ANGELS POSTCAST: Kikuchi FANS 12, HR Halos SWEEP Boston Red Sox and reach .500 with 5-2 win at Big A

ANGELS POSTCAST: Kikuchi FANS 12, HR Halos SWEEP Boston Red Sox and reach .500 with 5-2 win at Big A

this is the Angels Post Cast your instant game reaction for the Los Angeles Angels part of the Locked On podcast network your team every day bring it out bring it out bring it out bring it out you knew the broom was coming you knew the broom was coming the vibes oh man I got it flipped around vibes are so high today folks vibes are so high bring it all out bring it all out bring it all out crazy we’re doing this after getting 500 but hey we will take it hello Halo Nation hello Halo hopefuls and welcome back to the latest edition of the Locked On Angels podcast coming at you live as always hit him with a Christian more coming at you live as always after every single Angels game and after an angel’s sweep right here on the locked on angels YouTube channel and after the fact both on the channel and wherever the heck you get the locked on Angels audio podcast feed if you don’t know who I am I’m feeling too cool for school today i’m Gavin Carlson former credential journalist in the LA area spent four years covering USA Sports with the Daily Breuin and now in year two I got to put the broom down i got to put the broom down in year two with the Locked On podcast network where it’s your team every day our team is the Angels baby and you can pull out every single Angels item you own today because the Angels have completed a impressive sweep of the Boston Red Sox they’ve done the unthinkable and gotten back to a 500 record for the first time in over a month they’ve won a day game for the first time in 10 tries with a 5-2 win over the Red Sox a dead lifeless Red Sox team man they looked awful today as the Angels come back from a two nothing deficit early after the first inning they score five runs in the fourth fifth and sixth innings to steal a win they win 5-2 they get the sweep and a lot of great performances today before we get into it shout out to everybody in here it’s the middle of the day on a Wednesday and yet another huge crowd had a huge crowd yesterday after that unbelievable win uh with Christian Moore and a big crowd again today so shout out to all the regulars shout out to all the new people remember this is the place to be after every single Angels game right here live i react to your comments this is a community and shout out to everybody in here but let’s not waste any time let’s get right to it i think you guys know where I’m going with this one this is the locked on player of the game let’s not waste any time you say Kikuchi with an absolute gem today absolutely the player of the game he goes seven innings gives up just three hits gives up just two runs both of them unearned by the way one walk and almost almost in what has been a a pretty special career almost a careerhigh with 12 strikeouts in this one absolutely dominant i mean the fact that there’s multiple times where Montgomery was like getting ready to take him out of the game right even pulled the Ron Washington with two outs in the sixth inning goes up to him on the mound we’re like are we really going to take him out no he wasn’t just checks in on him kikuchi gets the last out absolutely great performance and that signing of Usay Kikuchi is despite the record don’t let the three and six fool you a 279 ERA the guy never gives up more than three earned runs i forget how many consecutive starts it is without giving up three earned runs he has been phenomenal 279 RA let me repeat that one more time one more time 279 ERA and we’ve got Fury or Furry in here saying “No not Kikuchi it’s Adele and Darno we needed those runs to win i respectfully and very respectfully but I respectfully disagree because what have I been saying and I’m sounding like a broken record at this point but what do I say every single game make it a coin flip make it a close ball game this Angels team for whatever reason when it is close whenever you need some clutch hitting they usually get the job done and so once again respectfully I love it once again just like the kind of the last couple games right the Angels have been winning games in different ways for a while it was winning games because we score runs in the first innings a lot and we score runs in the ninth inning a lot right yesterday it was the eighth and 10th innings right we like to score early in games and late in games that’s what we typically do but a couple times recently in this stretch this positive stretch for the Angels it has not been that case we have not been jumping ahead in the first inning right or there’s been games where we like earlier in the series fell behind three nothing then took a 5-3 lead then lost that lead again right we haven’t been ahead going into the second or third inning often lately but what has been the difference is that despite giving up runs in the first inning despite falling behind the comeback ability the resilience the bounceback ability of our starters yes of course the offense has to score the runs later in the ball game for the comeback to be complete but what you cannot forget in these comebacks is the fact that our starters are keeping us in the game how many times last year were the Angels down two nothing and then it became 4 nothing or 6 nothing or 8 nothing and then the Angels we would we would make fun of it they would score four runs in the seventh or the eighth inning but the difference last year is that two nothing deficit was suddenly 6 nothing 7 nothing eighth in nothing so when we scored those three four runs we were still down we were still down and they felt like useless runs in a season where all of our games felt like useless games yes we’re 500 yes there’s a possibility that this team could be a neutral or buyer at the deadline and actually have a competitive second half of the season but above all else we have been saying it since day one the goal of this season is to be competitive for as long as possible as late in the season as possible so that all of your young guys get meaningful at bats in July in August in September instead of being 30 games under 500 in August and everything feeling useless well guess what you can use that same logic not for the season as a whole but for each game right of course the goal is to win every game the same way the goal of the season is to make it to the playoffs it always is right even though we don’t do it but in the game outside of winning what is the goal for as long as possible in the ball game in inning 7 8 nine be close have meaningful at bats you get a game like last night where if the Angels were down a bunch of runs and Christian Moore hits a home run we say golf club golf clap but we’re pissed off right that we lost but because the game is close because the at bats in the late innings are meaningful because it’s a close game you’re able to win games and you’re also able to learn a lot about the gusto of some of your players right and so I don’t want it to be lost yes we will certainly get to the two runs in the fourth the two runs in the fifth the run in the sixth we will get to the bullpen being phenomenal once again but I do not want us to overlook and use recency bias see what happens in the later innings and forget the reason we were in the game in the first place and that’s because after Kikuchi gives up two runs in the first inning mind you didn’t get much help from his team an error by Kry gets Duran and I know I said Duran I was thinking of Jaylen Duran basketball player it’s Jiren Duran right but because of the error it’s unearned runs in this one right despite that what a veteran response Once again from Us Kikuji and this is not the first time he’s had a rough start to the ball game and then settled in that’s when you know your stuff is good that’s when you know mentally physically and your stuff that you are locked in when you’re able to go through the order a second time and a third time and have a bunch of swing and misses and have the res resilience right so don’t don’t overlook Kikuchi start man it was phenomenal anytime you can strike out 12 anytime you cannot have an earned run get through seven innings let’s not forget we do have tomorrow off but this bullpen has been used a lot and so not only do you save bullpen arms now you have tomorrow off you’re as fresh as could be going into Friday night against the Nationals so you say Kikuchi he is your player of the game the offense did its thing as well at times but he is your player of the game he’s the reason this game was close and he is the number one reason why you won this ball game so shout out to him the same way we got great starts from Tyler Anderson albeit not five for linking still a great job by him we’ve gotten it from Soraniano a lot recently you know Kohanowitz has mixed it in every once in a while the fact that we are able to keep games close because our starters are doing their job and showing resilience and a bounceback ability it’s huge it is absolutely huge so you say Kikuchi he deserves the whole first segment he is your player of the game one more time in case you forgot seven innings without an earned run that error results in two unearned runs he gives up just three hits just one walk 12 strikeouts dominant the fact that he’s only three and six is a crime the RA is 279 and he’s absolutely proven that this was not just a fluke this was not just a fluke you know had a good couple of months with the Astros no no no no no this signing feels real real legit at this point it’s exactly what we need a power lefty arm now and you got a power righty arm in Serano you’ve got some finesse in Tyler Anderson some finesse in Kyle Hendris some in between in Jack Hanoitz this rotation has quietly been very very solid so we’re going to take our break here when we come back we will get into the hitting performances including Joe Adele capping off or the month’s not even over yet but already one of the best months we’ve ever seen from an angel hitter at least from a power standpoint we’ll get to that we’ll talk about Travis Darno we’ll talk about the series as a whole and yes we will preview the first opportunity to get to over 500 since game 21 of the season we’ll do all of that after our break here on what on what on what on a victory edition of the Locked Angels Postcast i’ll be right back now on this Wednesday today’s show is brought to you by Supply House get the supplies you need from the site made for the skilled trades supply house whether you’re in plumbing HVAC or electrical work Supply House is the reliable way to order products online their easytouse website is packed with helpful resources and the latest product info to help you get the job done right plus with a complete inventory of over 200,000 parts from 400 plus top brands you’ll find exactly what you need delivered fast from coast to coast if you need help with an order Supply House offers expert support and industryleading service so you’ll always talk to a real person and for trade pros looking for an extra edge their free tradem 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everything done in one app is great right i’m someone who has a ton of apps a ton of apps and I like them they’re all functional they all help me in my life but the fact that when it comes to my finances both currently my budgeting my spending and planning f my future with my investments the fact I can do it all in one app it is a game changer it saves so much time and so much mental headache right so if you like me want to take control of your finances with MonarchMoney use code lockdown mob atmononey.com for 50% off your first year that’s huge not just a month right it’s the entire year 50% off that’s monarchoney.com code locked on MLB for half off your first year and yes it’s time for a throat spray break back here live on a victory edition a sweep edition of the locked on Angels postcast angels back to 500 in the record column record column 500 record 40 and 40 through 80 games how great it would be to go exactly halfway through the season being over 500 that would absolutely make it a successful first half of the season and they have that opportunity this weekend at the Big A against the Nationals but they get to 500 for the first time since May 23rd thanks to a stellar seven inning start 12 strikeouts just three hits just one walk two runs both unearned from Usay Kikuchi that’s why he’s your player of the game but let’s not forget the Angels were down two nothing because of those early unearned runs and it took once again some homerun Halo magic for the Angels to get back into this one and ultimately take the lead and win it and that’s where we take you to the turning point time to reveal where the game was won or lost it’s the turning point and of course it’s that bottom of the fourth inning where the Angels go backto back backto back jacks look at this point we just have to accept it right there’s teams that are good offenses because they get a lot of hits there’s teams that are good offenses despite not having a lot of hits because they play small ball they get on via the walk they steal bases they have sack bunchs they have sack flies and then there’s offenses that are good despite not getting a lot of hits because man oh man they just hit a bunch of freaking home runs and at that at this point we have to accept that at least right now that’s who the Angels are and at least it’s getting the job done enough right joe Adele ha continues to have an unbelievable month of June if you listen to the postgame interview from him and I did it was a great one right for for Joe Adele first and foremost he’s entered pretty unique special territory his 10th home run in the month of June angels hitters that have done that the likes of Mike Trout and Anderson and Salmon and Otani right not very many guys i think there’s one or two others he’s in special category with 10 home runs in the month of June there’s still a few games left for him to get to 11 or 12 he’s got 17 on the year and yes is the average not great yes does he strike out a ton yes but at the end of the day I I maybe I glaze OPS a little bit too much it’s just a perfect stat in my opinion it summarizes everything it accounts for you know on base percentage and slugging and average and strikeouts and all of that right if you just want to look at one stat not more in my opinion just look at this look at your OPS and in my opinion it’s pretty easy joe Adell has suddenly skyrocketed to the top OPS on the team 793 because the man has 17 home runs he gets another two RBI’s in this one he goes two for four because he had another RBI he is your player of the game in terms of hitting and he starts the rally for the Angels in the bottom of the fourth with the solo shot another impressive swing for him his ability to not just hit the ball down the left field line anymore this one on an O2 pitch as well he gets a hanging slider he loves a hanging slider and he hits it 433 ft 108.1 exit VO against Fitz who was having a good start up until that point but man things go downhill quickly for him joe Adell with a huge bomb and then the very next batter Travis Darno the very next pitch a fast ball above the letters above the zone it was a ball but he was clearly sitting on it he crushes it at 394 ft to right center very impressive swing from Travis Darnell he’s got his fourth home run of the year when we made that acquisition the offseason we said two things he’s going to occasionally give you a home run and he’s going to give some coverage behind the plate when Logan Hoppy needs to take a break that’s what he’s done a couple times and all of his home runs let’s be honest think of all four of his home runs might be meaningful home runs he hasn’t had one in a game where we’re already up eight nothing or a game where we’re down eight nothing feels like all of his home runs have been important moments and he gets it done there once again that even the game at two again don’t be don’t forget it at this point kikuchi was absolutely grooving he strikes out the side in the fifth to keep that momentum going and then the offense keeps that momentum going nolan Shoel sure he didn’t have a hit in this series but he did get on via the walk here to start the bottom of the fifth um Christian Moore ends up on base on a fieldielder’s choice trout again another guy who maybe didn’t have a great series in terms of base hits but boy oh boy did he take a lot of walks he makes it first and second ward strikes out but then two on two out two ball game and guess who joe Adele again this time it’s a fast ball outside corner one-1 pitch he’s looking forward for him to hit a ground ball up the middle that might be even more beautiful than the home run from Joe Adell he’s getting it done in different ways they’ve been talking a lot about his batting practices him hitting the ball to right center field suddenly all the time this was another great example 110.9 off the bat on a ground ball up the middle that’s able to score a speedy Christian Moore and make it three to two and then guess who again travis Darno comes through again this time a little a soft liner into left field trout chose some decent wheels scoring that made it 4-2 and while Lamont Wade grounds out we’re not able to add more at this point it’s 4 to2 you’ve got all the momentum guess what you you say Kikuchi does in the top of the sixth one two three once again the guy deserves so much freaking credit for keeping the momentum going and then oh this was a beautiful inning to see you see Ranifo get a hit you see Kry get a hit uh despite the pop out from Shawnuel new pitcher comes in it’s Zack Kelly christian Moore strikes out but then once again talk about a guy you want to see have a 2-2 RBI single or excuse me a two out RBI single it’s Mike Trout a guy who hasn’t done that very often we’ve talked about it a lot he comes through here sure it was a blooper into right field but it gets down renifo is able to score that makes it 5-2 and it cannot be understated the confidence that you have when you go up 5-2 knowing how good Kikuchi’s been knowing how solid the bullpen is and let’s be honest the Red Sox look pretty freaking lifeless at this point it never felt like once the Angels went up 4-2 but especially 5-2 I never had any doubt that the Red Sox were I I didn’t expect the Red Sox to come back in this one it felt like yeah we got this one right this is the the difference between a team like the Angels right now that’s showing confidence that’s showing liveless that has young energy versus a Red Sox team that should have young energy but they just look deflated they just traded their best player they just got swept by the freaking Angels they lost uh in San Francisco they look pretty down and out and were able to take advantage with an impressive 52 win the Angels do have 10 hits uh very impressive they do strike out 12 times you’re always going to get that but three hits from Darno three for four with two RBI’s joadedell two for four with two RBI’s you had two hits from Ren Heo love to see that he’s quietly getting a little bit hotter lamont Wade had a base hit kangar a base hit trout with that RBI single as well and two more walks for him that OPS is 779 because he keeps getting on base and he keeps getting RBI so let’s not rip on Trout too much another great win now let’s quickly talk about the upcoming series the Nationals lost today one- nothing in San Diego we know that that’s not an elite baseball team i’d say we are a better baseball team than them right now and we have a huge opportunity to get to above 500 a winning record for the first time since the team was on game 21 let’s not forget the Angels started the season 8 and four then they started losing a bunch of games and by game 22 we were already you know 500 and then below so we have an opportunity to go by above 500 for the first time in a while and you absolutely love to see it some other good news in this series you know Kenley Jansen left the game early a couple games ago he’s okay and now an MRI reveals no structural damage for Zack Neto which is great news like you’re all talking about daytoday i wouldn’t be surprised if we see him on Friday or maybe Saturday um and so the Angels everyone of course you know guys like Ben Joyce are still not there and Stevenson aren’t there but most of the team is healthy knock on wood and now you have a huge opportunity on Friday after the day off tomorrow to go ahead of 500 and really make things interesting going into the all-star break and the tread trade deadline and all of that so let’s enjoy the day off tomorrow and then we’ve got an interesting one it’ll be Irvin for the Nationals on Friday night against Sorano you know how I feel against Sorano i think we’ve got the advantage whenever he’s on the mound in my opinion then apparently it’s going to be Sroka who’s not been good against Kyle Hendricks who’s been okay and then it’s Parker who has not been good against Kohanowitz who hasn’t been good so I’m expecting a lot of runs this weekend i think that favors the Angels against a 33 and 48 Nationals team so let’s get it done it’s going to be exciting exciting exciting but shout out to everybody in here uh you know how much I appreciate you guys yesterday was very very special just to have so many people in here a lot of new faces a lot of familiar faces again a huge crowd today despite it being 4:34 PM on a Wednesday it’s not night time there’s a lot of people at work or driving home from work or everything like that so shout out to all of you absolutely agree La Habra Sports fan let’s at least get two out of three john I’m liking that let’s maybe get to 45 wins before the All-Star break agree with absolutely both of those things vinnie I cannot make it to the Big A this weekend but I promise it’s going to happen soon i really do promise it’s going to happen soon i’m going home to the Bay Area this weekend got uh you know some family stuff unfortunately um but but then some good stuff as well of course I’ll be doing my shows as usual but I’ll see you back here Friday night angels win one more time one more time let me get it let me get it it’s the sweet broomstick baby get your brooms out have a great rest of your Wednesday night and I’ll see you back here Friday night it’s a night game it’s a Friday night yes AJ’s right don’t forget to vote for our halos in the all-star voting and I’ll see you back here Friday night angels win angels sweet angels are 40 and 40 we’ve got a huge series upcoming this weekend i’ll see you there take care

Yusei Kikuchi was phenomenal on Wednesday, as the Los Angeles Angels’ ace struck out 12 and didn’t allow an earned run to help the Halos earn a 5-2 win and SWEEP the Boston Red Sox at the Big A. In this Locked On Angels Postcast, Gavin Carlson celebrates Kikuchi, breaks down the clutch swings from Jo Adell and Travis d’Arnaud that got the offense going, and recaps the sweep while looking ahead to the weekend series against the Washington Nationals.

Follow Gavin Carlson on X/Twitter @GavinCarlson_ and share your thoughts on the game with him on X/Twitter and in the YouTube comments section! Leave a LIKE before you go!

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