OC Register: Andrew Heaney takes a loss, but continues as the Angels’ most durable starter

[AngelsWin.com]

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  The Angels’ David Fletcher reaches second safely on a double as Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor tries to make the tag during the first inning of Tuesday’s game in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout is hit by a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers starting pitcher Mike Minor (36) works the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate during the second inning of Tuesday’s game against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout winces as he takes his base after being hit by a pitch in the first inning in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ David Fletcher (6) is greeted at the dugout by Taylor Ward after scoring on a ground out by Andrelton Simmons in the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Texas Rangers’ Elvis Andrus (1) connects for a home run in the fourth inning in a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jabari Blash (54) watches the home run ball by Texas Rangers’ Elvis Andrus in the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (28) beats Texas Rangers’ Nomar Mazara (30) to the bag for the out in the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers hits a homerun against the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels steps off the mound after giving up a home run against Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers the in the fourth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Michael Hermosillo #59 of the Los Angeles Angels makes the out against Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers in the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) gets the throw late as Los Angeles Angels’ Andrelton Simmons (2) steals second in the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  The Rangers’ Nomar Mazara hits a two-run double during the fifth inning of Tuesday’s game against the Angels in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  Texas Rangers’ Adrian Beltre (29) greets Rougned Odor (12) and Elvis Andrus (1) who scored on a double by Nomar Mazara in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) connects for a home run in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a home run against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels runs the bases after hitting a homerun against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with Mike Trout #27 after hitting a homerun against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates a homerun against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Junichi Tazawa #47 of the Los Angeles Angels throws against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 04: Junichi Tazawa #47 of the Los Angeles Angels throws against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Andrew Heaney delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

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ARLINGTON, Texas — In a starting rotation ripped apart by injuries, Andrew Heaney has become the rock.

Heaney made his team-leading 26th start of the season on Tuesday night, continuing a stretch that has seen him take every turn since his season debut on April 13.

Heaney gave up four runs, too much on a night the Angels offense was highlighted by Shohei Ohtani’s first homer against a left-handed pitcher, and the Angels lost 4-2 to the Texas Rangers.

Heaney missed his location on a few critical pitches and that cost him. Still, he got through six innings, lifting his season total to 158. He’s on pace to reach 175 to 180.

That would be a valuable contribution to a team that has had to scrounge for 14 starters this year.

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None have been active every day of the season, but Heaney has come the closest. He began the season on the disabled list with elbow inflammation, but it was so minor he only took a few days off from throwing. Since then, he’s been healthy, and he’s pitched to a 4.16 ERA.

A 27-year-old who is under control to the Angels for three more seasons, Heaney has shown signs that he can be even better, most recently a victory over the Astros and Justin Verlander in Houston.

“Andrew has worked extremely hard to get to this point,” Manager Mike Scioscia said before the game. “He feels really good about where his game is. Hopefully, he’ll maintain it for many years, because you’re seeing a pitcher that is very talented. When he goes out there against some really big lineups and pitches well, he’s got a chance to be a front-line starter. Hopefully, he’s going to evolve into that.”

Also encouraging for Heaney is that he’s seemingly gotten stronger late in the season.

On Tuesday night his average fastball was 93.1 mph, which was his second best of the season. His best was his last start, when he averaged 93.2 mph.

Included in Tuesday’s game was his hardest single pitch of the year, a 95.7 mph heater he used to get Joey Gallo on a called third strike in the second inning.

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Scioscia commented last week that it seemed Heaney had gotten a “second wind” after hitting a rough patch in early August.

On Tuesday night, he was burned by a brief rough stretch in the fourth and fifth innings. He left a fastball over the middle that Elvis Andrus hit out to lead off the fourth. Two batters later, Adrian Beltre homered on a fastball on the inside corner. Nomar Mazara drove in two when he hit a hanging curve for a double in the fifth.

That was all Heaney allowed, but the Angels offense couldn’t manage much against Texas lefty Mike Minor.

They scored one in the first and one in the sixth, when Ohtani blasted a hanging slider over the right-field fence, his 16th homer of the season.

Ohtani had not played much against left-handed pitchers in the first seven weeks after coming off the disabled list, but Tuesday marked his second straight start against a lefty, with three games off in between to pitch. With Albert Pujols now out for the season after having surgery, the DH spot is more flexible for Scioscia, so Ohtani has gotten more opportunities.

More to come on this story.

That left on left power!
Ohtani's home run cuts the lead in half!
6⃣ Rangers 4, #Angels 2. pic.twitter.com/t5UZbPWcgL

— Angels (@Angels) September 5, 2018

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[Angel Oracle]

Up to 159 innings, will they think of shutting him down in a couple of weeks?   Or limit his pitches for the rest of the 2018 season?

He's already nearing a career high in innings pitched at all levels (184 in 2015).   That was of course followed by just 55 innings total in 2016-2017.   

Good news is, his smooth delivery should help to preserve his arm longer.