Rengifo homers twice -- once from each side

ANAHEIM -- The emergence of infielder Luis Rengifo has easily been one of the biggest pleasant surprises for the Angels this season.

Rengifo has become one of the club’s most consistent hitters, and he kept that going with two homers in an 8-7 win over the Mariners in the series opener at Angel Stadium on Friday. He became the first Angels player to homer from both sides of the plate since Kendrys Morales did it on July 30, 2012. Chili Davis (six times) and Devon White (twice) are the only other Angels players to accomplish the feat.

It was also the first career multihomer game for Rengifo.

"It feels good,” Rengifo said. “I was just up there and was trying to do my best and that was the result today. It's a big challenge to hit two homers. I just try to fight in every at-bat."

Rengifo, serving as the leadoff hitter, went 3-for-5 with four RBIs to improve to .275/.305/.443 with 13 homers, 22 doubles and 44 RBIs in 109 games this season. He’s also shown versatility, seeing action at shortstop, second base and third base, including starting Friday’s game at shortstop before being moved to second in the seventh inning.

“He’s been good for us all year,” said interim manager Phil Nevin. “He's been getting a chance to play every day. And I really liked the way he's been playing defense. He didn't get any hit to him at short today, but we like to see him out there. He's going to get some more run at short."

Rengifo's turnaround coincidentally began in a doubleheader against Seattle on June 18, as he entered that day hitting just .204 through his first 32 games and was a combined 0-for-13 over his previous five games. But he went 3-for-7 in the doubleheader and has seemingly been on fire ever since.

Rengifo -- who wasn’t called up by the Angels until May 8, having started the season at Triple-A Salt Lake -- has batted .299/.321/.487 with 11 homers, 21 doubles and 37 RBIs in 77 games from June 18 onward, establishing himself as a solid Major League regular.

The 25-year-old has put himself in a good spot to be an everyday player again in 2023 and remains under team control through ‘25. Scoring runs has been an issue for the Angels this year, and he gives them a potential building block for next season.

"He wasn't on the team to start the season, but he's been a centerpiece for us,” said right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who allowed three runs over five innings and picked up the win. “It's a great story, and to see him develop and show up ready to play every day, it's been fun to watch."

Rengifo sparked a rally in the first inning against reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, as he singled to open the inning on a ball that hit off the second-base bag. Rengifo went to second on an error from center fielder Julio Rodríguez, who booted the ball after it hit off the base. After a double from Shohei Ohtani that Jesse Winker misplayed down the left-field line, Taylor Ward gave the Angels the lead with a two-run single.

Rengifo’s first homer came in the third inning on a first-pitch curveball from Ray. It was his eighth homer of the year batting right-handed, which is his natural side. He said his power has started to develop because of his consistent playing time.

"I'm just trying to see the ball good and hit it,” Rengifo said. “I can't control where the ball is going. But I feel good. Nevin and the front office and all the guys have given the opportunity to play every day. I'm just trying to have fun and play hard."

He gave the Angels some much-needed insurance with a three-run blast off right-hander Matthew Festa in the sixth. Rengifo drove an 0-1 fastball over the heart of the plate over the right-field wall to give the Angels a four-run lead. It proved to be pivotal, as Angels relievers were wild late in the game and they were able to just hold onto the victory.

“The last one was really big because it gives our bullpen a little bit of breathing room,” Nevin said. “To get that one was nice, but he’s just been really good for us and coming up in big spots and getting a hit when you need it. I really liked the player, like the kid, what he's been doing every day. And he was really good tonight.”