Getting to the ballpark in Arlington, Texas, has helped the Los Angeles Angels get their mind away from the tragedy that hit the team earlier this week.
The series finale against the Texas Rangers on Thursday could be more difficult, knowing Tyler Skaggs was supposed to pitch that night.
Skaggs, 27, was found dead in his team hotel room on Monday afternoon from unknown causes. The series opener scheduled for that night was cancelled. The Angels managed an emotion-filled 9-4 win against the Rangers when it resumed on Tuesday, then delivered a much steadier performance in a 6-2 win on Wednesday.
“We’re going to get through it,” Angels center fielder Mike Trout told Fox Sports West after hitting two home runs in Wednesday’s victory. “We’ve got a great group of guys. We’re going to pick each other up. We’re going to have moments where we’re upset and we’re wondering why, but we’re going to pick each other up and try to win some ball games.”
The Angels have had three players leave the past two games because of injuries.
Most notably was infielder Tommy La Stella, who learned on Sunday that he had made his first All-Star Game. He fouled a pitch off his shin on Tuesday night and sustained a right tibia fracture that will keep him out 8-10 weeks.
The Angels also lost outfielders Brian Goodwin (right hand contusion) and Justin Upton (left quad tightness) in the past two games, but their injuries are considered short term.
“For all that’s going on right now, this is pretty meaningless,” La Stella told reporters before Wednesday’s game.
Angels rookie right-hander Griffin Canning was originally scheduled to pitch on Wednesday night, but his 12th major league start was pushed back to Thursday.
Canning struggled in June before delivering his best performance of the month on Thursday in an 8-3 win against the Oakland A’s, the Angels’ only win in the four-game series. Canning allowed two runs and three hits in six innings, striking out six and walking one.
Canning (3-4, 3.79 ERA) faced Texas on May 24 in Anaheim and allowed one run and three hits in five innings, but he did not receive the decision in the 4-3 loss.
“I’m just trying to take it one pitch at a time,” Canning said afterward.
Canning should face stiff opposition from veteran right-hander Lance Lynn.
After going 4-0 in June with a 2.90 ERA, Lynn will be trying to win four straight starts for the first time in just over two years.
Lynn most recently threw eight shutout innings in a 5-0 win in Florida against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
“That’s as good as we’ve seen from him, for sure,” Texas manager Chris Woodward said.
Lynn (10-4, 4.00) faced the Angels twice in April and split those decisions.
He gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings on April 5 in Anaheim, but Trout homered off him in the sixth to break the tie in the 3-1 loss.
He faced them again 12 days later in Arlington and went 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and seven hits in the 5-4 win.
He’s 1-2 overall in five career starts against Los Angeles with a 4.30 ERA.
Lynn has gone at least six innings in 12 straight starts, going 8-2 in those games.