HOUSTON – When the Angels arrived to face the Houston Astros, the plan from Manager Ron Washington was for young third baseman Eric Wagaman – promoted to the Major Leagues earlier this month – to sit out at least one game of this weekend series.
But then Wagaman committed three errors in the first four innings of a series-opening loss.
When that happened, Washington changed course, because he didn’t want his recent call-up to dwell on those mistakes. The 27-year-old rewarded his manager for that choice by tying his career-high with three hits in Friday’s game, and that helped earn him two more starts on Saturday and Sunday.
“I wanted to let him know that we have confidence in him,” said Washington, who has increasingly turned to young players as an underwhelming season (62-93) nears its conclusion. Understandably, that reduces the incentive for injured veterans to return.
“Then, he went out there and did a great job,” Washington added. “He’s a young kid. I just didn’t want his head to start spinning.”
For Wagaman, it was a gesture that resonated.
“It means a lot,” he said. “After those couple errors, I came down into the tunnel for a second, and he was like ‘Wherever you’re going right now, just stay out of your own head.’ That gave me a lot of confidence, for sure. He just wants me to go out there and play the game.”
On Saturday, Wagaman showed defensive improvement by throwing out a runner at home plate.
“I didn’t want to pull him after that night with the three errors, because I didn’t want him to think it was because of that,” Washington said. “Ryan [Goins, infield coach] took good time with him and corrected some things, and our hope is that he can build on it and keep going. I told him, ‘As long as you play this game, what happened that night will happen again.’ Maybe not three times, but it’ll happen again.”
As a hitter, Wagaman entered Sunday hitting .256 with a .744 OPS, and he says improved mechanics and confidence are a reason for his growth. After going 0-for-8 in his first three games after a Sept. 10 promotion, he’s 11-for-35 (.314 average, .914 OPS) over his last eight.
“It was awesome,” Washington said of Wagaman’s recovery. “That’s what he’s supposed to do.”
‘RELENTLESS’ ASTROS
The Angels haven’t fared well against the Astros (85-70) in September. Entering Sunday, they were 0-6 against Houston over the past nine days. In comments before Sunday’s finale at Minute Maid Park, Washington tipped his cap to the hosts, who are seeking their fourth straight AL West title and currently lead the division by five games with seven left.
“When you’re a championship club like they are, they usually peak at this time,” Washington said. “This is when the best teams play their best baseball, and Houston is playing their best baseball. It’s hard to get to that lineup. I see signs around here that say relentless [Houston’s branding slogan for 2024]. It’s relentless, it really is.”
One reason is the recent addition of star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who missed over three months with a shin fracture before returning on Sept. 6. In Friday and Saturday’s wins, Tucker went 8-of-9 with two home runs.
“We all know who Tucker is,” Washington said. “He’s one of the relentless guys in that lineup, and what he did against us, I’ve seen him do it against other people. That lineup is tough.”
NOTES
The hitting streak for first baseman Nolan Schanuel is at a career-high 12 games after a double in Saturday’s loss. It’s the third-longest active streak in the Majors and the third-most for an Angel this season (Kevin Piller and Taylor Ward each hit 14). Over that span. Schanuel is hitting 16-of-45 (.356) with three extra-base hits and eight RBIs. …
Outfielder Jordyn Adams did not start for a third consecutive game due to right knee soreness. Washington said he remains day-to-day. …
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With Zach Neto and Logan O’Hoppe both reaching 20 home runs, it’s the first time in Angels history for a duo in their age-24 season or younger to both hit 20 blasts in a season. The only other pair of 24-and-under teammates with 20+ homers this season are Baltimore’s Colton Cowser and Gunnar Henderson. …
Outfielder Taylor Ward has reached base safely in 28 of his last 30 games. Since Aug. 20, Ward ranks third in the American League with a .614 slugging percentage and fourth with a .999 OPS.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP Jack Kochanowicz, 2-5, 4.56 ERA) at White Sox (RHP Jonathan Cannon, 4-10, 4.61 ERA), Tuesday, 4:40 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM