There wasn't a huge spike in run production, but the change, for Tuesday night, at least, worked out in the Angels' favor.
The Angels desperately need to do something about the recent lack of offense. In the final game of the homestand, Mike Scioscia shook things up a bit, leading to a 4-1 win over Arizona.
Scioscia moved Kole Calhoun to the No. 2 spot for the first time this season, Albert Pujols in the cleanup spot for the first time and Mike Trout in the No. 3 hole for just the fourth time this season.
The results weren't much different from what the Angels had consistently done throughout the season.
Pujols did what Pujols does. The Angels' slugger got the team on the board, and gave them a 2-1 lead, with a two-run home run to center field in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Calhoun, Trout and Pujols went a combined 2-for-10 with two walks on Tuesday night.
As a result, the jury is still out on the club's most recent lineup changes.
"I don't think the new lineup was either here nor there tonight," Scioscia said. "I don't think it had any effect. We had some clutch hits from some guys that are important to us...Big hits from guys that we need. The lineup wasn't a factor tonight. We didn't get much. I don't think we had a leadoff runner on for most of the night and that's a tough way to go. We'll continue to try to move forward and find solutions and just see if we can get a little more pressure on teams."
For Pujols, it was home run No. 19 on the season which moved him into sole possession of first place in the American League.
His teammates continue to marvel at the season he's having.
"It's Albert Pujols what are you going to say?" Garrett Richards said after tossing seven innings of four-hit ball and not allowing an earned run.
Added David Freese, who also hit a home run Tuesday to provide the team with some insurance: "He looks healthy. His legs are powerful."
While his teammates are complimentary and there's even talk of Pujols being named an all-star for the first time as an Angel, he's deaf to the noise, opting instead to focus on trying to help the Angels climb to the top of the American League West prior to the All-Star break.
"As long as I can help my team win that's all that matters," he said.
Whether his contributions continue to come from him being in the cleanup spot or not remain to be seen. Tuesday's sample size of the new lineup, however, is likely to be continued.
