Mickey Moniak led off the Twins with a triple and a house run

ANAHEIM — When the Angels referred to as up outfielder Mickey Moniak on Could 12, they hoped he would spark after an encouraging spring coaching displaying at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Moniak did precisely that and overcame it once more, one homer wanting the cycle and smacking a house run up the center to guide the Angels to a 5-4 win over the Twins within the sequence opener on Friday at Angel Stadium. . Moniak hit a triple within the eighth inning and caught fireplace on the plate after being referred to as up, hitting .474 (9-for-19) with two homers, three RBI and two stolen bases in six video games.

“It feels superb,” Moniak mentioned. I feel the final word purpose is to be right here and assist the group win. And I really feel like I used to be in a position to do this final week by getting up right here. And simply deal with one step at a time.

Moniak, the No. 1 general decide within the 2016 draft, was to present common outfielders Mike Trout, Hunter Renfro and Taylor Ward some relaxation in entrance of the Angels’ lengthy right-handed beginning pitcher. Trout was held out of the lineup on Friday, relegating Moniak because the starter in middle area and the membership’s chief in hits.

Moniak as soon as once more took benefit of his sturdy type to impress supervisor Phil Nevin, who was in the identical place as a participant. organizations earlier than discovering his footing usually with the Padres. Moniak went via some struggles and accidents with the Phillies group earlier than being acquired by the Angels on the Noah Syndergaard commerce deadline final 12 months.

“He did every thing we requested,” Nevin mentioned. “After a fantastic spring after spring coaching, he got here down with a fantastic perspective. I knew he was dissatisfied, however he stored his head up. He labored laborious for a few month in Salt Lake and acquired a possibility and rolled up his sleeves and got here operating.

Ward, who hit .308 with eight homers and 23 RBI in 33 video games with Triple-A Salt Lake, hit right-hander Joe Ryan with a single earlier than doubling within the third to arrange a sacrifice fly that gave the Angels an early lead.

The Angels tacked on two extra runs within the third, however lefty Reid Detmers could not maintain onto the lead regardless of a career-high 12 strikeouts and a no-hitter going into the sixth inning. The Twins rallied for 3 runs within the sixth and took the lead on Willie Castro’s solo homer off lefty Tucker Davidson within the seventh.

However Moniak robbed Michael A. Taylor of a homer in middle area to stop Minnesota from including one other run. It was the primary residence run of Moniak’s profession, mentioned outfield coach Damon Mashorne, who helped together with his defensive work.

“I prefer to delight myself on each side of the ball,” Moniak mentioned. “That is proper there, a number of work with the mash and a number of refining. I prefer to delight myself on being a very good outdoorsman and it is enjoyable simply to have the ability to see the fruits of my labor.

Moniak then helped the Angels mount a comeback within the backside half of the sport, when he tripled off reliever Griffin Jacks and scored Zach Neto. Moniak ended up being thrown residence on Ward’s groundout, however after Shohei Ohtani walked, Renfro hit his third of the night time to convey residence the go-ahead run.

Moniak, who grew up north of San Diego, mentioned he was thrilled to play such a key function within the win and had about 15-20 members of the family and pals on the sport, his first residence sport since being referred to as up this season. .

“It is particular,” Moniak mentioned. “My profession, if you happen to look again, was a whirlwind. There have been many ups and downs. And to be wholesome, to contribute to this group and to work persistently since spring coaching, I feel that is an indication of a number of laborious work and a number of time to strive. to be higher”