Angels' bullpen lets them down again in 6-4 loss to Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Many of the Angels' problems early this season can be traced back to their bullpen, which is right where Oswaldo Arcia's tiebreaking homer landed Saturday.
Arcia connected in the eighth inning off Los Angeles reliever Joe Smith, sending the Minnesota Twins to a 6-4 victory and their second consecutive comeback win against the Angels following an 0-9 start this year.
The ball sailed an estimated 419 feet and came down in the Los Angeles bullpen, where Smith (0-1) had warmed up just moments before.
"It's no secret: Our bullpen hasn't been as good as we've wanted it to be to start the year, and obviously over these last two games," Smith said.
One day after manager Mike Scioscia opted for Fernando Salas over Smith in Friday night's loss, the Angels turned to Smith and got the same result.
Five pitches after Arcia's home run, Byung Ho Park gave the Twins some late insurance by belting a 462-foot homer to center field. Park also knocked in the decisive run against Salas the previous night.
"We have to get it going down on our end," Smith said. "We should've won that game last night, definitely. And it easily should've still been a tie game going into that ninth."
An early lead for Los Angeles, established with four runs in the second inning, slowly evaporated as the Angels' bats went cold. Smith then allowed consecutive home runs for the first time in his career.
The frustration showed on the faces of Scioscia and his players as the Angels (5-6) dropped consecutive games for the third time this season. The two losses in Minnesota have come by a combined three runs.
"Joe usually keeps the ball in the park," Scioscia said. "Those were two mistakes he made."
Angels starter Jered Weaver usually dominates Minnesota — he is 9-2 against the Twins and hasn't lost to them since August 2010 — but he struggled early on Saturday. He allowed two runs in the first inning, and Trevor Plouffe tagged Weaver for a solo homer in the third and a tying double in the fifth.
Ryan Pressly (1-0) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth for the win in relief of starter Ricky Nolasco. Kevin Jepsen threw a scoreless ninth for his second save.
Nolasco worked seven innings for the second consecutive start, although he wasn't as sharp as his first outing against Kansas City. The veteran righty gave up all four of his earned runs in the second inning, blowing an early 2-0 lead.
GONE COLD
The Angels scored four times in the second, capped by Cliff Pennington's two-run double. Five consecutive hits gave Los Angeles a 4-2 lead, but Nolasco retired 14 of the next 16 Angels he faced. Los Angeles mustered two hits between the third and sixth innings.
"He definitely found his breaking ball," Scioscia said of Nolasco. "After the four runs, we didn't get too many good looks at him."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: The team placed reserve OF Daniel Nava on the disabled list with left knee tendinitis. Scioscia said the knee gave Nava trouble in spring training before flaring up during a series in Oakland earlier in the week. The Angels recalled Rafael Ortega from Triple-A Salt Lake to take Nava's spot on the roster. ... Scioscia said LHP Tyler Skaggs, working his way back from reconstructive elbow surgery, felt good after throwing three innings for Salt Lake on Friday.
Twins: Manager Paul Molitor said OF Byron Buxton's bruised left hand was feeling better, but Buxton needs to feel more comfortable in batting practice before returning.
UP NEXT
Angels: Nick Tropeano (1-0) makes his second start of the season Sunday after throwing five scoreless innings in his season debut last Monday at Oakland.
Twins: Kyle Gibson (0-2) will try for his first win against the Angels on Sunday in his third start of the season. Gibson has faced Los Angeles six times, going 0-2 with a 7.18 ERA, nine walks and 17 strikeouts.