Angels drop Blue Jays into No. 2 wild-card spot with shutout

“I think that he understands some of the things he needs to get back to from when he pitched in college and where he feels really comfortable throwing the ball,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “His stuff out there today was explosive. He had great command, great velocity, he was spinning the ball well, threw some good changeups. Some pitches got away from him, but for the most part, he was very pitch-efficient and effective.”

Meyer worked with pitching coach Charles Nagy and special assistant to the general manager Bud Black over the last few days to move his arm slot higher, closer to where it was when he pitched in college at Kentucky. Meyer watched his younger self on YouTube in an effort to match that same delivery.

“We kind of just tried to pick some things from back then and work on trying to stay a little bit taller on the mound and keep my arm slot up a little bit,” Meyer said. “It was a good change today.”

It led to the success Meyer was seeking.

“It was awesome, it’s something that you think about for a long time,” Meyer said. “I don’t want to say it gets a monkey off your back, but to be able to get that is pretty special. I can’t really put it into words but it was a fun day.”

Marcus Stroman (9-9) went six innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out three.

Toronto left seven on base and was a combined 1 for 17 with runners in scoring position in the last two games. However, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said there’s no reason to panic. It was simply two off days for the offence.

“There’s not a guy out in that room that’s not busting his (butt) trying to come through,” Gibbons said. “If it was that easy to hit, more people would be doing it. They’re competing, we’re just coming up short.”

The game was delayed for 13 minutes in the bottom of the third inning due to bees on the field.

Stroman allowed runs in the second and fourth innings before Joe Biagini gave up two in the seventh inning.

Trout went from first to third on Pujols’ single in the seventh and came home on C.J. Cron’s sacrifice fly. After Andrelton Simmons walked, Rafael Ortega’s flare dropped into shallow left field for a single. Ortega advanced to second on the throw and scored Pujols from third base to cap the scoring.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: C Jett Bandy remained out of the lineup with a sore back. Bandy exited Saturday’s game with back spasms after a slide in the first inning.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: RHP Marco Estrada (8-9, 3.78) opens a series against the Mariners. He has lost his past three starts and five of his last six decisions. He has allowed 12 earned runs in his last 12 2/3 innings. He lost a 2-1 decision to Seattle on July 22 in Toronto and is 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.

Angels: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (4-6, 5.44 ERA) will make his second start since coming out of the bullpen, again in place of the injured Tyler Skaggs, when the Angels start a three-game series on the road against the Texas Rangers. Chacin has pitched to a 0.57 ERA in his last three starts and is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three appearances against Texas.

Abbey Mastracco, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Angels drop Blue Jays into No. 2 wild-card spot with shutout

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