WEST SACRAMENTO — The Angels’ sweep of the Dodgers was a testament to the way their offense has gradually shifted.
The Angels scored 20 runs in the series, but only only four of them scored on homers. The Angels got hits from throughout the lineup, putting together the type of rallies that were so hard to come by for most of the season.
“Instead of (the offense) being clumped together maybe in one or two spots, it ends up happening at any point, versus any pitcher at any time and who they might go to,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “And it gives us the advantage sort of that way.”
The Angels started getting a more balanced offense in early July, shortly after they bottomed out with a nightmarish three-game sweep in Toronto. In that series the Angels were 4 for 30 with runners in scoring position, with four of their eight runs coming on homers.
On July 8, the Angels ranked 28th in the majors with a .228 average and 16th with a .248 average with runners in scoring position. Their overall .700 OPS ranked 21st, and it was only that good because of the homers.
Since July 9, the Angels have hit .247, which ranks 10th in the majors. Their .760 OPS ranks seventh. Their .273 average with runners in scoring position ranks seventh.
What’s happened is mostly a function of getting more productive hitters at the bottom of the lineup.
Infielder Luis Rengifo has been on a hot streak for two months. Third baseman Yoán Moncada came off the injured list on July 8. Second baseman Christian Moore came off the injured list on Aug. 3.
Bryce Teodosio joined the lineup as the everyday center fielder and No. 9 hitter on Aug. 2. Teodosio has been a pleasant surprise with a .357 average and .879 OPS.
“He’s exceeded everything offensively,” Montgomery said. “And now you’re turning it over to (Zach) Neto and (Nolan Schanuel) and Mike (Trout) and (Taylor) Ward. It’s nice to get good production from the bottom.”
Since Aug. 3 – the day Moore returned – the Angels have scored 57 runs in 10 games, with a .793 OPS.
The pitching, however, hasn’t kept up with the offensive improvement. Their ERA was 4.59 on July 8, and it’s been 4.80 since. They’ve had seven blown saves in those 30 games, although they only lost three of those games.
SOLER UPDATE
Jorge Soler, who has been out with back tightness, is still not doing any baseball activity.
“There’s continual testing,” Montgomery said. We’re working through the different options and we’re just going to see what they show and what the plan of attack will be once we get a more clear picture.”
Soler has been out for about three weeks. He acknowledged that playing so much outfield was tough on him physically. Trout is still limited to DH, so there’s no obvious way to get Soler in the lineup when he does come back.
NOTES
Right-hander Robert Stephenson (bicep inflammation) gave up a two-run homer in his one inning of work in his rehab assignment on Thursday night at Triple-A. Montgomery said he was still satisfied that Stephenson got through the adrenaline of a game with no issues. He is scheduled to make at least one more appearance, on Sunday. “I don’t think there’s any harm in him getting a little bit more if that’s the route we choose,” Montgomery said. “I don’t make the call on that, but there’s no reason to rush it, because I don’t want to give back the gains that we got by rushing.” …
The grounds crew at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento replaced the home plate area since the Angels were here in May. Other players complained about the surfaces. The infield grass is still “a little bumpy,” Montgomery said.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 2-7, 4.63 ERA) at Athletics (RHP Luis Morales, 0-0, 1.93 ERA), Saturday, 7:05 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM