FILE PHOTO: Sep 1, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt (8) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
Slugging Angels seeking better outcomes in close contests
HOUSTON — The Angels were in competitive games in all four contests against the Astros, but after dropping the series finale, 8-3, on Monday at Daikin Park, Los Angeles believes it could have had more.
“[That didn’t] feel great, especially when you have opportunities to take the series,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said of the series split. “We played a little better, but we have some things that we need to continue to work on.”
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The Halos’ offense showed signs of improvement over the final three games against the Astros after scoring just 23 runs over a 10-game stretch from Aug. 18-29. In the final three games in Houston, the Angels scratched across 10 runs — with a lot of power.
“We just have to keep emphasizing what we are trying to do,” Montgomery said. “Battle in the at-bat, maybe try to extend some at-bats, too. We know how we’re built, we’ve talked about it all year. We’re built on the home run, but that doesn’t mean you can play solely that way. Guys can extend [at-bats] any way they can. Look to shoot some holes. We had some good ABs, but we didn’t come through.”
