Monday, July 16, 2012


By George Alfano - Special to The Internet Home for Angels Fans, AngelsWin.com

Haren rehab start with Inland Empire 66ers

SAN BERNARDINO, CA -- For the first time since spring training, Dan Haren isn’t worried about a stiff back hindering his pitching.

Haren threw five innings Monday night during a rehabilitation start, throwing 67 pitches and allowing seven hits and two earned runs. Of the pitches, 44 were for strikes. The 6-foot-5 right-hander struck out two and didn’t walk anyone for the Inland Empire 66ers against the Lake Elsinore Storm, leaving the game with a 3-2 lead.

Inland Empire scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to earn a 5-4 victory over the Storm.  The 66ers are the Angels’ affiliate in the Advanced Class A California League, while Lake Elsinore is the Cal League affiliate of the San Diego Padres.

“I might feel it a little tomorrow, but I felt good in the fourth and fifth innings,” said Haren, who attended Bishop Amat High School in LaPuente, CA. “We talked about a simulated game, but it is better to play in a real game. My pitches were crisp and I didn’t hold anything back.”
   
Haren is scheduled to start for the Halos on Sunday against the Texas Rangers. Barring any unexpected problems after the start, he said he is ready. “I had inflammation and stiffness in my back in all but about two of my starts,” said Haren, adding his back didn’t feel well even when he struck out 14 in a complete game shutout against Seattle on May 24. Haren was placed on the disabled list after giving up nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against Cleveland on July 3. He was 6-8 with a 4.86 earned run average. 

Haren was sharp, but not totally dominating. Major leaguers in rehab starts usually are in the minors to work on certain things and to test their physical ability after an injury. He allowed two-extra base hits, as Lake Elsinore’s Everett Williams hit a hard double to right field. However, of the seven hits he allowed, two were infield singles and one was a soft single to center in the fifth inning.

“I was warned that Lake Elsinore was aggressive and would run a lot,” said Haren, who played at Pepperdine University. Rico Noel, Lake Elsinore’s leadoff hitter, had three steals to increase his total to 66 for the season. “I apologized for allowing them (Lake Elsinore) to steal four bases.”

Lake Elsinore scored two runs in the third. Lake Elsinore shortstop Chris Bisson, who had two hits against Haren, led off the third with a triple. Noel brought Bisson home with a squeeze bunt on the third-base side. Noel stole second and third, scoring on Justin Miller’s single to right. Haren said he decided to throw only fastballs and splitters in the fifth inning. Although he bounced a couple of splitters, the pitch was generally effective. Haren’s pitches were mainly between 82 and 89 miles per hour, although one scout clocked a fastball at 91 MPH.
   
Haren also looked good when he got to first base quickly to complete a 3-6-1 double play. He has made 273 starts without missing a turn prior to be placed on the disabled list for the first time in his 10-year career.

“I felt I could get people out even at 60 or 70 percent, but big league hitters are better than that,” said Haren. “No one wants to give in and I am a competitor, but I had to swallow my pride. I hated it on the disabled list. During the All-Star break, I think I slept about nine hours in three days.”


Here's a few pictures our AngelsWin.com - IE 66ers photographer Jeremy Long captured tonight at the ballpark for Dan Haren's rehab start.

Love to hear what you think!
Copyright © 2013 Los Angeles Angels Blog | AngelsWin.com

AngelsWin.com is the unofficial website of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Our comments and views do not express the views of the major league club or anyone affiliate with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  AngelsWin.com blog content, articles and opinions are provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind.  We disclaim warranties, express or implied, including warranties for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness, availability, security, compatibility and non-infringement.  Blog material, articles and other information furnished or supplied by you to AngelsWin.com become the ownership of AngelsWin.com for use at our discretion.  Your use of AngelsWin content is at your own discretion and risk. We do not warrant that any content here be error free that access thereto will be uninterrupted or errors will be corrected. We do not warrant or make any representations regarding  the use of any content made available through AngelsWin.com  You hereby waive any claim against us with respect thereto. AngelsWin.com may contain the opinions and views of other members and users. We cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy or veracity of any content generated by our members and other users. The content of AngelsWin.com is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Such content is not intended to, and does not, constitute legal, professional, medical or healthcare advice or diagnosis, and may not be used for such purposes. Reliance on any information appearing on AngelsWin.com is strictly at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in, or accessible through, the AngelsWin.com without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer or professional licensed in the recipient's state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.