Angels learn from Andrew Heaney’s failure and Chris Rodriguez’s success in loss

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  • The Angels’ Albert Pujols slaps hands with third base coach Brian Butterfield as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of Friday’s 12-8 loss to the White Sox at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (28) throws during the first inning of an MLB baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) throws to second to out Chicago White Sox’s Nick Madrigal during the third inning of an MLB baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws during the first inning of an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs to first after hitting a triple in the first inning of an MLB baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) triples during the first inning of an MLB baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles Angels third base coach Brian Butterfield (55) applauds and Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (10) watches the ball. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) waves as he walks to the dugout after scoring off of a single hit by Mike Trout during the first inning of an MLB baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • A fan salutes as the national anthem plays before an MLB baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Chicago White Sox’s Jose Abreu (79) hits a grand slam during the third inning of an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Yermin Mercedes, Tim Anderson, and Luis Robert also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox hits a grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox rounds the bases after his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his grand slam home run with third base coach Joe McEwing #47 against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his grand slam home run with Yermin Mercedes #73, Luis Robert #88, and Tim Anderson #7 against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Chicago White Sox’s Jose Abreu (79) high-fives Yermin Mercedes (73) after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Mercedes, Tim Anderson, and Luis Robert (88) also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his grand slam home run with Yoan Moncada #10, Yermin Mercedes #73, Luis Robert #88, and Tim Anderson #7 against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols (5) hits a home run during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Mike Trout and Justin Upton also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on after hitting a three run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on after hitting a three run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert (88) watches as a ball hit by Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols (5) flies over the fence for a home run during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout and Justin Upton also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates a three run home run by Albert Pujols #5 against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Albert Pujols (5) steps on the plate after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Mike Trout and Justin Upton also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Yasmani Grandal #24 and Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox celebrate runs scored against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Adam Eaton #12 of the Chicago White Sox slides into home plate against Max Stassi #33 of the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on from the mound against the Chicago White Sox during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels gives the ball to manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney gives the ball to Manager Joe Maddon during the fourth inning of Friday’s game against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium. Heaney allowed seven runs (all earned) in his three-plus innings. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels shortstop Jose Iglesias (4) avoids a tag attempt by Chicago White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal (24) during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Iglesias was out at first. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Los Angeles Angels hits the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Anthony Rendon (6) triples during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. He reached third on a fielding error by Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (12). (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Los Angeles Angels hits the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (12) fails to catch a fly ball hit by Los Angeles Angels’ Anthony Rendon during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. Rendon reached third on Eaton’s error. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Chicago White Sox’s Adam Eaton (12) avoids a tag attempt by Los Angeles Angels catcher Max Stassi (33) for a score during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • A Los Angeles Angels fan holds up an oversized baseball mitt before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Iglesias #4 of the Los Angeles Angels breaks his bat against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Jose Iglesias #4 of the Los Angeles Angels breaks his bat against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Chicago White Sox walks off the field against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) ducks after trying to reach a home run ball hit by Chicago White Sox’s Tim Anderson during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his home run with third base coach Joe McEwing #47 against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates a grand slam by Jose Abreu #79 against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Tim Anderson #7 and Yermin Mercedes #73 of the Chicago White Sox celebrate a grand slam home run by Jose Abreu #79 against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates his home run with Jose Abreu #79 against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • A young fan sleeps on a man’s shoulder during a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Yermin Mercedes #73 of the Chicago White Sox hits an RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Yermin Mercedes #73 of the Chicago White Sox reacts after his RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Jose Iglesias #4, Anthony Rendon #6, Jared Walsh #20 and David Fletcher #22 of the Los Angeles Angels look on during a pitching change against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Two fans celebrate after one catches a foul ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with David Fletcher #22 after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with Jose Iglesias #4 after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Nick Madrigal #1, Tim Anderson #7 and Liam Hendriks #31 of the Chicago White Sox celebrate their 12-8 win against the Los Angeles Angels after the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: Fans wait outside at Angel Stadium of Anaheim before the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • An usher points the way to a fan’s seat before an MLB baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • A Los Angeles Angels fan takes a photo of a Mike Trout bobblehead before an MLB baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: An usher holds a sign that reads, “Thank You for Wearing Your Face Mask” before the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Two Los Angeles Angels fan wear matching outfits that feature the face of Shohei Ohtani before an MLB baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • A fan takes a photo as an usher holds up a sign before an MLB baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: The Los Angeles Angels hit during batting practice before the game against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert (88) poses for a photo with fans before an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • Fans arrive at Angel Stadium before an MLB baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

  • ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 02: An usher waits for fans before the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 02, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

  • A fan reads the sports section of a newspaper in her seat before an MLB baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels Friday, April 2, 2021, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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ANAHEIM — Although the Angels lost 12-8 to the Chicago White Sox on Friday night, they at least learned some things.

From a success and a failure.

Manager Joe Maddon said he now has a better idea of how he can use rookie Chris Rodriguez after watching the way he handled himself through two scoreless innings in his big league debut.

And Andrew Heaney said he learned that he needs to trust his fastball more after his game plan backfired on him, resulting in much of the damage that cost the Angels the game.

“Tonight did not go well,” Heaney said. “I didn’t give us a chance to win. But that’s something I need to process tonight and tomorrow and come out and use what I learned to put together a plan for the next start.”

What went wrong was fairly apparent.

Heaney came out of the gate blowing fastballs by the White Sox hitters, hitting radar gun readings he hadn’t seen since 2019. He threw one fastball at 95.2 mph, and he hit 94 mph seven times in the first two innings. Last year he threw only nine pitches all season at 94 mph.

Heaney threw his fastball 28 times out of 40 pitches the first time through the White Sox order. He retired the first seven before giving up two singles.

Then, back at the top, Heaney decided to throw fewer fastballs. He said it was an idea he had before the game because “the White Sox are a good fastball hitting team.”

He threw just four fastballs out of 17 pitches to the next four hitters, and one of them was a changeup that Jose Abreu blasted over the fence for a grand slam. Heaney then failed to retire any of the first three hitters in the fourth inning, and all of them scored.

Asked afterward why he stopped throwing his fastball, Heaney said: “That’s a good question. That’s definitely something I’m going to take a look at tomorrow and the next day.”

He added that he felt he “got a little tentative and backed myself into a corner. I hadn’t really showed I could throw the slider down and off the plate and then you’re getting into fastball-changeup territory, and I probably leaned a little more on the changeup when I should have mixed it up more.”

While Heaney’s game was disappointing, Rodriguez had an encouraging performance. He recorded six outs over three innings, the fifth, sixth and seventh. He struck out three. He did not allow a run.

The moment he stepped on the mound it was a success, though. He’d missed most of 2018 and 2019 with a back injury, and, of course, lost the 2020 minor league season because of the pandemic.

“Honestly it was like nothing I’ve ever felt before,” Rodriguez said. “When I entered the gate I completely blacked out. When I got out of the inning and heard the fans scream, there’s no better feeling honestly.”

Rodriguez averaged 97.6 mph with his fastball in the 27-pitch outing, but he also threw some good changeups and sliders.

Maddon obviously had confidence that Rodriguez could get big league hitters out, but he said watching the ease with which he did it in his first outing was eye-opening.

“That was special and powerful,” Maddon said. “I think it taught us a lot right there. I didn’t know what to expect. He’s got that kind of ability. That’s impressive to get that many outs with that few pitches. I think we learned a lesson ourselves.”

Maddon said that Rodriguez “opens up a relief pitcher’s Pandora’s Box about how you can use him.”

Although Rodriguez was projected as a starter before the Angels made him a reliever, he doesn’t seem to have a preference.

“I love every single role in the big leagues,” Rodriguez said.

By the time Rodriguez was finished, the Angels had cut what had been a 7-1 deficit to 7-6, giving them a chance to do more than simply learn out of this game. But they couldn’t tie it, and the White Sox put the game away with five runs in the top of the ninth.

The Angels responded with a two-run homer by Shohei Ohtani against closer Liam Hendriks in the bottom of the ninth.

Ohtani then told Maddon that he wants to hit on Saturday, which would be the day before he pitches on Sunday. That would be another first for Ohtani as the Angels expand his role.

“We lost the game, but a lot of interesting things occurred,” Maddon said. “This gives us stuff to think about as we move forward.”

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