ANAHEIM — On a day that the recently slumping Angels broke out for nine runs and 13 hits, the number that really stood out in the box score was this: three strikeouts.
The Angels, who lead the majors in strikeout rate, equaled their season-low on Friday night. The only other time they struck out three times this season was April 12 in Cincinnati. They also scored nine runs in that game.
Friday’s performance was even more surprising considering that they were facing two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, who ranked fourth in the majors with a 31% strikeout rate. The Angels sent 18 hitters to the plate against deGrom, who recorded all three strikeouts. The Angels didn’t strike out once in 23 plate appearances against the Rangers’ bullpen.
Was that just a fluke, or a sign that the Angels have changed something about their message or work?
“Honestly, there wasn’t,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I was in the meeting and it’s same as we always do. Go out there and get ready to hit. It’s kind of weird how some things play out. That’s baseball.”
Certainly, one difference was that the Angels replaced Yoán Moncada and Josh Lowe in the lineup with Donovan Walton and Wade Meckler. Walton and Meckler have both shown better-than-average contact ability in the minors. Neither of them struck out on Friday.
When asked if their approach can be “infectious” to the other hitters, Suzuki said: “I hope so.”
Suzuki mentioned a Jorge Soler at-bat in which he got the bat on a 1-and-2 slider and dumped it into center field for a single.
“I think those type of things are infectious and guys are just feeding off each other,” Suzuki said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
NO NEWS ON JOYCE
Right-hander Ben Joyce has still not resumed throwing since the Angels slowed down his rehab two weeks ago. Joyce, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery, has been in Arizona this week working out with a physical therapist.
Suzuki said the time off has not yet risen to the level of being a “concern.”
“I want to make sure he’s good,” Suzuki said. “I don’t want him to rush back and set himself back. I just want him to make sure he gets everything right. They check him out and everything checked out OK, so I’m not worried.”
Once Joyce is cleared to throw again, the question will be how far back he is set in his rehab. He had pitched in four minor league games, working as frequently as every other day.
“Obviously, he is going to be set back, but I can’t imagine it being that far back,” Suzuki said. “But we’ll see when he starts playing catch again. We’ll see how he’s feeling.”
NOTES
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe was not in the lineup on Saturday, but he said he was feeling much better. “I feel good,” O’Hoppe said. “Same as the other headshots from the last couple years, so nothing out of the ordinary now.” O’Hoppe was checked for a concussion after a home plate collision on Friday night. Suzuki said even though O’Hoppe was cleared to play, he wanted to give him the day off. “He said he was doing OK, but sometimes you’ve got to protect them,” Suzuki said. …
Left-hander Drew Pomeranz (elbow inflammation) faced hitters and said afterward it went well. “He looked good,” Suzuki said. “Said he felt good. He’s excited how good he feels, so that’s a good thing.” Suzuki said they’ll discuss his next steps on Sunday. Pomeranz is eligible to come off the injured list on Thursday, the final day of the series in Detroit. …
Suzuki said the Angels still don’t have a diagnosis on Moncada, who underwent an MRI exam on his right knee on Friday. …
The Angels signed veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker to a minor league deal. He will report to the complex in Arizona to work out. Walker, 33, was released last month by the Philadelphia Phillies after posting a 9.13 ERA in 22⅔ innings. …
A day after the Angels placed veteran Chris Taylor on the voluntary retired list at Triple-A, he had a change of heart. The Angels instead placed him on the injured list with a left forearm fracture. Taylor, 35, was hitting .255 with a .703 OPS at Salt Lake.
UP NEXT
Rangers (TBD) at Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 1-5, 5.07), Sunday, 4:20 p.m., Peacock, 830 AM