Phil Nevin: Mental Mistakes Took Over In Angels Loss To Rangers

The Los Angeles Angels’ 12-0 shutout loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday highlighted a greater list of issues aside from the final score.

Sitting seven games out of a Wild Card spot, trailing three other teams, while teetering a line of if they’re good enough to compete with good clubs is another huge question mark. Losing by 12 runs on Monday was a subplot, mustering only one hit was all they could put up, but the three errors might be what sticks with Angels manager Phil Nevin.

Now two games under .500 entering play on Tuesday, the Angels don’t have room for setbacks, and in this case, they have no room for error. But the three in the box score is a stamp on their inability to find a rhythm as a unit, leaving their pitchers on an island with no room to fail.

Nevin discussed the loss, highlighting the key points in what led to the loss, via Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:

“It’s (lack of) focus, from the first play of the game,” Nevin said. “That’s what I saw. There’s a difference between physical errors and what I consider mental parts. Those happened. I’ll just leave it at that. We let it affect us. The next play is too important to let the last one (affect you). I’ve always said that. We let some things get to us today. And that’s the first time I’ve seen that though. Disappointed? Absolutely. Mad? Yeah. But I know this group in there. They’ll rebound and come out tomorrow. It’ll be better.”

The lopsided loss, mixed with a huge dip in offensive production, has skewed the team’s run differential into the red, as it stands at -16 on the season. Facing high quality arms like Rangers starter Max Scherzer is who they’ll have to rise to the occasion against if they intend to be a serious team.

Perry Minasian says the Angels have to push on

Still trailing multiple teams in the Wild Card, the Angels need to find an area of consistency on a roster that hasn’t been able to trend in a positive direction for an extended period.

General manager Perry Minasian utilized a lot of prospect resources in solidifying the roster, but the results just haven’t come. Losers in seven of their past 10 games, he is still trying to urge the club to keep playing to the best of their ability.