'That's why we do it': O'Hoppe leads Angels in late-inning win

ANAHEIM -- Catcher Logan O'Hoppe has already developed into one of the Angels’ clubhouse leaders because of how he carries himself and the work and preparation he puts in with pitchers.

But his offense shined on Friday, as he smacked a three-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Angels to a 5-2 win over the Tigers at Angel Stadium. It gave the Angels their first five-game winning streak since June 4-9, 2023, while they improved to 14-10 in June.

“That’s why we do it,” O’Hoppe said. “I picture moments like that in the offseason. That’s what I miss the most. And so I really tried to be where my feet were and feel that moment as much as I could. And I blanked out and took a swing."

With two runners on and two outs, O’Hoppe stepped up to the plate against right-hander Shelby Miller and ambushed him with a three-run blast on a first-pitch fastball that was middle-in. It was the 11th homer of the year for O’Hoppe and came at a big moment.

Manager Ron Washington has been impressed by O’Hoppe and how he’s improved both behind and at the plate. O'Hoppe, 24, is hitting .270/.322/.465 with 11 homers, 12 doubles and 37 RBIs in 69 games.

He's been even better in June, batting .309/.351/.574 with four homers, six doubles and 11 RBIs in 20 games. And he elevates his game in key situations, as he's hitting .283/.371/.566 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 53 plate appearances with runners in scoring position.

“What he’s been doing, I heard he was doing last year before he got hurt, so y'all shouldn't be surprised,” Washington said. “I'm learning about him every day he’s out there and I'm very impressed with the way he’s handled himself. He seems to be clutch, but you just got to wait until he’s get some more time on his belt before we named him Mr. Clutch.”

Third baseman Luis Rengifo, who hit a two-run blast in the first off Kenta Maeda, sparked the rally with a two-out single that he blooped into left field. Rengifo went 2-for-4 and leads the American League with a .315 average.

“There’s not a pitch a pitcher can throw that Rengifo doesn’t think he can hit,” Washington said. “He barreled one up and then he took a good swing at that ball even though the pitcher beat him on the pitch and it fell in. But only because he got a good swing off on it.”

O’Hoppe also had to navigate the pitching staff and handle five relievers after right-hander Zach Plesac lasted just 2 2/3 innings because of losing control in the third. Plesac walked four straight batters after a two-out single, with only three of his 19 pitches going for strikes.

It tied the game and that was it from Plesac, who was replaced by José Marte, who got out of the jam. Plesac said he had trouble gripping his pitches but was thankful the bullpen bailed him out.

He’s posted an 8.25 ERA in three starts and his spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy with right-hander José Soriano due to return from his abdominal infection next week in Oakland. Right-hander Davis Daniel will also get another start after throwing eight scoreless innings in his first career start against Detroit on Friday. Right-hander Roansy Contreras gave up one run over three innings in his first start of the year on Thursday against the A’s.

“I couldn’t get a grip and it just seemed like I was squeezing it tight but it kept slipping out,” Plesac said. “But you have to give it to the bullpen. Marte getting me out of that jam. The bullpen has been on fire recently.”

Marte began an impressive run for the relievers, as he combined with Matt Moore, Hunter Strickland, Luis García and Carlos Estévez to throw 6 1/3 scoreless innings on just one hit, which came in the third inning. It was an impressive showing. However, to ease the burden, the Halso could use a longer start from right-hander Griffin Canning on Saturday

“It was unbelievable,” O’Hoppe said. “I’ve never pitched before but I’m sure that’s really hard to do on short notice like that. They did a great job. They didn't get in a lot of traffic, but when they did, they went pitch by pitch. It was pretty cool.”