Game 27: Blue Jays-Angels …

Blue Jays (15-11)

Kelly Johnson, 2B
Yunel Escobar, SS
Jose Bautista, RF
Adam Lind, 1B
Edwin Encarnacion, DH
Eric Thames, LF
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Colby Rasmus, CF
Jeff Mathis, C

Pitching: RH Henderson Alvarez (1-2, 3.62 ERA)

Angels (10-16)

Mike Trout, CF
Maicer Izturis, 3B
Albert Pujols, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Torii Hunter, RF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Mark Trumbo, LF
Erick Aybar, SS
Bobby Wilson, C

Pitching: RH Ervin Santana (0-5, 6.16 ERA)

Some pregame notes …

• The Dodgers finalized their deal with former Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu, who was released last week. “It was a tough decision, and there was no doubt that he was going to settle into a place to play,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “He can still do a lot of things on the baseball field.”
• Braves third baseman Chipper Jones weighed in on Pujols’ slump (as passed along by colleague Mark Bowman). Here’s what he said: “It happens to everybody.  At some point in everybody’s career, they’re going to struggle. Albert made this game look easy for an awful long time. But no matter how good you are, at some point you’re going to go through one of these stretches. While I don’t share everybody’s concern with Albert’s slump, I know Albert is going to bounce back just fine. When he does get out of it, I’m glad we don’t play him. He’s experiencing what us mere mortals have experienced for years.”
• Kevin Jepsen was optioned to Triple-A in order to make room for new reliever Ernesto Frieri.
• Scioscia said he expects Frieri to pitch “later in the game as opposed to the middle,” saying: “All reports point to a guy who really will fit into our bullpen and be able to be a part of the component that’s going to hold leads for us.”
• Chris Iannetta is not in the lineup for a second straight game due to some swelling he’s nursing in his right hand/wrist, suffered on a hit by pitch on Wednesday. He’s expected to be back out there Saturday and Scioscia said he’d be available to pinch-hit tonight.
• The Angels have been involved in a shutout each of the last three games (2 wins, 1 loss) for the first time since 1989. They’ve never been involved in four in a row.

Angels links from Thursday …

• After joy of no-no, Angels are silenced by Brandon Morrow
• A day later, Jered Weaver still reveling in no-no
• Pujols confident hits — and homers — will come
• Angels bolster bullpen by trading for Frieri
• Scioscia showing confidence in Trumbo at third
• Mathis back in Anaheim with Blue Jays
• Santana looking to nail down first win

Some AL West links …

• The Rangers are still without Adrian Beltre
• Coco Crisp is headed to the DL
• Mariners fall short in finale of 10-game trip

And the Miami Heat took a commanding 3-0 series lead on the Knicks last night.

– Alden