blog until they improve or unless we are being very sarcastic.
Image courtesy of Flickr: cover2
