HOUSTON — A lack of run support has become an increasing problem for the Angels, but left fielder Taylor Ward isn’t among the reasons why.
In Thursday night’s loss to the Houston Astros, their lone run came off Ward’s first-inning home run. It was Ward’s fifth leadoff blast of 2024 (all of them coming in the past 19 games), tying him for the fifth-most in MLB.
On a 3-and-2 count, Ward crushed Yushi Kikuchi’s 95-mile-per-hour fastball 416 feet to left field, where it crashed into Minute Maid Park’s brick façade above the seats.
Leadoff HOMERS look good on WARDY @Angels l #RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/1qqyK1kRrt
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) September 20, 2024
“When you get down to two strikes, you battle, and you’re open to hitting anything,” Ward said. “I was just looking for something in the middle, and it started there. Maybe it was a little down, but I put a good swing on it, and I didn’t miss.”
Entering September, the 30-year-old was having an underwhelming year. But Ward has been much improved of late, as evidenced by his .323 average and 1.118 OPS in September. That’s boosted his season-long numbers to a healthier .248 average and .762 OPS.
“It’s mechanics, 100 percent,” Ward said of his turnaround. “When your mechanics get off, nothing matters. You can see a beach ball, and you could still roll it over. But if your mechanics are good, you’ve got a good, fighting chance.”
“I basically cleaned up my lower half. It’s more deliberate. I had a swinging leg kick, early on, and it threw me off. But I’ve been more deliberate with that and having a better-quality hip load. I’ve also been landing more 50-50, in a good hitting position, instead of being back.”
Those September numbers include seven homers, with the latest giving Ward 25 this season. He’s just the ninth left fielder to post that with the Angels, and the first since 2018. Ward, who said 25 blasts was a personal goal, joins Garret Anderson and Darin Erstad as the only left fielders developed entirely within the Angels’ system to accomplish that feat.
“My goal was 30, initially, but having three or four bad months … I just didn’t do what I was supposed to do,” he said. “But now knowing these cues and mechanics, and taking that into the offseason, I hope to exceed 30 next year.”
For Manager Ron Washington, it brings hope as the Angels (62-91) shift their focus to 2025.
“He may be catching his second wind,” Washington said. “Taylor is a battler. In baseball, you play six months, you’re going to have ups and downs, and he’s finally putting it back together here in September. We’re looking for him to continue that.”
It’s worth noting that Ward’s best production has come at leadoff, where he’s batting .294 with a .941 OPS in 126 at-bats.
“He did tell me he loves hitting in that first hole,” Washington said.
PILLER ACTIVATED, MONIAK CLOSER
Outfielder Kevin Pillar (left thumb sprain) hit off a high-velocity pitching machine on Thursday and participated in fielding drills, and it went well enough that he was activated Friday. To make room, infielder Charles Leblanc was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Pillar was initially slated as a reserve, though he was a late replacement in the Angels’ lineup for Jordyn Adams, who was scratched with right knee soreness.
Outfielder Mickey Moniak hasn’t started since bruising his left hand last Sunday on a hit-by-pitch, though he remains on the active roster.
“Yesterday, Pillar did some serious swinging, and he’s ready to go,” Washington said. “Today, Moniak will do some serious swinging, and if he’s ready, then both will be good by tomorrow. It’s a good thing to get those two guys back, so we can get more experience in that lineup.”
ADMIRING OHTANI
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, who played his first six seasons with the Angels, made history Thursday by becoming the first-ever MLB player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season.
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Prior to Friday’s game, Washington was non-committal when asked where he would rank a 30-year-old Ohtani among the game’s all-time greats, and if he’s already done enough to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” said Washington, who has worked in MLB for more than 50 years. “He’s doing some amazing things, but I think we need to let his career develop and continue. When he gets to the end of his career, then we can get into those kinds of matchups.”
NOTES
First baseman Nolan Schanuel has hit safely in 10 consecutive games, matching his career-long hit streak. Entering Friday, he was 14 for 36 (.389) during that streak. …
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe was out of Friday’s lineup, with Matt Thaiss getting the start. Washington said it was a planned off day, adding that his talented 24-year-old catcher has had some issues with fatigue and nagging knee pain late in the season.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 4-7, 6.05 ERA) at Astros (RHP Ronel Blanco, 11-6, 2.88 ERA), Saturday, 4:10 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM