The Angels out-hit the St. Louis Cardinals seven to three on Wednesday, but somehow still managed to lose the game 1-0. Yeah, you read that right. Seven hits and not a single run to show for it in Anaheim, a head-scratcher of a loss that just highlights a serious problem brewing.
Reid Detmers was on the mound, and man, he was battling more than just the Cardinals lineup. That brutal summer sun was baking him the whole game. Detmers absolutely cruised through most of his start, but you could see the fatigue creeping in. His fastball velocity steadily dropped from a blazing 94.1 MPH on his first pitch all the way down to just 91.9 MPH on his last one. It’s tough out there when the elements are against you. “It was just hot. The first couple innings felt really good and then the longer I stayed out there, obviously the more tired I got,” Detmers said after the game. He felt his “stuff felt really good actually,” just not the velo. That last, slower fastball? Cardinals’ JJ Wentworth took it deep for his 15th homer of the season, a solo shot in the top of the sixth that broke the scoreless tie. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki pulled Detmers right after that, ending what was otherwise an outstanding outing: 5.1 innings, one earned run, two hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. What a gut punch for a guy pitching so well.
This offensive disappearing act isn’t new. The Angels’ streaky hitting has been a real issue since the All-Star Break. They are only averaging two runs per game in their first six games of the second half, and even that number is boosted by a five-run explosion in the first inning of Tuesday’s victory. After that quick burst, the offense went completely dormant in that game too. They managed to win the series, which is good, but you can’t rely on one big inning to carry you. Manager Kurt Suzuki isn’t sounding the alarm bells just yet, calling it “two games” and admitting they “would like to get the big hit, that’s kind of eluded us a little bit.” But when you get seven hits and can’t push one run across, that’s more than just missing a “big hit,” right? That’s a fundamental problem.
Now, with the trade deadline fast approaching, Detmers’ strong start has only made him hotter. He’s projected to be one of the most sought-after trade targets in all of baseball. But Detmers is just trying to stay focused, ignoring all the chatter. “Obviously, you see stuff all the time. Try to stay off social media; it’s just one of those things,” he said. “Obviously, I’m here now and I’m doing my best I can to help this team win and get to where we want to be and that’s all my focus is.” You gotta respect that commitment. But with an offense that just won’t wake up, you have to wonder how long he’ll be pitching for the Angels trying to help them win. The Angels need to figure out this hitting slump, and fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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