ANAHEIM -- It was a whirlwind of a weekend for the Angels, who saw general manager Perry Minasian dismissed shortly before Friday’s series opener against the Athletics, with longtime former Cardinals executive John Mozeliak brought in as a consultant/interim GM.
The Angels dropped the first game of the series, but bounced back to take the next two, including lefty Sam Aldegheri throwing five strong innings, Josh Lowe hitting his first career grand slam and Samy Natera Jr. recording the final four outs to get his first career save in a 4-1 win on Sunday at Angel Stadium. Manager Kurt Suzuki indicated he’s been proud of the way his club has remained focused despite the change in organizational leadership.
“Obviously, it was a shock to everybody, no mystery, but like we talked about in the clubhouse, we’re professionals here,” Suzuki said. “We have to prepare and do a job, and that’s what we’re doing.”
These were also important showings for Aldegheri, Lowe and Natera personally. Aldegheri is trying to maintain his role in the rotation. Lowe is doing his best to make an impression in the outfield after being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday. Natera is attempting to make his mark in the bullpen. In somewhat of a surprising move, Lowe was kept on the roster when Jose Siri was reinstated from the paternity list, as youngster Christian Moore was optioned to Triple-A instead.
Aldegheri, who recently graduated from prospect status, was coming off two rough outings, as he gave up six runs over three innings against the D-backs on June 17 before surrendering five runs over 4 2/3 frames against the Orioles on Monday. But he bounced back with five solid innings against the A’s, allowing one run on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts.
“I was working on some stuff on my mechanics during the last week,” Aldegheri said. “And today I need a start to redeem myself after the last two, and I did it.”
It came at an opportune time for Aldgeheri, especially with right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (low back tightness) starting his rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday. Rodriguez might need just one start before rejoining the rotation, and he could take a spot from either Aldegheri or fellow rookie Ryan Johnson, who is coming off an impressive showing against Baltimore and starts Monday against the Mariners.
“I thought he pitched well today,” Suzuki said. “He really moved the fastball around and got fastballs in to righties, which obviously made the changeup better. I think he dropped some curveballs in early for strikes and executed with two strikes, so I thought he pitched well.”
Lowe, meanwhile, has looked much better at the plate over the last four games since his return after he was optioned on May 22 because of his offensive struggles. He slashed .184/.226/.320 through his first 45 games, but has hit .417 (5-for-12) since getting called back up.
He had the biggest swing of the game in the series finale, crushing a grand slam off right-hander Aaron Civale in the second inning. He smacked a 1-2 cutter over the right-field fence for his sixth homer of the year and his first since May 20. It gave the Angels an early four-run cushion they wouldn’t relinquish.
Lowe, acquired in a three-team trade with the Rays in the offseason, has been starting in center over Siri in recent days with superstar Mike Trout on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. And he could find more playing time if he continues to swing that bat as he has over the last five days.
“I’m just continuing to do what I was working on in Salt Lake,” Lowe said. “And for the most part, it's just swinging at better pitches and being ready to hit.”
Natera also came through in a key moment, as he was brought in to face slugger Nick Kurtz with two on and two outs in the eighth. He got him to hit a towering flyout to center to escape the jam, then came back out for the ninth and was able to register his first save.
He’s posted a 0.96 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings to start his career and is continuing to pitch in high-leverage roles.
“Just super grateful for the opportunity to be out there and close it out,” Natera said. “I was trusting what I got. Never been in that spot before, so new for me, but learned from and got comfortable later on.”