Melongate comes to fruition

Image courtesy of The Ginger Campbell Experience

Often times in series, there is an unwritten rule for sports writers to manufacture some sort of storyline to hype up a series. In the case of the Los Angeles Angels, it’s the possible return of the four gentlemen pictured above; more commonly known as Melongate.

The Angels are a very quiet team as Drew from Ghostrunner on First points out; pitch well enough to give the team a chance to win, score a few runs, have some aging stars steal some bases, and blow late-inning leads. Typically, the Angels are a team built to grind out wins through the regular season. After 100 wins last year, the Halos are hovering around the .500 mark waiting in the wings for the Texas Rangers to fall from the top of the American League West.

Bobby Abreu, the man who the Angels signed to be their “feared bat” has hit a grand total of one home run in 46 games. At least Abreu and David Ortiz have something in common. For some reason, Abreu has channeled his inner Willy Mays Hayes and swiped 15 bases this season.

The guy in Los Angeles who’s receiving Vernon Wells-type money is Torii Hunter, and right now Hunter is playing like he’s Vernon Wells in a contract year. 13 home runs with 42 RBI’s and a .313 average from Hunter is a slap in the face to the Blue Jays, who are wondering why they inked Wells to 7 years instead of Hunter at 5 years. If only we could turn back time.

While I’m not too busy commentating on the Melonheads, come on over to The Score because I’ll be liveblogging tonight’s Jays/Angels matchup. Roy Halladay goes for win number nine, after two straight no decisions in which he either left with the lead or a tied game. If the bullpen blows it again for Halladay, there just might be a couple of “missing” relievers after tonight’s game.