Angels' Win Streak Ends in New York

The Angels were riding a three game winning streak as they headed into New York to take on the Yankees. While they were able to hang around for a while, L.A.'s relief pitching succumbed to timely hitting by the Yankees, and the Angels dropped their first game at the new Yankees' Stadium by a final of 7-4.

L.A. wasn't without its chances, though, and they were locked in a 4-4 tie as the teams headed to the bottom of the eighth. But Mike Scioscia's strategy didn't work out as planned., and Justin Speier gave up three runs in the frame to get tagged with the loss.

With one out and runners on second and third, Scioscia elected to intentionally walk Nick Swisher to load the bases. Unless a dominant power hitter is waiting on-deck, that's pretty much the by-the-book strategy in that situation. It backfired this time, as Melky Cabrera drilled a single to right, scoring the go-ahead run and leaving the bases loaded for Ramiro Pena. Pena connected on a two-run double to deep right, giving the Yankees their final three runs which were enough to seal the victory.

Anthony Ortega made his second start for the Angels, and he is the eighth different starting pitcher the team has trotted out there in its first 21 games. He went six and a third innings and gave up eight hits and three earned runs. Not horrible, but not great either. Scot Shields was harmless, giving up a walk in two-thirds of an inning of work. And we already told you about Speier.

The bottom line is, until John Lackey and Ervin Santana get back into the rotation, the Angels are going to struggle.

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