The Angels have won the first set of the 2009 freeway series, winning the finale at Dodger Stadium 10-7.  The star of the night, as it usually is lately, was center fielder Torii Hunter.  Torii made a spectacular catch deep in center to preserve a run and went 2-4 with three runs batted in.  Starter Matt Palmer didn’t fair too well in his start, only lasting four and two thirds giving up five hits and four earned runs.  He did not get the loss obviously, so his record will still stay flawless at 5-0.

Tonight’s game should be very exciting for several reasons.  For one, its memorial day and all thirty teams (including the Angels) will be wearing alternate hats to commemorate the day.   Vladimir Guerrero also makes his return, and will likely serve as the team’s designated hitter.  It is very exciting to finally have our top rate player back, and hopefully the Angels will go on a tear soon.  The White Sox’s John Danks will face off against Ervin Santana at six o’clock pacific time.

The Dodgers defeated the Angels 5-4 late on Saturday, even with the Angels’ ace John Lackey on the mound.  Lackey went seven strong innings allowing 3 earned-runs and exiting with the lead, yet Scot Shields blew the lead in the 8th and Jose Arredondo blew the game in the bottom of the 10th.  It was a dissapointment to watch, and it is becoming more and more apparant that our bullpen might not be on the best in the league like it usually is each and every year. On the other side of the ball it was a pretty good day, as Anaheim collected 12 hits including ten off Dodgers’ starter Randy Wolf.  Both Juan Rivera and Torii Hunter hit a home-run, their fourth and tenth respectively.

Matt Palmer vs. Chad Billingsley is the matchup for today’s afternoon affair.  Palmer is putting his perfect 5-0 record on the line against baseball’s best team, with the Angels looking to take the first series between these two rivals.

Jered Weaver knew it would be a challenge facing the Dodgers this year, who boast the game’s best record, but it did not phase him.  Jered went five innings stranding ten base-runners while allowing only one run and keeping the Angels at a tie.  That tie would be broken in the eighth, with Chone Figgins sending a single through the infield for two runs.  It was a terrible game for Anaheim, and especially Erick Aybar, but we found a way to get the victory out of it.  Aybar attempted twice to get a sacrifice bunt down, both times popping up to an infielder.  It was quite embarrasing, and the feeling was escalated when Aybar struck out on three straight balls and flung his bat towards third.  Mike Scioscia didn’t seem very excited about it, walking the other way when Aybar entered the dugout.  Izturis will likely get the start today and tomorrow, but that is just a guess after seeing Scioscia’s disguisted reaction.

Today’s game should be another good battle, with John Lackey making his third start of the year against veteran Randy Wolf.  The Angels need to grab this victory to win the series and get one step closer to superstar Vladimir Guerrero returning (on Monday).

Good news out of Rancho Cucamonga last night, as both outfielder Vladimir Guerrero and pitcher Kelvim Escobar had strong outings for the Single-A Quakes.  Vlad doubled and collected an RBI in his designated-hitter role, and Escobar went 4 2/3 strong frames allowing one hit and one walk.  Vladdy is healthy, and will likely get one or two more starts in Rancho before being back in the lineup Monday against the White Sox.  As for Escobar, the Angels are hoping that he will be back in early June when he is eliglible to come off the 60-day disabled list.  It is exciting to see two of our superstars returning soon, especially since first place is in very near range.

Joe Saunders pitched seven scoreless innings, giving the Angels their 21st win on the year, moving to within two of the Texas Rangers.  In those seven innings, Joe allowed four hits and walked three while striking out three.  While he might not strike out a lot of batters, Saunders has terrific command which allows him to be a very strong major-league pitcher.  The offense for the day came off solo home-runs from Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr. and Howie Kendrick.  Scot Shields and Brian Fuentes teamed up to close it out.

The freeway series begins today, with Jered Weaver taking on left-hander Clayton Kershaw  and the Dodgers.  Should be a very even matchup this year, with the Dodgers owning one of the best records in baseball.

Everyone’s due for a bad day right?  That’s the tune manager Mike Scioscia will be giving his club Thursday night, attempting to put the thought of Wednesday’s game behind them.  The Angels fell to Chris Jakabauskas and the Seattle Mariners 1-0,  compiling a mere three hits.  The offense was absolutely on fire before the game, but catcher Mike Napoli (one of our best hitters) was given the day off and outfielder Bobby Abreu left the game in the second after hurting his left toe.  The pitching was a positive though, with Ervin Santana pitching six and two thirds strong innings in his second start back from elbow problems.  His command was good,and it was a positive sign to see another one of our starters have a good outing.

The first place Rangers also lost on Wednesday, keeping the Angels’ defecit in the AL West to three games.  Good pitching matchup in the series finale today as left handers Joe Saunders and Erik Bedard will lock horns.

The Angels have finally added a free-agent reliever to aid the struggling pen.  Anaheim has came to terms with 40-year old reliever Rudy Seanez on a minor league deal.  Seanez had a strong campaign with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies last year, throwing 43 innings while posting a strong 3.53 ERA.  If he can continue to have that kind of success with the Angels, we found ourselves another strong middle reliever. 

It might take awhile to see Seanez with the big club, as he has been sent to their spring-training complex to get back into pitching shape.  Look for him in about one to two weeks, maybe a bit longer.

The Halos might have a new power bat.  First baseman Kendry Morales had a monster night at the plate on Monday, going 3-5 with a pair of home-runs and leading the Angels to a 10-6 victory.  The homers are his seventh and eighth of the year, and highlight Morales’ terrific start to the 2009 campaign.  Starter John Lackey went for Anaheim today, and had a serviceable start allowing four earned-runs in five innings to grab his first victory of 2009.  Bullpen arms Darren Oliver, Jose Arredondo and Justin Speier had strong innings and prevented Seattle from fighting back.

30-year old sensation Matt Palmer faces Seattle’s pride right-hander in Felix Hernandez tonight, look for a good game.  The Angels could really use a sweep of Seattle to get back on track.

In a dissapointing series, the Texas Rangers have swept the Angels and taken a four and a half game lead in the division.  Jered Weaver pitched a strong game, going eight innings while allowing three runs, but Rangers’ starter Scott Feldman blanked Anaheim for six innings and the bullpen did the rest.  Tough series to swallow, as it will definitely take awhile to get another shot at first place.  Still, we have to remember it is early and we still have more than one-hundred games remaining.

Matt Palmer is the listed starter for tomorrow’s game against the Seattle Mariners, but there is talk that John Lackey will take the mound instead.  Lackey got ejected after two pitches in yesterday’s game, and is absolutely rested if they do indeed go his way tomorrow.  Ex-Angel Jarrod Washburn will go for the Mariners.

In a questionable decision, home plate umpire Bob Davidson threw starting pitcher John Lackey out of the game after a mere two pitches.  It would prove costly, as the Angels lost 5-3 to Vicente Padilla and the Texas Rangers and now see themselves three and a half games out of first.  The inning started with Lackey throwing his first pitch of 2009 behind second-baseman Ian Kinsler.  There was no warning, yet when the second pitch plunked Kinsler on the ribs Davidson decided to bypass the warning and throw Lackey out of the game.  Shane Loux then had to enter the game with no outs in the very first inning, and he didn’t fair too well.  Rangers starter Vicente Padilla pitched a strong game, and was backed by exceptional Texas defense.  The Rangers deserved to win this one, and it hurts to see the Halos now down 0-2 in the series.

Manager Mike Scioscia will give the ball to starter Jered Weaver tomorrow, as he will try to last quite a bit longer than Lackey did.  Game time is 11 am pacific, and it should be an exciting battle.