In this Sunday matinee, each starting pitcher had something to prove. Frankie Montas had to prove that he deserved a permanent spot in the starting rotation and prove that he is capable of performing like the top of the rotation starter he was projected to be. Tyler Skaggs needed to prove that he is fully healthy and prove that he hasn’t taken any steps back after several different rehabs.
Unfortunately for Montas, things got off to a rough start. He fell behind leadoff man Kole Calhoun 3-1 before giving up a double over Chad Pinder’s head, and then he hit Mike Trout on the elbow just a few pitches later.