September 1, 2016 Page 1 of 25 - MLB.com

September 1, 2016 of 25

Clips

(September 1, 2016)


Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE LA TIMES (Page 3)

Angels star Mike Trout walks away from O.C. car crash uninjured

Angels slugger Albert Pujols is slowed by plantar fasciitis… again

Angels challenge Anaheim on proposed development next to Angel Stadium

First Angel Stadium appearance is bittersweet for Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen

FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 8)

CHP: Angel Mike Trout swerves to avoid vehicle, but hits it on 55 freeway; he was not

injured, but another driver was

Ricky Nolasco’s first shutout since 2012 helps surging Angels sweep Reds, 3-0

Angels trade Fernando Salas to Mets, must find fifth player to occupy closer’s role

Angels Notes: Kole Calhoun focused on creating ‘winning atmosphere’

A.J. Achter’s unusual season likely includes one more promotion to Angels

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 14)

Angels sweep Reds behind Nolasco’s CG

Angels trade Salas to Mets for Minor Leaguer

Trout ‘feels fine’ after car accident on freeway

Nolasco records elusive 1st win as Angel with CG

Ward headlines Angels prospects headed to AFL

Pujols dealing with plantar fasciitis in right foot

Oberholtzer aims to stay unbeaten vs. Mariners

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 21)

Ricky Nolasco throws 4-hit gem as Angels sweep Reds 3-0

FROM ESPN (Page 23)

Trout ‘feels fine’ after serious highway crash

Closer report: Trade leaves Angels pen in flux


FROM THE LA TIMES

Angels star Mike Trout walks away from O.C. car crash uninjured

Matt Hamilton and Pedro Moura

Angels outfielder Mike Trout was involved in a traffic collision Wednesday evening in Orange County but was not injured, according to his agent.

The crash involved three vehicles and occurred about 9 p.m. along the southbound 55 Freeway near McFadden Avenue in Tustin, according to the California Highway Patrol.

One person suffered injuries in the crash and was taken to the hospital. The person’s condition was not known, according to a CHP dispatcher.

Craig Landis, Trout’s agent, confirmed to The Times that he was not injured in the crash. The general manager of the Angels, Billy Eppler, said he spoke with Trout via telephone and that he would join the team in Seattle for the Friday game against the Mariners.

“He feels fine,” Eppler said in a statement. “He is at home with his roommate and is planning on traveling with the club to Seattle.”

Video obtained by KCBS-TV showed firefighters rescuing a woman who was trapped in a vehicle.

Trout was seen speaking with CHP officers at the scene of the crash and walking by his black Mercedes. The CHP’s incident log of the crash indicated that officers requested a tow truck for a black Mercedes.

At the time, the southbound 55 Freeway had been congested from a collision that occurred earlier in the evening, according to Capt. Larry Kurtz, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority.

Trout had swerved left to avoid stopped traffic when the right front of his Mercedes collided with the left rear of a Chevrolet, according to a CHP collision report.

The impact pushed the Chevrolet forward and spun it until the left side of the car collided with the rear of a GMC. The Chevrolet also hit a fence.

The Angels played Wednesday in Anaheim, and beat the Cincinnati Reds 3 to 0.


Angels slugger Albert Pujols is slowed by plantar fasciitis… again

Mike DiGiovanna

A combined 51 homers and 187 runs batted in were on the Angels bench for Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Neither Mike Trout nor Albert Pujols were in the lineup as Angels right-hander Ricky Nolasco, taking full advantage of the shadows of a late afternoon start, pitched a four-hit shutout.

Whereas Trout’s day of rest was more maintenance, a day the star center fielder could combine with Thursday’s off day to “refresh,” as Manager Mike Scioscia said, Pujols is dealing with a more serious issue: plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Pujols, 36, played the first four months of the 2013 season with the same condition in his left foot before the fascia ligament finally snapped in late July, ending his season but essentially replicating the surgical procedure he would have had after the season if the ligament held up through September.

Pujols recovered to hit .272 with 28 homers and 105 RBIs in 2014 and .244 with 40 homers and 95 RBIs in 2015.

The designated hitter underwent surgery to repair the plantar plate in his right foot last November but this season is batting .263 with 26 homers and 103 RBIs, second-most in the American League.

The plantar fasciitis flared up “a couple weeks ago,” Scioscia said, adding that the condition is not as severe as the one that hobbled Pujols in 2013. Scioscia expects Pujols, who has four three-hit games in eight days, to play Friday at Seattle.

“Albert is one of the toughest people I’ve ever seen put a uniform on, and he’s going to play if he’s able to go out there,” Scioscia said. “He’s been managing it and playing very well, obviously.”

The Angels managed just fine without Trout or Pujols on Wednesday. C.J. Cron drove in runs with two-out singles in the sixth and eighth innings, and Jefry Marte added an RBI double in the sixth to back Nolasco, who struck out seven and walked none for the fifth shutout of his career and first since Sept. 9, 2012.

Nolasco’s first win as an Angel — he lost his first four decisions after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins on Aug. 1 — gave the Angels seven wins in eight games. Of Nolasco’s 94 pitches in the crisp 2-hour, 10-minute game, 67 were strikes.

His only trouble came in the sixth, when Ramon Cabrera led off with a double and took third on Billy Hamilton’s sacrifice bunt. Nolasco got Zack Cozart to ground out to third, Cabrera holding, and the dangerous Joey Votto to line out to second.


“I was trying to be aggressive and throw strikes,” Nolasco said. “The slider was good — I got a lot of swings and misses with it. I located the sinker all day and got lot of ground balls with it. I mixed in some split-fingered fastballs and curves.”

Salas trade

With less than two hours to go before Wednesday night’s waiver trade deadline, the Angels dealt reliever Fernando Salas to theNew York Mets for minor league right-hander Erik Manoah, who was assigned to Class-A Burlington.

Salas has been a middle-relief mainstay for three seasons but took over for injured closer Cam Bedrosian in early August and converted all four of his save opportunities.

The hard-throwing right-hander is 3-6 with a 4.47 earned-run average in 58 games, with 45 strikeouts and 19 walks in 56 1/3 innings, but he has a 2.93 ERA in 17 games since the All-Star break. The Mets are 1 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the National League’s second wild-card spot.

Manoah, 20, was a 13th-round pick of the Mets in 2014. With a low-90s fastball, curve and changeup, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound right-hander was 5-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 13 games for Class-A Brooklyn of the New York-Penn League.

Homecoming game

His first appearance in Angel Stadium on Tuesday night was “a dream come true” for Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen, a former Fullerton High and Cal State Fullerton pitcher who grew up an Angels fan.

His only regret was that his father was not there to witness it. Clif Lorenzen, 61, died Aug. 17 of liver and kidney failure.

“It was bittersweet, absolutely,” said Lorenzen, who gave up a run and three hits in two innings. “He would have loved it.”

Just two days after his father’s death, Lorenzen hit an emotional home run against the Dodgers, breaking down in tears as he hugged teammates. Lorenzen, 24, has been touched by the support he has received since the homer.

“So many people have encouraged me, saying they’re going through the same stuff, and it’s helped,” Lorenzen said. “That’s why I was so happy, not only for myself but because I know I’m not the only person in this world whose father passed away.”


Angels challenge Anaheim on proposed development next to Angel Stadium

Bill Shaikin

The Angels demanded Wednesday that the city of Anaheim order additional study of a large-scale development planned for a site adjacent to Angel Stadium.

The demand, contained in the second hostile letter from Angels lawyers to the city within two weeks, comes as the team and city have revived talks on a lease that would extend the Angels’ tenure at the city-owned stadium.

Last week, the Anaheim Planning Commission, over the Angels’ objections, unanimously endorsed a 15-acre complex of shops, restaurants, offices, residences and a hotel on the site next to Angel Stadium.

The Anaheim City Council has final say on the project and could vote to approve it as soon as Sept. 27. In the letter, Angels attorney George Mihlsten said the planning commission approved the project with “very limited environmental review and no opportunity for public review,” and he asked the council to order a new environmental impact report.

Angels spokeswoman Marie Garvey declined to rule out the possibility that the team would sue Anaheim if the City Council does not do so.

“We are not limiting any of our options but hope the City Council will require an EIR,” Garvey said.

A new environmental impact report could require months or years to complete, and could significantly add to the costs for a developer that has promised the city at least $5 million per year in tax revenue from the project.

City officials do not believe a new environmental assessment is necessary because the effects of larger projects — ones that did not come to fruition — in the so-called Platinum Triangle area have already been evaluated.

“From an environmental perspective, the Platinum Triangle has been thoroughly studied for a level of development well beyond what is being proposed with this project,” city spokesman Mike Lyster said in a statement.

“That said, we want to hear any concerns that the Angels have.”

The city has ruled out paying for stadium upgrades. The lease negotiations have focused on the team developing part of the parking lot, then using profits from that development to recoup the costs of stadium renovations.


The Angels argued that an entertainment district next to the stadium — along the lines of L.A. Live, across the street from Staples Center — would make it less likely that a second such project could be profitable enough for the team to fund stadium renovations. The Planning Commission rejected that argument and recommended approval by the City Council.

“This is about an individual project, distinct from discussions about the future of baseball in Anaheim,” Lyster said. “For 50 years, we have had a great relationship with the Angels. As with any long-term relationship, issues will come up from time to time.”

First Angel Stadium appearance is bittersweet for Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen

Mike DiGiovanna

His first-ever appearance in Angel Stadium on Tuesday night was “a dream come true” for Cincinnati Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen, who played Little League ball at Boysen Park in Anaheim and was a huge Angels fan while pitching at Fullerton High and Cal State Fullerton.

“I had lot of family here, a lot of people came in from out of town, and there were a lot of people from Cal State Fullerton who have followed me,” Lorenzen, 24, said before Wednesday’s game. “It’s been an awesome experience to kind of soak it all in.”

Lorenzen’s only regret was that his father was not there to witness it. Clif Lorenzen, 61, died on Aug. 17 because of liver and kidney failure.

“It was bittersweet, absolutely,” said Lorenzen, who gave up a run and three hits and struck out two batters in two innings of the Reds’ 4-2 loss to the Angels. “He would have loved it.”

Just two days after his father’s death, on Aug. 19, Lorenzen hit an emotional home run against the Dodgers in Cincinnati, breaking down in tears as he hugged teammates in the dugout. Lorenzen has been touched by the outpouring of support he has received in the wake of his first career homer.

“So many people have encouraged me, saying they’re going through the same stuff, and it’s helped me out,” Lorenzen said. “That’s what I was so happy for, not only for myself, but because I know I’m not the only person in this world whose father passed away.

“To have something like that happen, and for other people to find refuge in it … I’m able to say that it was all orchestrated by God. His timing is perfect. He brought comfort to a lot of people.”


FROM OC REGISTER

CHP: Angel Mike Trout swerves to avoid vehicle, but hits it on 55 freeway; he was not injured, but another driver was

By SCOTT SCHWEBKE and JOSHUA SUDOCK / STAFF WRITER

SANTA ANA – Angel outfielder Mike Trout swerved, but still hit another vehicle that had slowed to a stop on the southbound 55 freeway Wednesday night, and that Chevrolet was pushed into another car, says a California Highway Patrol report released Thursday.

Trout’s Mercedes Benz struck the left, rear side of the Chevrolet Sonic on the freeway near Mcfadden Avenue, the report says.

“The impact pushed the Chevrolet forward and spun it in a clockwise rotation until the left side of the Chevrolet collided into the rear of the GMC,” the report says.

The Chevrolet then struck a fence.

Trout, the report says, ran to check on the welfare of the Chevy’s driver, a 27-year-old woman who was taken to a hospital with injuries.

All three parties cooperated with investigators, the report says. Authorities said this morning they do not believe drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash. No driver was cited.

The Orange County Fire Authority responded at 8:50 p.m., Capt. Larry Kurtz said. Emergency personnel had to cut one person from a vehicle using the Jaws of Life.

Trout’s agent, Craig Landis, and Angel General Manager Billy Eppler said Wednesday night Trout was OK. A photographer at the scene captured images of Trout outside of a vehicle, seemingly unhurt.

“I have spoken with Mike this evening and he feels fine,” Eppler said late Wednesday in a statement. “He is at home with his roommate and is planning on traveling with the club to Seattle tomorrow afternoon. We will update as more information becomes available.”

Photos from the scene showed a white Chevy Sonic and a black Mercedes sedan with damage.


Ricky Nolasco’s first shutout since 2012 helps surging Angels sweep Reds, 3-0

By ROBERT MORALES / STAFF WRITER

ANAHEIM – Shadows can be a pitcher’s best friend. But the way right-hander Ricky Nolasco threw the ball for the Angels on Wednesday, it might be unfair to say they were a significant help to him.

Nolasco pitched a complete game and gave up only four hits while striking out seven to lead the Angels to a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds before 34,215 at Angel Stadium. It was the Angels’ fifth consecutive victory and seventh in their past eight games to climb out of last place in the AL West.

Nolasco did not walk a batter and threw just 94 pitches in a brisk game that started at 4:05 p.m. and was over by 6:15. It was the fifth shutout of Nolasco’s career and his first since he shut out the Washington Nationals on Sept. 9, 2012, while with the Miami Marlins.

Nolasco came to the Angels (59-74) from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline. He was 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA in five previous starts with the Angels, but he’s 5-12 overall after winning at home for the first time in 16 consecutive starts with the Twins and Angels.

“Obviously, I would have liked to win earlier, but I like where I’m at, as far as where I’m throwing the ball,” Nolasco said. “I feel good. I’m eating up innings, and I’m just trying to give my team a chance to win games.”

Nolasco mixed his pitches well, keeping the hapless Reds (55-77) off-balance. He retired 12 straight to end it and his 94 pitches were the fewest for any major league shutout this season, one fewer than teammate Jered Weaver’s 95 on Father’s Day against Oakland.

“I was just trying to be aggressive, throw strikes,” he said. “And the slider was good today, got a lot of swings and misses on that. And just kind of locating the sinker all day, trying to get ground balls. Mixed in some splitties and some curveballs there.”

Nolasco was asked if he tried to take advantage of the hovering late-afternoon shadows.

“I’m just trying to do what I’m doing,” he said. “Obviously, I’m not hitting, so I’m not sure how bad it is. But obviously, the shadows did ... some of our guys, too, were coming in saying stuff like that. So you just try to keep throwing strikes and be aggressive. It’s definitely nice, a good feeling being out there and trying to get the last out.”

Left-hander Brandon Finnegan (8-10) struck out nine during seven strong innings of five-hit ball for the Reds, who have lost four straight and eight of 10. He didn’t have to face Mike Trout or Albert Pujols, both of whom had the day off.


Reds manager Bryan Price talked about those darn shadows. But he did not take much away from Nolasco.

“Certainly (the shadows) helped both (pitchers),” Price said. “It doesn’t mean that Nolasco wouldn’t have thrown a complete-game shutout or Finnegan wouldn’t have limited them to two runs in seven innings.

“It’s harder to recognize the spin. I know our guys were having a hard time seeing spin, chasing a lot of breaking balls below the zone. And we had that same advantage. They were just able to grind out some runs. That was the difference.”

With the respective offenses held in check through five innings, the Angels got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth on a double by Andrelton Simmons, an RBI single by C.J. Cron and a run-scoring double from Jefry Marte, who was thrown out at third trying to stretch his hit into a triple.

Cron added another RBI single in the eighth for some insurance and now has 60 RBI despite missing six weeks with a broken hand. The shadows, he said, were an issue.

“I mean, it was tough to see, there is no way around that,” Cron said of his first RBI single. “But I was just trying to get something to hit early on because I knew the longer the count went, the tougher it would be to pick up the different pitches. So I got a first-pitch heater and, I mean, I broke my bat but it found grass. That’s all that matters.”

Manager Mike Scioscia said Cron’s poise is one reason why he is able to come through in the clutch. Cron is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position.

“This guy’s confident,” Scioscia said. “Maybe he doesn’t exude it like some other players, but when he’s in the batters’ box, he thinks he’s the best hitter in the world and we need that.”

Angels trade Fernando Salas to Mets, must find fifth player to occupy closer’s role

By STAFF REPORTS

ANAHEIM – The Angels sent relief pitcher Fernando Salas to the New York Mets in exchange for minor league pitcher Erik Manoah on Wednesday, about 90 minutes before the deadline for players to be eligible to be on a team’s postseason roster.

Salas, 31, is 3-6 with six saves and a 4.47 ERA in 58 games for the Angels. He has 45 strikeouts and 19 walks in 56-1/3 innings, all out of the bullpen. Salas has four saves and a 2.93 ERA in 15-1/3 innings (17 games) since the All-Star break. The right-hander can become a free agent after the season.


The Angels now must find a fifth candidate to occupy their closer’s role. JC Ramirez or Deolis Guerra are the most likely options to move into a role that has been manned by Huston Street, Joe Smith, Cam Bedrosian and Salas. Street and Bedrosian are on the DL and Smith was traded to the Cubs in July.

Manoah, 20, was selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2014 draft. This season, with low Class-A Brooklyn, the right-hander was 5-5 with a 5.37 ERA, 63 strikeouts and 27 walks in 62 innings (12 starts, one relief appearance).

Angels Notes: Kole Calhoun focused on creating ‘winning atmosphere’

By ROBERT MORALES / STAFF WRITER

ANAHEIM – No baseball player likes to lose. Angels right-fielder Kole Calhoun, who is about as fiery as they come, is aching over the season his team has had.

That doesn’t mean his world has come to an end. It means he wants to do all he can to turn things around for 2017.

“There’s a lot of stuff we could do,” Calhoun said Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds at Angel Stadium. “We’re about to have September call-ups come up here. And, you know, we’ve gotta establish a winning atmosphere around here, so that starts every day.

“You’ve gotta come out here and still try to win and try and get a little bit of momentum going into the offseason. And then when we get to spring training next year, we pick up right where we left off and we go out and we try to win baseball games.”

The Angels were 58-74 going into Wednesday’s game and will miss the postseason again. Calhoun wore that failure on his face.

“Obviously, it didn’t go how we wanted it to go this year,” he said. “Injuries definitely hurt, but we could still get that mind-set that losing is not taken lightly and this is a winning organization.”

The Angels had won four in a row and six of seven going into Wednesday’s series finale. That’s a good start, Calhoun said.

“Exactly, yeah,” he said. “We’ve already won three series in a row and we’ve got an opportunity to sweep a team today, so that’s what we want. We want to go out and play good baseball and put a good product on the field and that’s what we’re doing lately.

“There’s a lot of young guys in here, guys getting opportunities, getting extended looks. And they need to know that’s what’s expected of them.”


TROUT, PUJOLS SIT

Center fielder Mike Trout and first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols were not inWednesday’s starting lineup.

“We’re trying to get these guys just a little bit of refresh time here and combine it with an off-day (Thursday),” Manager Mike Scioscia said.

However, Scioscia did say Pujols is nursing “a little plantar fasciitis” in his right foot. Pujols dealt with that in his left foot in 2013.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Rosters were announced Wednesday for the upcoming Arizona Fall League and the Angels will have seven minor-league players toiling for the Scottsdale Scorpions, who will also have players from the Giants, Mets, Phillies and Yankees.

Players from the Angels organization will include pitchers Victor Alcantara (Double-A Arkansas), Adam Hofacket (Class-A Inland Empire) and Eduardo Paredes (Arkansas); catcher Taylor Ward (Inland Empire); infielder David Fletcher (Inland Empire); and outfielder Michael Hermosillo (Inland Empire).

SCIOSCIA LIKES TEBOW MOVE

Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow worked out for major-league scouts Tuesday at USC and Scioscia liked it.

“There is no doubting his athleticism,” Scioscia said. “And I think you’re always intrigued by guys that come from other sports to play whatever game it is. Baseball’s a very skill-specific sport and and I know that Tim Tebow has been working out hard, trying to get his skill -set where it is.

“We had a guy at his workout; we haven’t gotten any report yet. But you get one goal in this life and I definitely give him credit for wanting to pursue something he thinks he should do. That’s what everybody should do.”

A.J. Achter’s unusual season likely includes one more promotion to Angels

By BUBBA BROWN / CONTRIBUTING WRITER

SALT LAKE CITY – A.J. Achter has pitched in just 15 games for the Angels this season, but he can stake a claim to the team lead in one statistic.


The right-handed reliever has been a part of a staggering 16 roster transactions in what has become one of the more unusual seasons in recent memory. After beginning the season with the Salt Lake Bees, he’s been promoted to Anaheim then optioned back to Salt Lake six times and designated for assignment twice, both times followed by outright assignments to Triple-A.

And all of that came after Achter changed teams twice in the offseason, when Philadelphia claimed him off waivers in November, then Anaheim did the same thing a month later.

As of Wednesday, Achter was back in Salt Lake. But so much turbulence over the last 10 months has taken its toll. It was the end of July before he’d had eight consecutive outings at one level this year – and he’s been up and down twice since then – which made it difficult to find a rhythm, a key for any baseball player.

“It’s not easy,” he said earlier in August. “But you just have to take it in stride. It’s part of the game, part of the business. It’s been something like I’ve never experienced, but thankfully I’m comfortable in this organization. That little sense of normalcy has helped me get through it.”

Each time the Angels designated him for assignment, Achter had the option of becoming a free agent, at which point he could have tried to catch on with an organization offering a more consistent role. But each time, remaining with the Angels seemed like the best fit. Even now, he is hopeful he can stay with them for the long term, though his future with the club beyond this season is uncertain.

“They treat people the right way here,” he said. “The front office is very upfront and honest with you. Every time I’ve got called up or sent down, they’ve been very honest with me. They’ve stood by their word, which is tough to do in this business because a lot of things change really quick.”

On the field, he’s done everything he could to ensure the Angels will want to keep him around.

He compiled a 3.55 ERA in 15 major league games this year and a 3.63 mark in 44-2/3 innings with the Bees while pitching in the notoriously hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. With the Angels, he’s been a solid option as one of the last guys in the bullpen. In Salt Lake, he’s been perhaps the team’s most reliable reliever.

Altogether, the results suggest Achter could very well factor into the Angels’ future plans.

“I feel like I’ve pitched well, even with everything that’s happened,” he said.

Despite the hectic nature of his season, Achter acknowledged the Angels have given him the chance to do something many of his teammates in Salt Lake haven’t: spend a sizeable chunk of his season in the majors. And from that perspective, he feels fortunate.


“It’s the push for the dream to play in the big leagues,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing that drives me, that keeps me going.”

ALSO

Tim Lincecum was scratched from his start Tuesday. The Salt Lake Bees said on Twitter that he was under the weather. It was unclear when he will be back on the mound. … Andrew Bailey’s first month in the Angels organization continues to go well. The former American League Rookie of the Year has pitched nine innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out 11 and walking three.

FROM ANGELS.COM

Angels sweep Reds behind Nolasco’s CG

By Austin Laymance and Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- The Angels didn't need Mike Trout and Albert Pujols to complete a three-game sweep of the Reds on Wednesday.

Ricky Nolasco fired a shutout, C.J. Cron collected two hits and two RBIs and Jefry Marte drove in a run for a 3-0 victory at Angel Stadium, extending the Angels' win streak to five games. It marks the club's longest streak since starting the second half 6-0 with sweeps of the White Sox and Rangers.

"It's definitely nice and a good feeling to be out there trying to get the last out," said Nolasco, who recorded 12 straight outs to end the game and cap his first complete-game shutout in nearly four years. "I was just trying to be efficient and fill up the strike zone, not walk anybody. We made some good plays behind me and scored some runs when we needed to, and that was good."

Brandon Finnegan produced a quality start for the Reds, who have now lost four in a row and eight of their last 10 games, but he was outdueled by Nolasco. Finnegan struck out nine and walked none in seven innings, allowing two runs in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference.

The Angels rested Trout, a candidate for American League MVP, and Pujols, the Majors' active home run leader, as the team played its 22nd game in the last 23 days. It was the first time since Sept. 14, 2014, that Trout and Pujols were both held out of the lineup.

Nolasco scattered four hits, struck out seven and walked none. He retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced.


During their 1-5 road trip, the one Reds win was a 13-0 victory over Arizona on Saturday. In their five losses, they scored a combined nine runs. It was the eighth time Cincinnati has been swept in a series this season, but the first since July 8-10 at Miami. The poor ending to the month left the Reds with a 13-15 record in August.

"It's certainly a step back from where we've been," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "It's the ebb and flow of the season. We had a few tough starts, short starts, got into the bullpen early and weren't able to get back into those games. That hasn't really been the recipe to our success in July and the better part of August."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED In the win column: Nolasco earned his first win in five starts with the Angels since coming over in a non-waiver Trade Deadline deal with the Twins. It was his first shutout since Sept. 9, 2012, with the Marlins and the fifth of his career.

"He has that in him, and that's encouraging," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Tough luck in the loss column: It was another nice start for Finnegan, who is winless in back-to-back games. Over his last three starts, totaling 20 innings, the left-hander has 29 strikeouts and opponents are batting .132 (9-for-68).

"I've had some good starts here lately," Finnegan said. "When you don't have the giddyup on the fastball that you usually do, the changeup plays well. It's been helping me out a lot the last few starts. I'm just hoping I can continue to do it."

Back-to-back .400 missed: Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 1-for-4 with a first-inning single, but he came up empty in his last three at-bats. Votto finished his August with a .394 batting average after he hit .419 in July. He was aiming to become the first Major Leaguer since Josh Hamilton in 2010 to bat .400 in consecutive months. The only Reds player to hit .400 in any two months of a season was Vada Pinson in 1961.

Red-hot Halos: Cron and Marte combined to drive in the only runs of the game. Cron has 10 RBIs over his last eight games, including six in the series against the Reds. Marte has driven in six runs in his last four games.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Nolasco picked off Votto at first base after he singled in the first inning, moving Nolasco into a five-way tie for first in the AL with four pickoffs this year. The Angels lead the Majors with 21 pickoffs as a staff.

WHAT'S NEXT Reds: Following an off-day on Thursday, the Reds return to Great American Ball Park at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday for a three-game series against the Cardinals.Anthony DeSclafani, who is


coming off of the first complete-game shutout of his career -- a four-hitter with nine strikeouts -- will pitch in the opener.

Angels: Los Angeles returns to action on Friday with the opener of a three-game series against the Mariners at Safeco Field. Brett Oberholtzer will make his second start for the Halos. The left-hander is 4-0 with 0.75 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against the Mariners. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT.

Angels trade Salas to Mets for Minor Leaguer

By Austin Laymance / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- The Angels traded right-handed reliever Fernando Salas to the Mets in exchange for Minor League pitcher Erik Manoah on Wednesday, the club announced.

Manoah will be assigned to Class A Burlington. The right-hander went 5-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) in 2016 for the short-season Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League.

The 20-year-old was selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2014 Draft out of South Dade High School in Homestead, Fla. In his Minor League career, he's 9-10 with a 5.13 ERA in 35 games (25 starts).

Salas had become the de facto closer for the Angels in the wake of injuries to Huston Street and Cam Bedrosian. Salas posted a 3-6 record with a 4.47 ERA and six saves in 58 appearances this season. He had been with the Angels since 2014, when he was acquired along with David Freese in an offseason deal with the Cardinals that sent outfielders Peter Bourjos and Randal Grichuk to St. Louis.

The Angels will need to make a roster move before Friday's game against the Mariners. With rosters expanding on Thursday, the Angels were already planning on adding reinforcements from the Minors as early as the series opener in Seattle.

Trout ‘feels fine’ after car accident on freeway

By Chad Thornburg / MLB.com

Angels star Mike Trout was uninjured in a traffic accident on the 55 Freeway in Tustin, Calif., on Wednesday night.

A major accident requiring a firefighter rescue for a woman trapped in her car occurred around 9 p.m. PT on the freeway, according to CBSLA.com. Trout's vehicle and two other cars collided while trying to avoid the initial crash, the California Highway Patrol told the website, which reported that Trout was not charged in the crash.


"Mike Trout was involved in a car accident earlier tonight," general manager Billy Eppler said in a statement released by the Angels. "I have spoken with Mike this evening and he feels fine. He is at home with his roommate and is planning on traveling with the club to Seattle tomorrow afternoon. We will update as more information becomes available."

Trout was given the day off Wednesday in the Angels' 3-0 victory over the Reds in Anaheim. The club opens a three-game series in Seattle on Friday after an off-day on Thursday.

Nolasco records elusive 1st win as Angel with CG


ANAHEIM -- The Angels have benefited from improved pitching over their last 10 games, and Ricky Nolasco took things one step further with a complete game against the Reds to complete a sweep on Wednesday.

Nolasco was on his game from start to finish, as he scattered four hits, struck out seven and walked none for his first shutout in nearly four years in a 3-0 win over Cincinnati at Angel Stadium. The Angels have won five straight and eight of their last 10.

"It's definitely nice and a good feeling to be out there trying to get the last out," said Nolasco, who recorded 12 straight outs to end the game and finished with 94 pitches. "I was just trying to be efficient and fill up the strike zone, not walk anybody."

C.J. Cron drove in a pair and Jefry Marte added an RBI to back Nolasco, who won for the first time in six starts with the Angels. Nolasco also benefited from solid infield defense.

"We made some good plays behind me and scored some runs when we needed to and that was good," said Nolasco, who last pitched a shutout on Sept. 9, 2012, with the Marlins.

Nolasco said he wasn't discouraged by his first five starts with the Angels, during which he went 0-4 with a 5.70 ERA. He was acquired from the Twins along with pitching prospect Alex Meyer in a non-waiver Trade Deadline deal that sent Hector Santiago and Minor League pitcher Alan Busenitz to Minnesota.

"Obviously, I would have liked to win earlier, but I like where I'm at as far as throwing the ball and making good pitches," Nolasco said. "I feel good, eating up innings and I think anytime you're doing that, you're giving your team a chance to win games."

Nolasco retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced. He pounded the strike zone, featured a nasty slider and used all of his pitches to keep the Reds guessing.

"He has that in him, and that's encouraging," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.


Nolasco cruised for much of the afternoon, his only trouble coming in the sixth inning. After a leadoff double and a sacrifice put a runner on third with one out, Nolasco induced a ground ball to third as Marte fielded a tough hop and fired to first for the second out. Joey Votto followed with a rocket that was snagged by second baseman Kaleb Cowart.

"Outside of that, had a lot of soft contact, pitched to his spots, and that's obviously a terrific ballgame," Scioscia said.

The Angels have 10 shutouts on the season, tied with the Indians for the most in the Majors. The Halos have six shutouts in the second half, one more than the Reds for the most in the big leagues.

"Good starting pitching and winning is always contagious," Nolasco said. "I've learned that through my career. It's not something that we talk about, but it's something that just happens. It's just contagious like that. Just to be able to keep that ball rolling is good, and hopefully we can keep it going Friday in Seattle."

Ward headlines Angels prospects headed to AFL


ANAHEIM -- The Angels will send three of their Top 30 prospects to play in the Arizona Fall League, headlined by catcher Taylor Ward, their No. 3 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com. The other top prospects are right-hander Victor Alcantara (No. 8) and infielder David Fletcher (No. 9).

The rest of the Angels' contingent with the Scottsdale Scorpions includes right-handers Adam Hofacket and Eduardo Paredes and outfielder Michael Hermosillo. Michael Wuertz, the pitching coach for Class A Advanced Inland Empire, will serve the same role for the Scorpions, who will also feature prospects from the Giants, Mets, Phillies and Yankees organizations.

The Angels have an additional roster spot, which could be filled by Garrett Richards, who is rehabbing a right elbow UCL injury and trying to avoid Tommy John surgery. Richards has yet to progress to throwing off a mound, but he has reported no issues playing catch from 90 feet. Richards would need to get approval to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, because it does not normally allow players with as much Major League service time as Richards to play.

The AFL begins on Oct. 11 and runs through the championship game on Nov. 19.

Alcantara, Fletcher and Paredes currently play for Double-A Arkansas. Ward, Hofacket and Hermosillo are with Inland Empire.


The Angels selected Ward with the 26th pick in the 2015 Draft out of Fresno State. In that same Draft, the Halos took Fletcher in the sixth round (No. 195 overall) out of nearby Loyola Marymount University. Alcantara was signed as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic in '11.

Pujols dealing with plantar fasciitis in right foot

Not considered serious, slugger gets Wednesday’s finale off


ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols has been playing through plantar fasciitis in his right foot for a couple of weeks, but there are no plans to shut down the slugger, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Pujols has battled with plantar fasciitis in his left foot for much of his career, but now he's dealing with the same issue in his right foot.

"Probably this particular thing has been hurting him on and off for the last couple weeks," Scioscia said. "He's been managing it and playing very well."

Over the past two weeks, Pujols has slashed .388/.380/.673 with four home runs, two doubles and 10 RBIs.

Pujols and Mike Trout were not in the lineup for Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Reds, marking the first time since Sept. 18, 2014, that both Trout and Pujols were not in the Angels' order. Scioscia expects both players back in the lineup on Friday in Seattle, following an off-day on Thursday.

"Albert is obviously dealing with some things," Scioscia said. "We're trying to get these guys some refresh time here and combine it with a day off tomorrow."

Pujols has never gone on the disabled list for plantar fasciitis, which manifests when the ligament that supports the arch of the foot is strained, causing pain to walk or stand. The condition never really goes away, and most people never require a surgical procedure to cut the ligament, per WebMD.

Pujols, 36, has started 100 games as a designated hitter and 28 games at first base this season, as he and the Angels try to manage the toll on his lower body. Pujols leads the Angels with 26 homers and entered Wednesday second in the American League with 103 RBIs.

Worth Noting • Cory Rasmus, on the 15-day DL with a right groin strain, is throwing off a mound in Arizona


and will progress to simulated games next week, Scioscia said. Rasmus has been sidelined since June 13.

• Outfielder Shane Robinson, on the 15-day DL with a right hip flexor strain, has progressed to taking batting practice on the field and running the bases. He has been on the DL since Aug. 13.

Oberholtzer aims to stay unbeaten vs. Mariners

By Greg Johns / MLB.com

Angels lefty Brett Oberholtzer, who has given the Mariners trouble in the past, will take another shot at Seattle in Friday's opening game of a three-game series at Safeco Field.

The Angels claimed Oberholtzer off waivers from the Phillies three weeks ago to bolster their injury-plagued pitching staff, and the 27-year-old will be making his second start for the Halos against a familiar foe.

The former Astros southpaw is 4-0 with a 0.75 ERA in four career outings -- including three starts -- against the Mariners. He threw eight innings while allowing just three hits in a 10-0 victory for Houston last season, and he pitched a scoreless inning of relief to pick up the win two weeks ago during a game in which the Angels scored twice in the eighth to pull out a 7-6 victory in Anaheim.

Oberholtzer is 1-0 with a 7.00 ERA in four outings for the Angels, with his ERA skewed by an initial 1 2/3-inning relief outing in which he allowed six hits and six runs against the Indians. Since then he's thrown 7 1/3 innings with six hits and one run.

The Mariners will counter with Ariel Miranda, a 27-year-old left-hander who will be making his fifth start since being acquired from the Orioles for Wade Miley on July 31. Miranda is 1-1 with a 4.98 ERA for Seattle. He gave up three hits and three runs in a five-inning no-decision vs. the Angels two weeks ago in the game Oberholtzer wound up winning in relief, and is coming off a four-inning loss to the White Sox.

The Mariners are heading into September looking to turn things around and pull themselves back into the playoff race, as 17 of their remaining 29 games are at Safeco Field, where they've gone 36-23 since opening the season with five straight losses. They are coming off a 1-6 road trip, having lost five straight, and reside 4 back in the Wild Card race.

Things to know about this game

• Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz is expected back in the lineup after missing two games with a nerve issue in his left hand. Cruz has hit .280 with 32 homers and 79 RBIs and is a key right-handed element in a Seattle lineup that has gone 20-29 against left-handed starters.


• Seattle expects to add four or five September callups for Friday's game, including several relievers to help bolster its bullpen.

• The Mariners split a four-game series in Anaheim two weeks ago and hold a 7-6 series advantage. The two AL West rivals have six games remaining, with three this weekend in Seattle and three more at Angel Stadium on Sept. 12-14.

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ricky Nolasco throws 4-hit gem as Angels sweep Reds 3-0

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Although the shutout pleased Ricky Nolasco, he would have preferred to pitch this superbly a whole lot earlier in the season.

The rest of his fellow Los Angeles Angels realize they also waited far too long to get rolling this year.

Even if this season is lost, the right-hander and his new team both enjoyed a victory requiring no help from Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.

Nolasco pitched a four-hitter for his fifth career shutout and his first victory for Los Angeles, leading the Angels to an interleague sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 3-0 victory Wednesday night.

C.J. Cron drove in two runs for the Angels (59-74), who have won five straight and eight of 10 to climb out of last place in the AL West.

Nolasco (5-12) had gone winless with a 5.70 ERA in his first five starts for the Angels, who acquired the native of nearby Corona, California, from Minnesota at the trade deadline. He finally came up with a gem against the Reds, and he even won at home for the first time in 16 consecutive starts with the Twins and Angels.

"Obviously, I would have liked to win earlier, but I like where I'm at, as far as where I'm throwing the ball," Nolasco said. "I feel good. I'm eating up innings, and I'm just trying to give my team a chance to win games."

With his slider moving splendidly, Nolasco retired 12 straight Reds to end it. The shutout was his first since Sept. 9, 2012, and his 11th career complete game was his first since May 2, 2014.

"I know it's been a while, but I'll enjoy it for the rest of the night with the family," Nolasco said. "It's definitely nice, a good feeling being out there and trying to get the last out."


Los Angeles even won without Pujols and Trout, who didn't play in an early starting game before the Angels' day off. Trout and Pujols didn't start in the same game for the first time since Sept. 18, 2014.

Brandon Finnegan (8-10) struck out nine during seven strong innings of five-hit ball for the Reds, who have lost four straight and eight of 10.

"(Finnegan is) a kid who has evolved into a three-pitch pitcher with command who is pitching to both sides of the plate," Cincinnati manager Bryan Price said. "(He) has kind of found a devastating changeup (and) the ability to throw a slider for a quality strike when he's behind in the count and locate his fastball. ... His development has been exceptional. Really a highlight of the season."

Finnegan had only one poor inning during the former Royals reliever's latest strong start for the last-place Reds.

He had retired nine straight before the sixth, when Andrelton Simmons popped a double and scored on Cron's two-out single to center. Jefry Marte then drove in Cron from first with a double to the right-field corner.

Nolasco faced more trouble than Finnegan, but still escaped jams caused by errors by Marte and Kaleb Cowart. Ramon Cabrera got to third with one out in the sixth for Cincinnati, but Nolasco coolly retired Zack Cozart and Joey Votto.

"He has pitched some good games for us, better than his linescores have shown," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

THROWING BLANKS

Despite their dismal overall record, the Angels matched Cleveland for the major league lead with their 10th shutout of the season. They have six shutouts since the All-Star break, tying Cincinnati for the big-league lead.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Reds: Dan Straily and Tim Adleman will move up one day in Cincinnati's rotation this weekend to give extra rest to Homer Bailey, who has a sore muscle in his right arm.

Angels: The club has no plans to shut down Pujols despite some nagging plantar fasciitis in his right foot, Scioscia said. Pujols, who hit his 586th homer earlier this week, has managed plantar fasciitis in his left foot for long stretches of his career.

UP NEXT


Reds: After a travel day, Anthony DeSclafani (8-2, 2.96 ERA) opens a homestand against St. Louis.

Angels: After a day off, Brett Oberholtzer (3-2, 5.16 ERA) makes his second start since the Angels claimed him off waivers from Philadelphia. He made it through just three innings at Detroit last weekend.

FROM ESPN

Trout ‘feels fine’ after serious highway crash

Los Angeles Angels slugger Mike Trout was involved in a serious highway crash Wednesday night in Orange County, California, in which he was uninjured after a home game in nearby Anaheim.

Two people were sent to hospitals as a result of two related incidents on the 55 freeway in Tustin, reports said, citing emergency personnel officials.

Video and photos showed Trout standing at the scene talking to an official and looking at his cellphone, all the while appearing to be OK.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler confirmed Trout's involvement in the crash and said in a statement that he had spoken to the 2014 American League MVP and that "he feels fine." Eppler said Trout was at home and planning to travel with the club on Thursday to Seattle.

One person was removed from a car using the Jaws of Life, the Orange County Register reported, citing Capt. Larry Kurtz of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Officials did not comment on details of the crashes, and the California Highway Patrol was investigating.

Trout, hitting .319 with 25 home runs and 84 RBIs, was given the night off to rest Wednesday, as the Angels completed a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 3-0 win.

Closer report: Trade leaves Angels pen in flux

Eric Karabell / ESPN Senior Writer

On a Wednesday chock full of transactions, including the top prospect for the Boston Red Sox earning a promotion and the Baltimore Oriolesacquiring a pair of outfielders, fantasy owners might have overlooked theLos Angeles Angels sending closer Fernando Salas to


the New York Metsfor a low-level prospect. Salas, 31, isn’t having a particularly strong season but he was saving games and now he won’t be, leaving a void. Angels right-hander Ricky Nolasco shut out the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, depriving all of seeing who the next man up in the ninth inning would be, but we should find out soon.

This matters because every save matters in some leagues, and now that we’re into September it’s even more important to be on top of changing closer situations. The Angels, who have already gone through closers Salas, Huston Street, Joe Smith and Cam Bedrosian, with none of them reaching double digits in saves, will likely turn to one of two right-handers: Deolis Guerra or JC Ramirez. Think this doesn’t matter? Salas saved four August games and over the past 15 days was more valuable on the Player Rater than Alex Colome, Sam Dyson, Edwin Diaz, Tony Cingrani, Jeanmar Gomez and Ryan Madson. It does matter.

Neither Guerra nor Ramirez has much closing experience, nor did either pile on the strikeouts in August, but Guerra has pitched better and boasts the eye-popping ratio of 30 strikeouts versus only three walks over 43 innings. That gets noticed. Ramirez is more of a journeyman but throws considerably harder, so perhaps manager Mike Scioscia chooses him. I think Guerra, 27-years-old and a fastball-changeup guy, is more likely to get the nod. Nobody’s saying he’s the next Craig Kimbrel or anything like that, but the Angels have won five in a row and even if they hadn’t -- bad teams get saves, too. So keep an eye on the Angels this weekend, and if you want to be proactive, add Guerra first. He could matter, and he may earn more value than other closers in September.

Closer notes: If it’s Thursday, we’re talking relief pitchers, and the only other ninth-inning situation in flux seems to be the Arizona Diamondbacks. Right-hander Daniel Hudson and his 6.10 ERA – yeah, it’s ugly out there – closed out Tuesday’s win but he can’t be secure in the role. Randall Delgado is probably better and should get opportunity as well. … Colorado Rockies right-hander Adam Ottavino surrendered five ninth-inning runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday but, unless he’s hurt, he’s probably not in immediate danger to lose the role. The organization loves him. … The Red Sox are desperate for setup aid for Craig Kimbrel, and clearly not willing to use their closer for more than three outs in an outing. Kimbrel did save Wednesday’s win, but not before the lead was lost in the top of the eighth, then regained. Kimbrel remains high on my offseason sell-high list, for myriad reasons. … No worries onWashington Nationals closer Mark Melancon, who was not summoned to close Wednesday’s win in Philly. He got the day off. He’s still one of the best and the team's shall-not-be-named former closer is still one of the unemployed, in case you’re hanging on him. … Cleveland Indiansmanager Terry Francona has the luxury of two closers to work with and lefty Andrew Miller earned saves in two of his past four appearances. He needs to be owned in all leagues. He might not get more than a few saves the rest of the way, but he’s one of three pitchers to have already passed 100 strikeouts as a relief pitcher. The others are New York Yankees closerDellin Betances and, surprise, Miami Marlins setup man Kyle Barraclough.

Wednesday hitting notes:The Red Sox announced they’re promoting top prospect Yoan Moncada to the big leagues and he’ll presumably handle regular duties at third base, a position


he only recently began learning. Still, the bat is ready. This is a potential 20-homer guy with 30 stolen bases next year, and I assume he’s gone in all your dynasty formats. Add in redraft formats as well, but be aware, he’s likely to hit at the bottom of the lineup. … The Orioles picked up Michael Bourn and Drew Stubbs and hey, good for them, but there’s nothing to see here from a fantasy aspect, though this does raise minor concern that the Adam Jones injury is more serious than believed. Bourn and Stubbs can steal bases but they don’t hit much. They’re bench guys. This move also is good for A.J. Pollock owners, as the Diamondbacks sent away one obstacle to him playing regularly. Not that Bourn should have taken his at-bats to start with. … Mets second baseman Neil Walker is done for the season with a back injury. Still, he matched a career-best with 23 home runs, and did so over only five months, not six. He certainly provided value. … The Minnesota Twinshave called up outfielder Byron Buxton and one would think he’ll play regularly in center field. Can he hit? Well, that remains the big question but, if you need steals, add him and hope. … And finally, Angels outfielderMike Trout was a passenger in a car involved in a serious accident overnight, but he was apparently unhurt. Let’s hope the others that were hurt, those that aren’t baseball players, heal quickly.

Wednesday pitching notes: Good for the Angels’ Nolasco for his first shutout in four years, but he’s not a reliable fantasy option and shouldn’t be added in standard formats. … Kansas City Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy has been one of the most added pitchers for a month, but his Wednesday didn’t go well, as he permitted four runs in 6 1/3 innings and, oddly enough, registered only one strikeout. Call it a fluke and stick with him. … Stick with Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez, of course, but his string of quality starts ended at four when the Rangers got six runs off him. Hernandez scares me perhaps more than any other top-25 hurler, for he doesn’t throw hard, his FIP is quite a bit worse than his ERA and the walk rate is at a career high. That said, it's hard to sit him unless there's a run of bad outings. … Toronto Blue Jays right-handerAaron Sanchez returned from his brief minor league stint and permitted nary an earned run in Baltimore. It sure doesn’t look like Sanchez, on a strict innings count even when there’s no evidence he needs to be, is fatigued. … St. Louis Cardinals rookie Luke Weaver fanned ten Brewers in six effective innings, a reminder that Weaver definitely has strikeout stuff and the Brewers definitely whiff a lot, for those looking for spot starters.

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