SAN FRANCISCO — The Los Angeles Angels’ offense wasn’t as fruitful on Saturday as it was during Friday night’s win over the San Francisco Giants.
However, stout pitching, a pair of home runs from center fielder Mickey Moniak and catcher Logan O’Hoppe, and a late RBI single courtesy of third baseman Luis Rengifo got the job done in the second matchup.
The Angels (28-42) clinched the series victory following a 4-3 result at Oracle Park. Los Angeles found itself quickly down 2-0 in the first inning, as center fielder Heliot Ramos — who drove in all three of the Giants’ (34-37) runs in the game — sent a two-run round-tripper to left center field.
Patrick Sandoval (2-8) started on the mound for the Angels, finding a rhythm as the game progressed. The 27-year-old southpaw pitched five innings with three earned runs on eight hits, two walks and five strikeouts.
“[Sandoval] left a couple of pitches up that I knew he wanted back,” manager Ron Washington said postgame. “I really thought he was getting a little upset and started competing hard.”
Moniak cut the two-run deficit in half in the second inning, smoking a 423-foot homer to center off Giants starter Keaton Winn (3-7). The solo blast was his first four-bagger since May 3 and his fourth extra-base hit of the series thus far, extending his hitting streak to seven games.
Ramos extended San Francisco’s lead back to two in the fifth inning, driving in catcher Curt Casali. Washington then turned to the bullpen, which held the Giants scoreless the rest of the way.
In the sixth inning, O’Hoppe changed the course of the game with one swing. On a 2-1 count, the 24-year-old crushed a sinker 467 feet to left center field and into the stands, allowing him and designated hitter Taylor Ward to cross the plate.
“I knew it was gone, but I had no idea how far it went,” said O’Hoppe.
The home run’s distance is tied for the fourth-longest in MLB this season and leveled the game at three runs apiece.
But the Halos weren’t done. One inning later, first baseman Nolan Schanuel — who had walked and stolen the first base of his career, then advanced to third on an off-line throw — was batted home by Rengifo, giving Los Angeles a 4-3 advantage.
Closer Carlos Estévez earned his 12th save of the season and second of the series, striking out two Giants in the ninth.
Lefty pitcher Matt Moore (3-2) earned the win for the Angels, as he pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Giants reliever Ryan Walker (4-3) was credited with the loss, since he gave up Rengifo’s go-ahead single.
The series win is the Halos’ first since sweeping the Padres earlier in June.
Los Angeles will go for the sweep on Sunday, which would be its third of the season. The Father’s Day bout will begin at 1:05 p.m. and righty Ben Joyce (0-0) will take the hill first for the Angels and will face southpaw hurler Erik Miller (1-2) at Oracle Park.