John Lackey News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 27

Orange County Register

columnist Mark Whicker

"Last year, Mark Teixeira, Frankie Rodriguez and Garret Anderson were in the Angels' graduating class of sixth-year seniors. They were the free agents who left and probably were taking the Angels' AL West title with them. The Angels went to spring training anyway, and went a step further in the playoffs than they did in 2008 and, probably, wound up a better team. It's not a half-empty, half-full thing. It's the hole-in-the-water theory. Eventually, it gets filled. This year the class is bigger and more substantial. The hole is deeper, too, and there's a water shortage. The possible free agents are John Lackey, Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Darren Oliver. Those are vital ..."

Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list

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October 26

SI.com

(scroll down)

"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."

Rain could precipitate Game 7 start for Angels' John Lackey

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October 25

Los Angeles Times

"The heavens blessed the Angels. The rain won at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, but so did the visiting team. If the Angels get to Game 7 on Monday, following two days off and Game 6 tonight, they could have several attractive choices for their starting pitcher. "Are you . . . me?" John Lackey said. "This is mine." Lackey said that Thursday, as Mike Scioscia pulled him from Game 5 with a shutout intact. Lackey did not say that Saturday, but he did not have to. If the Angels get to Game 7, it's his. All we heard before the series was how the mighty New York Yankees could vanquish the Angels by using CC Sabathia three times. The Angels have the extra day in their favor now, and they're just as ..."

ALCS delay could play into Angels' hands -- specifically, Lackey's

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October 25

L.A. Daily News

"For once, the Angels could reap benefits from inclement weather. A steady rain that caused large puddles to form all along Yankee Stadium's warning track postponed Saturday's Game 6 of the American League Championship Series until 5:20 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time today. The Angels are down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, but if they win today and force a Game 7, ace John Lackey will almost certainly earn the start on three days rest. CC Sabathia already is scheduled to pitch for the third time in the series, and Sabathia has baffled the Angels twice in winning Games 1 and 4. "Obviously, I want to be in games as often as I can be," Lackey said. A Game 7 pitting the aces against one another ..."

Scioscia: Lackey likely in a Game 7

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October 24

New York Post

"The chances for rain and thunder at game time tonight are 90 percent. Should Game 6 be postponed until Sunday night and the Angels then win it, the forecast for John Lackey starting game 7 Monday night on three days' rest is somewhere between 90 and 100 percent. Asked yesterday if Lackey would be used on three days' rest, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he would. "If there is an opportunity to look at bringing a guy like John back, it's something we would certainly consider," Scioscia said. "We have talked about a lot of different scenarios. I think we're gong to let this thing unfold a little bit and see how the weekend goes." Unfolded were Scioscia's Angels in Game 5, rallying from a ..."

John Lackey tries to keep Los Angeles Angels alive in ALCS

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October 22

New York Daily News

"John Lackey is the Angels' big game pitcher. And the Angels couldn't have a bigger game than this one. The Halos stand on the brink of elimination inÂ Thursday night'sÂ Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against the Yankees. The biggest moment of Lackey's career also came in an elimination game, when he was tabbed to start Game 7 of the 2002 World Series against the Giants - which he won with five solid innings. "Then I was, what? I was 22. I was just trying to help out the older guys and not mess it up, you know?" he said. "Now I'm kind of one of those older guys that needs to step up and needs to help lead this team to another game. It's definitely a different feeling for sure." The ..."

Tonight's start big for Lackey

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October 22

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Forget the money. John Lackey already is a lot richer than most people you know. Before next spring, he'll be a lot richer than even more people you know. That is not the issue tonight. The issue tonight is the definition of an Ace, or a One, or whatever you call a dominant starting pitcher in the playoffs. This is the year CC Sabathia, of the Yankees, has become that guy. And this was the spring in which Lackey, frustrated that the Angels seemed oblivious to his upcoming free-agent eligibility, declared himself comparable to Sabathia. "Except for his time in the National League, look at the numbers," Lackey said of Sabathia, who had just signed a contract that will pay him at least $60 ..."

Angels call on Lackey to start Game 5

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October 22

Washington Times

"Down to their last gasp in the American League Championship Series, there's no one the Los Angeles Angels would rather entrust their playoff lives to than John Lackey. The veteran right-hander will get the ball for a do-or-die Game 5 against the New York Yankees on Thursday night, on the eve of his 31st birthday, hoping to duplicate past heroics and force this series back to the East Coast. "He's our ace for a reason," third baseman Chone Figgins said. "If we're going to go down, at least we've got him on the mound to go down with." As a 24-year-old rookie in 2002, he went 2-0 in the postseason and won Game 7 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants with five innings of one-run ..."

Lackey's future with Angels in question

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October 22

L.A. Daily News

"There is no doubt John Lackey will take the mound for the Angels tonight in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series. Doubt remains, though, on whether or not Lackey will ever start for the Angels again. If the Angels can't pull off the improbable and rally from a 3-1 deficit to beat the New York Yankees in the ALCS, Lackey becomes a free agent. With a weak free-agent class for pitchers, he is certain to demand the type of top dollar that might not fit into the Angels' budget. Has he put any thought into the idea that tonight's game might be his last in Angels red? "That's not really up to me," he said with a laugh. "I'm trying to do my best to just stay in the moment and help ..."

Angels' ace no Lackey on mound

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October 16

New York Post

"Neither rain nor cold nor doom portended by a loaded Yankees lineup will stay John Lackey from an appointed, round, minimum $100 million this winter. Even in an economy that has tanked far worse than the Angels ace ever will in 100 million years. "I'm not going to get intimidated by anybody," said Lackey, CC Sabathia's opponent in Game 1 tonight, when asked if it's hard not to be threatened by a team this deep. "That's why I'm throwing [tonight]." A man of few words, who has made short work of postseason lineups with the best pitchers of this generation, left it to Mike Scioscia to explain how. "He's pitched big games wherever they show up, in the pennant race or playoffs," said the ..."

CC, Lackey ready for cold, wet ALCS

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October 16

New York Post

"It will be as cold as Hillary Clinton's freezer face tonight at Yankee Stadium when the Angels and Yankees open the best-of-seven ALCS. Mix in some light rain and temperatures in the 30s by the end of the game and you have anti-baseball weather for Game 1 of a series that will decide who represents the AL in the World Series. And it's expected to be just as bad tomorrow night when Game 2 is scheduled to be played with more wind, rain and dropping temperatures are on tap. This is what you get when MLB doesn't demand recently built stadiums to have at least a retractable roof. "You try to keep your hands warm and stay loose," Mark Teixeira said of the expected conditions. "You can get so ..."

Angels will start series with Lackey

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October 15

Orange County Register

"Angels manager Mike Scioscia on Wednesday announced his team's starting pitching plans for the first five games of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. After John Lackey pitches Friday night's opener vs. CC Sabathia, left-hander Joe Saunders will start Saturday at Yankee Stadium. Jered Weaver will pitch Game 3 in Anaheim, followed by Scott Kazmir. If the series lasts five games, Lackey would make his final start of the series in Game 5. Weaver likely would start a deciding Game 7, if it's played. Scioscia said a lot of factors went into the plan, including Weaver's success at home and the desire to use a left-handed starter at Yankee Stadium, which favors left-handed hitters. "There ..."

Angels' John Lackey not lacking in this Game 1 start

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October 9

Boston Herald

columnist Mark Whicker

"When last seen or heard in the postseason, John Lackey stood amid the sullenness in the visitors' quarters at Fenway Park, yearning to "throw somebody through a window." Now, 367 days later, with the task of beating the Red Sox swelling into a full-blown franchise emergency, Lackey devoted 7 2/3 innings to breaking glass. So Boston likes to work counts and take borderline pitches? Lackey would throw first-pitch strikes to the first eight Sox he faced, and fastballs in 17 of his 21 first-inning pitches. So Boston would reverse the storyline and run the Angels into distraction? Lackey quieted six of the seven leadoff men he faced. So the Angels shouldn't have started the guy who is tied for ..."

Angels' ace John Lackey should hear pitch from Mets

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October 9

New York Daily News

"He has had a big-game reputation since he won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a 24-year-old rookie, yet John Lackey hadn't won a postseason start since that magical night. And last October he had raised eyebrows in his own clubhouse by complaining about a lack of offense after losing to the Red Sox. Suffice to say he has restored his reputation. On a night when the Angels needed someone to simply refuse to lose to the Red Sox and send a message that the past is the past, Lackey proved his worth in more ways than one. In one way, by throwing 7-1/3 shutout innings, he may well have set exactly the tone the Angels need to finally play their way past the Red Sox in the postseason. In ..."

Angels' fans stand after John Lackey delivers

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October 9

Los Angeles Times

columnist Bill Dwyre

"For right-handed pitching bulldog John Lackey, the Red Sox had gone quietly, but he didn't want to. It was 9:22 p.m. in a raucous Angel Stadium. He had held Boston scoreless for 7 1/3 innings in this first game of a best-of-five American League division series. Torii Hunter had hit a three-run homer in the fifth. His Angels had added two more in the seventh. Ghosts were being exorcised all over the place. And yet, at his first sight of Manager Mike Scioscia heading his way, Lackey tossed his head back in disappointment, then slapped the baseball hard into his glove. Lackey was like most Angels fans. He wanted more. A complete game, at least. The shutout too. His gestures were of a guy who ..."

It's price tag time for Lackey

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October 7

Los Angeles Times

"This is a huge series for the Angels, but it might be even bigger for John Lackey. Already widely acknowledged as the most impressive pitcher in the upcoming free-agent market, Lackey will sign a lucrative multiyear deal with someone, no matter what. Ah, but just how lucrative might depend on how well he pitches in the postseason. Despite all his ability and his clear status as the Angels' No. 1 starter, his numbers for this season weren't overwhelming. An 11-8 record and 3.83 ERA are decent, but it's hardly CC Sabathia or Roy Halladay territory. Make no mistake, that's what Lackey and his agent are shooting for in the off-season. Some think Lackey will be asking for something in the ..."

John Lackey: What 'hex' against the Red Sox?

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October 7

Los Angeles Times

"The first question to John Lackey at his news conference today, from a Boston reporter: What will be the key to overcoming the hex that the Red Sox have on your team? "Their hex, huh?" Lackey said. "I don't know how to answer that. They've got a great team. It's a definite challenge, but it's a new year. We take each year in and of itself. We've kind of moved on past that. We're focused on this year." The Angels have lost all four playoff matchups with Boston -- in 1986, 2004, 2007 and 2008. "In 1986, a lot of our guys weren't even born, on our club," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "The way we played in '04, and the way we played in '07, we probably could have been playing any team in ..."

Ace Lackey receives familiar assignment

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October 5

MLB.com

"It might be old business for John Lackey by now, but it never gets old. "When you're young and trying to establish yourself," Lackey said, "you don't have a long track record to draw on. You're not sure which direction it's going to go. When you get older, you know how to get there." Lackey is trying to reach the winner's circle again, a wonderful place he visited in 2002 as a raw rookie with 18 games of Major League experience, surrounded by hardened veterans. He realizes now how difficult the process can be. For the third year in a row, he's ready to take the ball from manager Mike Scioscia for Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday or Thursday on TBS and do his part ..."

Lackey wins pitching duel in Angels victory

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September 6

Los Angeles Times

"It was a marquee pitching matchup that didn't disappoint, a pair of aces bringing out the best in each other but dueling to a draw. Neither Angels right-hander John Lackey nor Kansas City right-hander Zack Greinke figured in the decision Saturday night, which was probably fitting, because neither deserved to lose. Not until the 11th inning, after Lackey and Greinke combined to put up 15 zeros and give up two runs, was this one decided. Torii Hunter, who knocked in the tying run with a clutch, two-out, single off Greinke in the eighth, singled to lead off the 11th, took second on a wild pitch and scored on Erick Aybar's one-out single to lift the Angels to a dramatic 2-1 victory in Kauffman ..."

Lackey's command, Kendrick's five RBIs lift Angels

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July 30

L.A. Daily News

"The John Lackey freight train not only continued down the tracks Wednesday at Angel Stadium, it appeared to have picked up speed. Lackey delivered another strong outing, holding back the hot Cleveland Indians offense in a 9-3 Angels' victory. Howie Kendrick did his part with a career-high five RBIs. Call it a well-rounded day for the Angels, who improved to 60-40. The Angels have now won 10 of their past 12 games, and since June 11 (when they were an even 29-29), they are a major-league best 31-11. Lackey (7-4) gave up just one run on three hits over seven innings to finish off an impressive July by going 5-1. He has allowed two earned runs or less in six of his past seven starts. Over ..."

Angels' ace has rough outing in loss

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June 11

Orange County Register

"This time, the Angels might have been better off if John Lackey had only stuck around for two pitches. The right-hander had one of the worst starts of his career Wednesday night, allowing five runs in the second inning and nine runs in five innings as the Tampa Bay Rays handed the Angels a 9-5 defeat. Lackey has given up more runs just once in his 212 major-league starts. He allowed 10 runs to the Texas Rangers in a 2 2/3-inning debacle last September with the division-winning Angels playing out the string in the last days of the season. This one clearly stung much more. Lackey's body language at times (particularly during the five-run second inning) was just as easy to read as some of his ..."

Angels' John Lackey has to start someplace, gets win

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May 19

Los Angeles Times

"John Lackey stuck around for more than two pitches Monday night. In fact, he extended his pitch count to 82 against the Seattle Mariners, a marked improvement from Saturday's abbreviated start in Texas, when he was ejected after two fastballs, one that went behind Ian Kinsler's head and one that hit Kinsler in the ribs. Other than that, there wasn't much for the Angels' ace to be too thrilled about Monday. The right-hander was mediocre by his standards, allowing five runs -- four earned -- and seven hits in five innings of a 10-6 victory that snapped the Angels' three-game losing streak. But it was a start, a legitimate one compared to Saturday's Texas two-pitch, and after he missed the ..."

Be careful, John

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May 18

Philadelphia Inquirer

"It will be interesting to see where John Lackey throws his first pitch tonight. The Angels righthander will make his second start of the season tonight in Seattle after his season debut ended after two pitches Friday. Lackey, who was fresh off the disabled list, threw his first pitch behind Texas Rangers leadoff man Ian Kinsler. When his second pitch hit Kinsler square in the ribs, plate umpire Bob Davidson stepped forward and threw Lackey out of the game, even though there had been no warning between pitches. "I was definitely shocked," Lackey told the Los Angeles Times. "I haven't pitched in six weeks, and I was amped up. I was trying to come in on him, but there was no intention at all ..."

Mike Scioscia to seek rules clarification

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May 17

Los Angeles Times

"Manager Mike Scioscia plans to contact Bob Watson, baseball's vice president of discipline, rules and on-field operations, and Mike Port, vice president of umpiring, in an effort to get some clarification on rules regarding warnings and ejections. Last week in Anaheim, before a series between the Angels and Red Sox, umpires put the teams on alert because of the Josh Beckett-sparked benches-clearing incident between the teams the previous time they met, on April 12. When Boston right-hander Justin Masterson threw a pitch behind the back of Torii Hunter, both benches were warned, meaning another similar pitch would result in the ejection of the pitcher and that pitcher's manager. But there ..."

Angels starter Lackey itching to return this weekend

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May 13

L.A. Daily News

"The Angels haven't officially announced if John Lackey will start in this weekend's series at Texas, but as far as Lackey's concerned, he's ready to return from his strained right forearm injury after throwing 79pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday. "I feel really good, like I'm ready to go," Lackey said Tuesday. "I have a good idea of when my body is ready - I've been around the block a couple of times." Lackey's position in the rotation could be based on the status of Ervin Santana, who pitched in a rehab start Saturday and threw a bullpen session Tuesday. If Santana shows no ill effects, he would likely be inserted into the rotation Friday while Lackey would be ..."

Angels ace Lackey takes cortisone shot

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March 29

L.A. Daily News

"Angels right-hander John Lackey was examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum on Saturday and received a cortisone shot aimed at reducing the inflammation in his strained forearm. "It could have been worse, I guess," Lackey said. "The frustrating part is not being ready for Opening Day. I guess it's better to take care of it now." Yocum said the MRI taken of Lackey's elbow Thursday indicated a muscle strain with related inflammation. It is unrelated to the triceps injury that forced Lackey to open last season on the disabled list. The MRI confirmed the triceps issue has been "resolved," Yocum said, and Lackey's elbow "looks better than it did in last year's MRI." Lackey will not throw at all for at ..."

Elbow will keep Lackey out for opener

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March 28

L.A. Daily News

"The Angels could have the most formidable starting rotation in baseball ... sometime in May. When they open the season against the Oakland Athletics in nine days, however, it will be with a rotation of Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver, Dustin Moseley, Nick Adenhart and Shane Loux. The elbow discomfort that forced John Lackey to be shut down after his start Sunday in Surprise, Ariz., had not abated when he tried to play catch Thursday, and that prompted the Angels to send him for an MRI. Manager Mike Scioscia said the MRI revealed "inflammation we're dealing with" but no structural damage to the elbow. The Angels medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum is expected in camp today to examine Lackey and ..."

Bad news for John Lackey, Torii Hunter

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March 26

Los Angeles Times

"An Angels camp that has been buoyed by the uplifting story of Kelvim Escobar's remarkable recovery from shoulder surgery was hit by a double dose of bad news Wednesday. Ace John Lackey was shut down because of elbow tightness, an injury that could jeopardize his opening-day start against Oakland on April 6. And Torii Hunter was knocked out of Wednesday's 18-11 exhibition victory over Colorado in the first inning when Jeff Baker's long drive hit the wall and caromed into Hunter's nose. The center fielder, already slowed by a sinus infection, made a leaping attempt for the ball before crashing into the wall and crumpling onto the warning track. The ball fell for a two-run, inside-the-park ..."

Need to bunt? Get Angels pitcher Lackey up

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March 18

L.A. Daily News

"John Lackey again showed the Angels what he can do Tuesday. Along the way, he showed off a little for everyone else, too. Lackey complemented five solid innings of pitching with two sacrifice bunts, both of which led to runs in the Angels' 12-7 victory over San Diego. "I'm on it," he joked. "I gotta show my skills to National League teams." That was a reference to Lackey's unsettled contract situation. In the final year of his current deal, he could be a free agent after this season. The Angels and Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard, have been discussing a new agreement. Lackey said he and Hilliard expect to hear something back from the Angels this week. He poured through the Padres needing ..."

Lackey surprised the Angels haven't talked contract

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February 18

Orange County Register

"John Lackey has watched the long, harsh winter endured by many free agents this year and has seen enough CNN updates to realize the country is in troubled economic times. But he isn't worried. "Go have a look at the list of guys who can be free agents next year," the Angels right-hander said, perhaps tipping his hand about where he is headed. "I think I'll be alright." It is an unimpressive list that thins out quickly after A's outfielder Matt Holliday (and Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero). On that list, only three starting pitchers - Boston's Josh Beckett, Cleveland's Cliff Lee and Arizona's Brandon Webb - can be considered in Lackey's class and all three have options for 2010 ..."

John Lackey probably should get a save

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August 10

Los Angeles Times

"The Yankees had a 3-1 lead and runners on second and third with one out in the seventh inning Saturday when Angels Manager Mike Scioscia came to the mound for a chat with John Lackey. "He wanted to look me in the eyes to see if I was ready to go," Lackey said. "When a manager leaves you in the game in a tough situation like that, it gives you confidence. You want to make him look good." Lackey did just that, getting Bobby Abreu to ground to second baseman Howie Kendrick, who threw out Melky Cabrera at home, and striking out Alex Rodriguez to end the inning. Rodriguez and Jason Giambi had homered off Lackey in the sixth. The Angels tied the score in the bottom of the seventh and won it with ..."

Angels' Lackey says he's starting to hit 'dead-arm' phase

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July 28

L.A. Daily News

"Marathoners have 'the wall.' Pitchers have the 'dead-arm' phase. "I think most guys go through it," Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher said. "Even position players. ... Even coaches. Some times it lasts six or nine months for us. "Basically, your velocity is going to be there. It might be off a tick or two but your command isn't as good. It's a feel thing and that feel just isn't there. Your arm kind of feels like a wet noodle. ... You just kind of grind it out. Most guys have an idea when they're going to get it." John Lackey has an idea - now. "It usually happens for me around the 100-inning mark," Lackey said. "It's just my 100 innings happened a little later than usual." Since spending ..."

Lackey shows he's human after all

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July 6

L.A. Daily News

columnist Steve Dilbeck

"Ah, mortality. It calls to us all. Neither the young, nor the superstars, are invulnerable forever. Guess bullets had bounced off John Lackey's chest only so long. There are only so many tall buildings, and cleanup hitters, to leap in a single bound. Lackey had been sort of otherworldly unbelievable anyway, looking more like he'd just come in from Krypton rather than the disabled list. He spent the first six weeks of the season out with a strained triceps, and the next six weeks making hitters look feeble. Making it look easy."

John Lackey outpitches Johan Santana

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June 18

Los Angeles Times

"Don't go hoisting any pennants or organizing any parades just yet, but the Angels' six-week-long offensive drought may be nearing an end.Either that or the New York Mets' pitching is really bad -- which is a distinct possibility since the team fired its manager and pitching coach before Tuesday's game.But no matter who gets the credit -- or blame -- the fact remains that with Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Mets and Johan Santana, the Angels have suddenly scored at least six runs in consecutive games for the first time since May 1."