The secret goat

If the Angels go on to lose tonight after that wretched, Little League-style, three-run "single" in the bottom of the second inning, the blame for the series will universally be laid onto the Thing-like shoulders of Howie "Howard" Kendrick. As is probably correct.

But fan favorite and seven-time Gold Glover Torii Hunter deserves his share of a goat pie. That play belongs to the center fielder, period, and he neither made it nor called for it. He followed that up the next inning by striking out on a pitch in the dirt with nobody out and Vladimir Guerrero on second base, then barking at the ump for making the correct call. Which he also did in Game 2 on that bang-bang play at first, where he lost his composure and his hurt his knee. Which may have contributed to his dropped fly ball later in the game.

You expect young players like Kendrick to freeze a little when staring at the headlights. But Hunter? He's got to do better. 

-- Matt Welch

Matt Welch is editor of Reason magazine.

Photo: Angels center fielder Torii Hunter and second baseman Howie Kendrick scramble after a bloop single by Jacoby Ellsbury in the second inning Sunday. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times