Moniak launches critical homer; 'pen comes up clutch

ANAHEIM -- It’s been a trying year for center fielder Mickey Moniak, who's had trouble building on his breakout 2023 campaign.

But Moniak came through in a big way on Wednesday to help the Angels snap a three-game losing streak and avoid a series sweep, as he crushed a three-run homer off former teammate Michael Lorenzen in a 7-2 win over the Rangers at Angel Stadium. It was just the second win in 10 games for the Angels, who were 15-11 in June but are 2-7 in July.

Moniak has been forced into everyday action this year with superstar Mike Trout out with a torn meniscus since late April. He’s had mixed results, being a strong defender but facing inconsistency at the plate. Moniak said his goal is to finish the second half strong and build on his performance.

“Things haven't gone the way I've wanted to up to this point, but it's in the past,” Moniak said. “The only thing I can do is focus on things I can control, like my work, on getting better every day and getting back to the baseball player I know I can be.”

He’s had his moments, including hitting a grand slam against the A’s on June 25, but even that failed to get him going offensively. He hit .150 (6-for-40) over his last 11 games since hitting his first grand slam. Moniak isn’t expected to shoulder as big of a burden for the club in the second half, as Trout remains on track to return in late July.

“He’s just got to find consistency,” manager Ron Washington said. “To have a night like he did tonight, he has to build on that. When you find it, you have to lock it in.”

However, Moniak helped the Angels get out to an early lead against the Rangers after Lorenzen ran into some control problems in the second, walking two batters before giving up a run-scoring single to Zach Neto with a run coming home on an error from right fielder Travis Jankowski. Moniak made Lorenzen pay by smacking a 1-0 fastball at the top of the zone over the right-field fence for his fifth homer of the year.

Moniak, who went 2-for-4, is batting .198/.245/.322 with nine doubles, two triples, 28 RBIs and five stolen bases in 74 games this year after hitting .280/.307/.495 with 14 homers, 21 doubles, 45 RBIs and six stolen bases in 85 games last season. He’s seen a dropoff in his production but has tried to stay positive and keep his above-average defense separate from his offensive scuffles.

“I’m a perfectionist and I know there are people who want me to be better, but I want to be better and there’s no harder critic of myself than me,” Moniak said. “I know I'm better than what I've shown so far this year. I kind of proved that last year. My swing hasn't felt great, but today was a good step in the right direction.”

The four-run inning was key for the Angels, as right-hander Griffin Canning lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks. The club needed a long outing, especially after Davis Daniel went 3 2/3 innings on Monday and Roansy Contreras threw two-plus frames on Tuesday. But the bullpen came up huge, especially in two necessary situations with the bases loaded and one out.

In the fifth, right-hander Hans Crouse was called on. Crouse, a former top prospect with the Rangers, struck out Wyatt Langford and Adolis García to escape the jam. He threw a scoreless sixth to pick up his first career win and has been solid with a 0.84 ERA in 10 2/3 innings this year.

“It’s a really cool feeling having it come at home, having grown up here,” said Crouse, who grew up in Dana Point, Calif. “Having my grandpa, wife and son in the stands makes it even more special. I was just trying to do my job there and minimize damage. It’s just a moment I’ll never forget.”

The Rangers again loaded the bases in the seventh inning, with Langford and García due up. But Hunter Strickland struck out Langford and right-hander José Marte came in and got García to pop out to second to end the inning.

“We were on fumes, but some guys stepped up,” Washington said. "Crouse stepped up, Strickland, after two innings last night, stepped up and Marte did what he did. We put that game away.”