CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Angels got some much-needed length from starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, but the bullpen faltered in a 7-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds Friday at Great American Ballpark.
Anderson pitched completed seven innings for the third time in four starts and allowed just one earned run, a home run to Tyler Stephenson.
The Angels bullpen had a disastrous eighth inning to make an Angels comeback out of the question. Adam Cimber loaded the bases and hit Nick Martini with a pitch to drive in a run.
With the Reds leading 3-1 and the bases loaded, Angels manager Ron Washington turned to Jose Cisnero to clean up Cimber’s mess. Cisnero promptly threw a wild pitch to allow the Reds to score their fourth run.
Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run home run off Cisnero to put the game out of reach.
Here are some takeaways from the Angels loss Friday:
Anderson continues to roll
Just a few days after Washington stated that the Angels starting pitchers need to pitch deeper into games to preserve the bullpen arms, Anderson gave Washington just what he asked for.
He allowed 3 hits, two runs, one earned with two strikeouts in seven innings of work. When he left the game the Angels trailed just 2-1 and had a chance to win the game.
Anderson is eighth in the American League in ERA with 1.42 and is one of just 12 American League pitchers to have an ERA under 2. Reid Detmers is also on that list with a 1.19 ERA.
He is seventh in innings pitched with 25.1 and has a WHIP of 1.00.
Washington is absolutely correct that the amount of innings the Angels have asked the bullpen to accumulate is not sustainable. Having Anderson throw seven innings every fifth day is much-needed by the Angels.
Mixed bag for Jo Adell
Jo Adell showed flashes of why the Angels chose him with the tenth overall pick in 2017 and also showed why he has been a disappointment to many thus far in his career.
On the bright side, he had a pair of hits, drove in the lone run for the Angels and stole his fifth base of the season.
The bad side of Adell was apparent Friday as well when he was thrown out easily at the plate and when he struck out with two runners in scoring position in the seventh.
Adell is one of the fastest players in the major leagues which is a huge asset for the Angels. But too often he runs himself into unnecessary outs on the base paths.
Angels bullpen is shaky at best
The Angels bullpen is statistically one of the worst in the American League and no matter what metrics you choose, it isn’t pretty.
Their 5.19 ERA is No. 12 in the American League and the six home runs allowed are tied for the most in the league.
Cisneros has allowed four of six inherited runners to score and so has Luis Garcia.
Part of the Angels bullpen troubles can be attributed to the high workload early in the season, but for the Angels to contend for a playoff spot, the bullpen is going to have to pitch much better.
