Angels manager Ron Washington likes to deliver messages to pitchers personally

ANAHEIM — The Angels were trailing by two runs in the eighth inning of an April game, and José Cisnero was digging a hole. The right-hander issued a walk and gave up a hit to the first two batters he faced in the inning.

Ron Washington headed to the mound.

The Angels manager was not bringing a hook with him, though. Instead, he had a message for Cisnero.

After Washington returned the dugout, Cisnero got a flyout and then back-to-back strikeouts, punctuating the third out by pounding his chest.