Brewers Ace Goes Scorched Earth on Angel Stadium After Upset Loss

Clear Facts

• Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski called Angel Stadium’s mound “one of the worst” he’s ever pitched on following Sunday’s upset loss to the Angels
• Despite the defeat, Misiorowski pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out 10 batters
• Angel Stadium has faced mounting criticism over deteriorating conditions, including a recent pest infestation that forced an entire seating section to close

The Los Angeles Angels pulled off a stunning upset against the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, and star pitcher Jacob Misiorowski didn’t hold back when assessing the playing conditions at Angel Stadium. In a rare moment of candor, the Brewers ace unloaded on the state of the pitcher’s mound, calling it among the worst he’s encountered in professional baseball.

“It was awful. It was probably one of the worst mounds I’ve had,” Misiorowski told reporters after the game. “It was dry; it was rock hard. I had the guys out there fix it three times, two times. And we got it back to being decent, but yeah, it was awful; it’s bad.”

To his credit, Misiorowski refused to use the substandard conditions as an excuse for the loss.

“It is what it is and you can’t blame it on that. And I got to do my job.”

The right-hander backed up those words with a quality start, logging seven innings while surrendering only two runs on two hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked just one. The damage came on a second-inning, two-run homer by Wade Meckler — a mistake that proved costly in a pitcher’s duel.

Misiorowski’s comments reignited long-simmering frustration among Angels fans about what many perceive as ownership’s neglect of the stadium’s infrastructure. Angel Stadium, which opened in 1966, has shown its age in embarrassing ways this season.

Earlier this year, management closed an entire seating section due to a pest infestation. Former Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi previously criticized the facility’s lack of basic major league amenities, including a broken air conditioner in the weight room — hardly the standard expected in a multi-billion dollar industry.

Angels starter Walbert Ureña, who helped shut down Milwaukee’s offense, did not voice similar complaints about the mound. That silence led some observers to question whether Misiorowski’s criticism was legitimate or simply frustration over an uncharacteristic performance against a rebuilding Angels squad.

The Brewers, leaders of the NL Central, entered the series as heavy favorites against the Angels, who have openly embraced a seller’s mentality ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. Milwaukee won Friday and Saturday’s games in Anaheim, making Sunday’s loss all the more surprising.

In a bizarre twist Saturday, the Angels scratched starting pitcher José Soriano from his scheduled start, with the front office releasing a statement explaining they were holding him out due to potential trade discussions. Few teams have telegraphed their intentions to unload talent more clearly than the Angels this season.

The loss served as a reminder that even the best teams can stumble against inferior competition. For Misiorowski and the Brewers, it was a humbling moment in what has otherwise been a successful campaign.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.