Michael Lorenzen proved Earl Weaver right.
Weaver, the fiery Hall of Fame manager, famously said, “Momentum? Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher.”
Wednesday night, the Angels teed off on Lorenzen, the Rockies’ struggling right-hander, and cruised to an 11-4 win in Anaheim.
Lorenzen, who departed after 3 1/3 innings, was charged with eight runs on 10 hits, and his ERA soared from 7.22 to 8.01. Momentum killed.
The Rockies, winners of four of five coming into the game, not only got clobbered, but they failed to capture a rare sweep. But they did win their second consecutive series for the first time this season.
Key moments: Los Angeles sent 10 men to the plate in the second inning, scoring six runs on six hits, a walk, and a wild pitch by Lorenzen. After two innings, Lorenzen had already thrown 61 pitches.
The Angels sent Lorenzen packing in the fourth with a two-run homer by Vaughn Grissom.
Who’s hot: Tyler Freeman, who started in right field, went 2 for 4 and hit a two-run homer in the fifth off right-handed starter Walbert Ureña.
Troy Johnston, who started at first base, got the Rockies on the board in the fourth with an RBI single to drive in Hunter Goodman. Johnston also singled home TJ Rumfield in the eighth off right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn. Johnston has been incredibly productive with runners in scoring position, hitting .431 (22 for 51).
Rookie left fielder Sterlin Thompson made a leaping catch against the wall in the fifth to rob Mike Trout of a home run.
Who’s not: Lorenzen, obviously, whose 8.01 ERA is the highest in the majors among starting pitchers with at least 10 starts, and whose .364 batting average against is also the highest. Lorenzen has a 1.99 WHIP.
Third baseman Kyle Karros, who’s been heating up lately, took a step back, hitting 0 for 4 with a strikeout. His average sits at .218.
Worth noting: Included in the Angels’ 16-hit night was a 4-for-5 night by Wade Meckler and a 4-for-5 night by Nick Madrigal.
Pitching probables
Thursday: Off day
Friday: Brewers RHP Brandon Sproat (1-4, 6.24 ERA) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (2-1, 4.85), 6:40 p.m.
Saturday: Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski (6-2, 1.65) at Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (0-1, 6.37), 7:10 p.m.
Sunday: Brewers LHP Shane Drohan (2-1, 2.87) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-6, 8.06), 1:10 p.m.
Monday: Off day
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
