Mickey Moniak hit a key double in the sixth inning, and Logan O’Hoppe ended his long hitless streak with a game-tying homer in the fourth as the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Friday night. This win stopped the Angels’ three-game losing streak.
Moniak, who had struggled earlier in the homestand with just one hit in eleven at-bats, came close to hitting a home run when he smacked a curveball from Pierce Johnson off the right-field wall. This hit brought in Nolan Schanuel, who had walked earlier in the inning.
“Every time they get a ball close to him he does some damage,” said Angels manager Ron Washington. “We needed what he gave us tonight. Both teams were stretching to score runs and we scored more than them.”
Brock Burke, the third of six Angels pitchers, earned the win by pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Ben Joyce recorded five outs to get his second save.
“We had to piece that together, especially after (starting pitcher José) Soriano ran out of gas,” Washington said. “Everyone came in and did a good job. We needed the bullpen to step up and they did.”
The Braves had eight hits and seven walks but failed to get the key hit needed after the fourth inning. They left 11 runners on base and were 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
“We had a lot of opportunities. Just couldn’t get a big hit,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “When you’re having trouble scoring runs, you hope someone gets a big hit and relaxes everyone. But we’ve had a hard time doing that.”
Spencer Schwellenbach, who pitched five-plus innings, gave up three runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out eight batters, reaching a total of 85 strikeouts for the season, the highest by a Braves pitcher in their first 13 games of the season.
O’Hoppe’s game-tying homer in the fourth was his 17th of the season, placing him third among major league catchers.
“I felt like a lot of weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s been a tough week, but it’s not over yet. It’s a good sign and I feel like I have something to latch onto and build off,” O’Hoppe said.
