Postponement Means Doubleheader Tuesday For Angels
CHICAGO (AP) — In the middle of a tough stretch of games, Anaheim Angels manager Mike Scioscia did not want to be forced to play a doubleheader.
"At some point you're going to have to play the stretch like we're in now, 20 straight, and you want to play," Scioscia said before the Angels game against the White Sox on Monday night was postponed due to heavy rains and rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader on Tuesday. "A doubleheader does not benefit anyone at any time."
The storm hit U.S. Cellular Field just after scheduled first pitch. The postponement was announced at 7:30 p.m.
The first game Tuesday afternoon will start at 4:10 p.m. CDT with Chicago's Hector Noesi (2-5, 5.07) going against Los Angeles' Garrett Richards (8-2, 2.76), who were slated to start Monday night.
Scott Carroll (2-4, 4.76) will go for the White Sox against the Angels' Jered Weaver (8-6, 3.33) in the second game.
Los Angeles slugger Albert Pujols was in Monday night's starting lineup set to hit third and play first base one day after he pulled up lame with a groin injury during a loss to the Royals. Pujols, who was limited to only 99 games last season, remained in that game.
The postponement also gives White Sox manager Robin Ventura an extra day to sort out his bullpen. Ventura removed Ronald Belisario from the closer role on Friday after the reliever allowed two runs in the ninth inning to Toronto and has failed to find a permanent ninth inning pitcher since Matt Lindstrom's ankle injury in May.
"The way the bullpen is right now, we're going to by usage, matchups and just the feeling of who you want in there at that time," Ventura said on Monday. "You don't know on a daily basis who you're going to use in which spots."
NOTES: White Sox 1B Jose Abreu, tied for the MLB lead in homers with 25, has found himself at the center of Home Run Derby speculation, but the rookie slugger remained mysterious on his possible participation. "I'm more concentrated on helping the team right now," Abreu said. . Angels SP Garrett Richards has allowed 4 ER over his last five starts and carries a 4-0 record in that span. . Tyler Skaggs will start the series finale on Wednesday for Los Angeles. He will face John Danks (7-6, 4.26).
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