Angels’ Santana learned the downside of “pitching to contact”

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The first four batters Ervin Santana faced in his career hit for the cycle -- a triple, double, single, then home run. Santana quickly learned that you can’t just throw your Grade-A stuff down the middle of the plate in the Major Leagues. He might re-learn that tonight, but by then, it might be too late.

A tough thing to learn in the playoffs: The other team is really good, too, and you have to adjust accordingly. ‘Putting pressure on the defense’ is great in theory until that defense is played by Kevin Youkilis. ‘Pitching to contact,’ which Santana has done well this year, looks a little different when the guy making that contact is Jason Bay.

The Angels have just scratched back a run in the bottom of the first, to make it 4-1. Will they make adjustments in time to save their season?

-- Matt Welch