Despite a shaky start to the 2009 season, Monday night’s starter John Lackey looked like a legitimate ace, as the Angels defeated the San Francisco 9-7, their fourth straight victory.

While inconsistent at beast to start off the season, Lackey looked like his old-self, as he pitched seven strong innings, striking out ten and allowing just three runs, to record his first victory since May 18 against Seattle. He even showed some ability at the plate as well as on the mound, as he singled in a run for his first major league hit and RBI in the top of the 4th inning.

But what was most impressive about Monday’s victory over the Giants was the fact not only the starting pitching was dependable, but the offense was clicking as well. Collectively, the Angel batters totaled sixteen hits for nine runs, while also hitting four home runs. Juan Rivera, Erick Aybar, Bobby Abreu, and Sean Rodriguez, all went yard at some point during the game.

“I don’t think it’s a fluke,” said manager Mike Scioscia in an Associated Press article when asked about his team’s power. “We’ve been saying all along we felt we had more power potential on this team than we were showing. These last four games it’s showing up in a big way.”

Well, let’s hope Scioscia is right and the power trend keeps up.

Here are some additional thoughts:

• While it was a very encouraging game, especially in terms of the offensive production and performance from Lackey, but there are still some reasons to be concerned. Yes, I am talking about the bullpen. With the Angels holding a 9-7 lead heading into the eight inning, relievers Justin Speier and Kevin Jepsen allowed four runs in a combined 1 2/3 inning to cut the Angels’ lead to just two. Luckily, for the rest of the team, Brian Fuentes was able to enter the game and get Rich Aurilia to fly out in order to preserve the victory.
• Hopefully Torii Hunter will be okay. In the fourth inning, Hunter was forced to leave the game after bruising his ribs when he crashed into the wall trying to catch a double by Bengie Molina. Luckily, X-rays taken after the game on his right rib cage revealed that everything was normal. Still, it’s absolutely essential to the future success of the Angels that Hunter, who leads the team in RBIs, HRs, and Runs, returns healthy. 
• So much for “accepting” San Francisco Giant fans. So let me get this straight, Giant fans will cheer for the biggest jerk in all of baseball and a guy who needles stuck in rear for ten years, but they emphatically boo John Lackey. I always thought San Francisco fans were supposed to be rather easy-going and forgiving. Well, I guess they haven’t forgotten about the 2002 World Series just yet. 

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