2018 is coming to an end and of course there were plenty of highlights around Major League Baseball. The Angels had some memorable performances throughout the year as well.
There are a few moments that come to mind and I will go through the best hitting performance and top pitching performances of the year for the Angels.
The best hitting performance came from none other than Mike Trout, who many believe to be the best player in the Major Leagues. Trout’s best performance of the year came on May 26, against the New York Yankees with the National spotlight on as this game was broadcasted on FOX. Mike went 5 for 5 with 4 RBI in an 11-4 victory against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Trout started off the game by hitting an RBI double off of New York’s starter Sonny Gray to score 2B Zack Cozart from first.
In Trout’s next at-bat in the top of the third, he doubled to right field. Mike Trout was up again in the top of the 4th inning with 1 runner on and he hit a two-run home run to left field to score RF Kole Calhoun. The Angels took the lead after Trout’s homerun to knock starter Sonny Gray out of the ballgame. In, the top of the 6th with relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle pitching, Trout hit a double to score Cozart again and catcher Jose Briceno, who scored on an error. Trout was now 4 for 4 and with 1 more at-bat in the top of the 7th against relief pitcher Chasen Shreve, Trout hit a groundball to the SS and beat the throw from Didi Gregorious to get an infield hit. Trout went 5 for 5 in what was one of the best hitting performances in Trout’s career.
The best pitching performance was tough to pick, but there were two great starts with one by right handed pitcher Shohei Ohtani against the Oakland Athletics. On Sunday, April 8,2018 Shohei Ohtani made his 1st start at Angels stadium and 2nd start of his career. Shohei Ohtani started off this game with a bang, by striking out side. The offense gave Ohtani an early lead and Ohtani was on cruise control. Ohtani even took a no-hitter into the top of the 7th, but SS Marcus Semien broke it up with a single to left field. Ohtani’s final line would be 7 innings pitched, 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 12 strikeouts. The Angels would go on to win the game 6-1 against the Oakland Athletics.
The other pitching performance belongs to left handed pitcher Andrew Heaney who started against the Kansas City Royals. This start came on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 and it was pretty special because it was Andrew’s 27th birthday as well. This game was a pretty quiet one as Andrew got only 1 run of support and that run came on a double steal attempt and the runner,CF Chris Young was able to steal home with RF Michael Hermosillo stealing 2B to get the catcher Salvador Perez’s attention. Andrew gave up 1 hit in the top of the 5th and that was single to 1B Hunter Dozier. Heaney pitched a complete game while giving up 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 4 strikeouts.
Featured Image: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
