ANAHEIM -- Before Saturday night's 9-0 win over Kansas City, Cameron Maybin took a moment to himself and knelt down in the shadow cast over left field.
"I pray before every game," Maybin said. "That's all it is."
Perhaps his performance Saturday then was divinely influenced. Maybin went 2-for-4, with a leadoff homer -- the fourth leadoff jack of his career -- along with a double and his American League-leading 21st stolen base.
"It's always good to start off a game like that," Maybin said. "Any time I can get on base, good things happen."
Saturday marked the 22nd straight game the outfielder has reached base safely. He's raised his batting average 53 points (from .214 to .267) over that span.
"Cam's been such a spark plug for us," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "After he got his feet on the ground, probably the first 30 games, in the first month of the season or so, he's settled in, especially moving to the leadoff hole."
Maybin has patrolled center field with Michael Trout nursing a torn UCL in his left thumb. The veteran's presence has been monumental to the club, as he boasts the Angels' third-highest Wins Above Replacement at 1.9, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

"He keeps going," Scioscia said. "He's been as good as anybody in baseball."
Maybin said he's simply trying to do his best to serve as an offensive catalyst for the team.
"I'm just trying to make something happen," he said. "Not trying to do too much, taking what they give me. Having teammates to drive me in and pick me up is always fun."