LOS ANGELES — Nolan Schanuel insists on being as low maintenance as possible, although if there is one thing he insists on, it’s that pitches out over the plate go back in the direction where they came from.
Schanuel’s up-the-middle hitting style was in full effect Friday when his two-run single to center field in the ninth inning gave the Angels some much-needed insurance in a series-opening victory over the Dodgers.
For the Angels’ contact-hitter supreme, the scenario evolved just as he likes it. Matthew Lugo singled to lead off the ninth and when the lineup turned over, Zach Neto doubled to put runners on second and third.
Schanuel wasted no time, ripping a first-pitch changeup into center for a 6-2 lead.
As part of his easy-going style, Schanuel says he has no preference when it comes to a spot in the lineup. He has hit both second and sixth this season. But when pressed on the subject, he admits that second fiddle would be first choice.
“With Neto in front, it’s a lot more fun,” Schanuel admitted. “It’s exciting to watch his at-bats and then being able to hit after him is awesome. You’re given RBI opportunities, or possibly moving him first to third on singles helps out whoever is behind me. … I’m really liking the two-hole right now, but I like the six hole (too).”
Since Neto moved into the leadoff spot and Schanuel was put back in the No. 2 spot for an April 29 game against the Seattle Mariners, the duo has .324 and .381 on-base percentages, respectively.
In 20 games as a No. 2 hitter before Saturday, Schanuel was batting .293 with a .375 on-base percentage.
The Angels lost four consecutive games immediately after the lineup change was made but they were 6-6 since before Saturday, as the Angels try to get their footing without Mike Trout in the lineup.
Manager Ron Washington has witnessed growth from both players.
“Well, for us it’s been working,” Washington said. “Those are the two guys who have been giving us the greatest at-bats so far. It’s been working, so I’m loving it.”
Now comes the fine line of having Schanuel do what he does best by making contact and going up the middle, while developing power worthy of a corner infielder. He has just two home runs this season and 16 in his first 217 games with the club.
After hitting 13 home runs last season, he is on pace for just eight this season. Washington would prefer that Schanuel stays with his contact tendencies and will take the home runs if and when they come.
“Don’t forget now, he’s only in his second (full) year; he’s still learning,” Washington said. “And sometimes when he does things that make him feel mighty, he goes to the plate trying to be mighty. It will take some time to fully learn who he is and what he is capable of doing.”
Schanuel might be further along the learning curve than Washington realizes. His key single up the middle Friday is one example as he entered Saturday with four multi-hit games over his last eight contests, while batting .345 in the stretch.
“I’m staying with the process,” Schanuel said. “There have been games where I’ve crushed the ball and gotten out four times. It’s just how baseball works. I’ve set my sights more middle of the field, left-center, right-right center and stopped trying to pull the ball and that’s helped a lot.”
ALSO
Outfielder Gustavo Campero (ankle) is eligible to come off the injured list but has just progressed to using the treadmill in his recovery. … One day after he appeared to aggravate his injured thumb with a swing in the ninth inning, switch-hitting third baseman Yoan Moncada was out of the lineup against Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Moncada has never faced the Dodgers’ veteran. … With Moncada out, Kevin Newman started his third game at third base. It was just his 10th game started this season.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Yusei Kikuchi, 0-4, 3.72 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Tony Gonsolin, 2-0, 2.81 ERA), Sunday, 1:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, FanDuel Sports Network, 570 AM, 830 AM
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