ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Angels faced a left-handed pitcher for the sixth time this season, and Jared Walsh assumed what has become an all-too-familiar position — a spot on the bench for Friday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, the fifth straight game he did not start against a lefty.
So, the Angels first baseman marched into the manager’s office, reminded Joe Maddon of his All-Star credentials and the .277 average, .850 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, 29 homers and 98 RBIs he compiled last season and demanded to be inserted in the lineup, right?
“No, no, no, I’m trying to stay out of trouble,” the left-handed-hitting Walsh said with a hearty laugh before a 5-3 loss to the Orioles before a crowd of 31,679 in Angel Stadium. “If I make it an issue, it’s an issue, so it falls on me.
