Logan O’Hoppe hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning and the Angels beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 Friday night for their season-high fifth straight win.
O’Hoppe’s heroics helped support a great night from the Angels’ bullpen, which gave up only one hit in 6 1/3 innings and retired the last 16 batters they faced.
“Tonight was about the pitching, defense and timely hitting. That’s always a good formula to have and we certainly put it together tonight,” manager Ron Washington said.
American League batting leader Luis Rengifo had two hits, including a two-run homer in the second inning, to raise his average to .315.
Detroit pitcher Kenta Maeda left after taking a liner off his glove hand and stomach during the sixth inning.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he took Maeda out because he was at 87 pitches and Kevin Pillar was the next batter.
Maeda gave up two runs and six hits and struck out four in 5 1/3 innings.
Detroit managed only two hits — a pair of singles — after being held to four Thursday night.
“We get in these stretches, and you have to find a solution rather than letting it drag you down,” Hinch said. “We’re not finding hits. There’s a little bit of everything that creates a poor week or a poor stretch.”
Angels starter Zach Plesac’s night ended after 2 2/3 innings and four straight walks. Luis García (3-0) got the win and Carlos Estévez finished for his 16th save.
“I couldn’t get a grip on the ball. It just kept sliding out,” Plesac said. “I felt good. I was making some good pitches. I just lost my grip after that two-out span.”
Rengifo and Taylor Ward got aboard with one-out singles to left in the eighth inning off Shelby Miller (4-6). After Kevin Pillar struck out, O’Hoppe hit a first-pitch splitter 418 feet over the wall in left field for his 11th home run of the season.
“Before that at-bat, I picture moments like that. I really tried to feel that moment as much as I could. Blanked out and took a swing,” O’Hoppe said.
The Angels got on the scoreboard quickly. After Nolan Schanuel led off with a base hit to center, Rengifo drove a fastball from Maeda over the center-field wall. It was the second straight game the third baseman hit a two-run homer.
Plesac retired the first eight Detroit hitters before things went awry. Ryan Kreidler got aboard with a single to center before Plesac walked four straight Tigers, including Matt Vierling and Canha with the bases loaded, to end his night.
Injury update: Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (left hamstring strain) could face live pitching this weekend with a possible return the week before the All-Star break.
Up next: In a matchup of right-handers, Detroit’s Reese Olson (2-8, 3.35 ERA) and the Angels’ Griffin Canning (3-8, 4.72 ERA) will take the mound Saturday.