The Los Angeles Angels have sputtered offensively while losing five of six, but the next pitcher they will face could provide an opportunity to change that.
Jerome Williams debuts for the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night when the clubs begin a two-game series at Angel Stadium with similarly struggling C.J. Wilson looking to turn things around for the home team.
After Sunday's 3-1 loss to Boston, Los Angeles (68-49) has been held to 13 runs while batting .191 in its last six. In 23 games since the All-Star break, the club is batting an AL-worst .223.
Wilson has struggled in a pair of outings since coming off the disabled list, prompting some concern for one of Los Angeles' top pitchers.
The left-hander lasted a mere 1 1/3 innings and yielded six runs on Aug. 2 against hosting Tampa Bay. He then hurled 5 2/3 frames versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, but was charged with four runs on six hits and four walks.
That dropped Wilson to 8-8 on the year with a 4.82 earned run average.
The 33-year-old Wilson is 0-1 with a save and 4.00 ERA in three previous meetings with the Phillies, including one start
Josh Hamilton has been at the forefront of the struggles, going 1 for 24 over six games, while Erick Aybar is 3 for 24 over the same period. Mike Trout produced Sunday's offense with a home run in a second straight game. He's 4 for 11 in his last two after an 0-for-10 stretch in his previous three.
Philadelphia (53-66) lost 5-3 to the New York Mets on Monday, dropping three of four in the series before heading west for five in Los Angeles and San Francisco. They did see signs of life from Darin Ruf, who homered after batting .129 through his first 19 games.
Pay per Head Review rate Pay per Head Network #1 for exceptional price per head sports betting solutions starting at just $5 per head for premium price per head bookie software.
The Angels have lost five of their past six to fall 3 1/2 games back of first- place Oakland in the AL West. They have scored two runs or fewer four times in that span, including a 3-1 loss to Boston on Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game set.
The Angels managed just six hits after winning an epic 19-inning marathon that ended 12 hours before Sunday's first pitch.
Perhaps a meeting with former Angels pitcher Jerome Williams can help.
Williams will make his Phillies debut tonight after being claimed off waivers from Texas. Philadelphia is the third team he will have pitched for this season after spending each of his previous three campaigns with the Angels.
The 32-year-old righty went 1-4 with a 6.04 ERA in 26 relief appearances with Houston before getting released. He joined the Rangers and split a pair of starts, hurling six frames of one-run ball to beat the Athletics on July 25 prior to getting blitzed for 10 runs and 13 hits over four frames of a setback to Cleveland on Aug. 1.
Williams will make his first ever start against the Angels, but has allowed eight runs over seven innings of relief versus them, spread out over three appearances.
The Phillies lost three of four to the New York Mets over the weekend, losing a 5-3 decision on Monday.
