'Johnny the Entertainer' delivers again as Angels score late to win

Published May. 13, 2015 2:40 a.m. ET

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Most times it’s best to sit back and wait for an opportunity to present itself.

On Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies, the opportunity, once again, presented itself for Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella. And, once again, he delivered.

Giavotella was at the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with two on and one out and the game tied 2-2, and drove in the go-ahead run on an RBI single to right field to score Albert Pujols in the Angels 5-2 win.

His late game heroics have developed a nickname inside the Angels clubhouse.

"He's Johnny the Entertainer," pitcher C.J. Wilson said. "He waits until the fans are really, really into it, like the rally monkey, big situation, winning run on base, something like that (to perform and) ...Johnny the Entertainer, definitely, delivered tonight."

His timing couldn't be better. As a result of driving in the go-ahead run Tuesday, Giavotella now has six game-winning RBI on the season, which is second in the American League, trailing only Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners, who has seven game-winners.

In the most pressure packed situations, the Angels' second baseman feels no pressure at all.

"The pressure is on the pitcher in those situations," he said. "I try to get a good pitch to hit and not try to do too much and stick to my strengths. I think it does take some experience (to come through in these situations). I failed many times with guys in scoring position so I've learned the best strategy in those situations is just relax, take a deep breath, and trust in your talents."

Giavotella's heroics were made possible by his teammates getting on base in front of him, including Pujols, who led off the inning with a single.

Then, to the surprise of everyone at Angel Stadium, Pujols got himself into scoring position by swiping second base. A collective gasp followed by overwhelming cheers could be heard throughout the stadium as Pujols got a huge jump and, one stomp after the other, took second without a throw, catching everyone off guard.

For Pujols, it was the 99th stolen base of his career. He's one shy of joining Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as players with at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, and 100 stolen bases.

Reaching 100 steals will be a "great accomplishment," the future Hall-of-Fame inductee.

"(I'll) get 100 (stolen bases) and shut it down for the rest of my career," he joked. "The best thing is about the key situation that I have done it. I don't steal a base just to try to get a base. I try to pick key situation where it can help my ball club to win."

On Tuesday, Pujols was able to find the key situation that set the table for Giavotella to do what he's done all season --“ Entertain.

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