Learning how to win: Pillar walk-off keeps Angels' streak alive

ANAHEIM -- Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar has been in the big leagues for 12 seasons and has seen what it takes to build a winning culture, especially during his time with the Blue Jays.

Toronto was still building around a young core when Pillar broke into the Major Leagues before finally reaching the postseason in 2015 and becoming consistent winners. Pillar sees parallels with the Angels this year and has been impressed with how quickly several youngsters have developed.

He believes the culture improved in June, evident in how they have been playing. Pillar kept it rolling by playing hero in extra innings on Saturday. He delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 10th to lift the Angels to a 6-5 win over the Tigers. It was the sixth straight victory for the Angels, who are 15-10 in June.

“It’s belief,” Pillar said. “It's easy to talk about, ‘let’s go out and win games and win a series.’ But we took care of a team that we felt like we should beat in Oakland and rolled it into this series. You can feel the energy is changing. Instead of talking about maybe going out and hoping we win, I think we're starting to expect that every time we go on the field.”

A night after Logan O’Hoppe came through with a go-ahead, three-run homer, Pillar stepped up when it mattered most. His RBI single came with one out after the Angels had Luis Guillorme drop down a sacrifice bunt to open the inning. Pillar jumped all over a first-pitch fastball from reliever Jason Foley to give the Angels the victory.

It was Pillar's fourth career walk-off plate appearance and his first since a homer on Sept. 7, 2018, with Toronto against Cleveland.

“What they are learning to do is how to win,” manager Ron Washington said. “I told you earlier when we weren’t winning, the losing was teaching us how to win. They’re pulling for each other. They're not quitting and they’re doing what it takes. Again. It was pitching. It was defense and timely hitting. It’s a good formula.”

O’Hoppe came up big with a game-tying solo homer in the eighth inning. It was his 12th of the year and was another big hit for O’Hoppe, who is developing into a leader for the Angels.

But his defensive play in the ninth turned heads on an incredible sidearm throw to second base to get Riley Greene on a critical stolen base attempt. Guillorme also somehow got the tag down despite having to leap for the throw from O’Hoppe.

“That play that O’Hoppe made, it was impossible,” Washington said. “But he took a chance and Guillorme got the tag down.”

Shortstop Zach Neto also made a highlight reel play to end the 10th, and Washington said it saved the Angels' game. Colt Keith hit a ball up the middle that looked like it was going to get through for a go-ahead RBI single with two outs, but Neto played the ball perfectly despite a funky spin that caused it to come back toward him.

Neto said he made the play because of all his hard work on defensive drills with infield coach Ryan Goins and Washington. He said it’s all paying off now as the season progresses.

“We’re holding each other accountable,” Neto said. “And it doesn't matter if you have one year in the big leagues or [12] like KP. We’re just holding each other accountable, having that trust within each other and just being able to go out there and play for each other.”

Pillar has been impressed with young players such as Neto and O’Hoppe and believes they will improve with experience. The Angels have been without key veterans Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon for several months and have had to ask a lot from their inexperienced players this season. But now they are starting to deliver.

“These guys are being asked to do things that normally they wouldn't be asked to do, year one or year two,” Pillar said. “You’re missing the best player in the world and an All-Star. Every time they get on the field, they understand this opportunity to learn.”