Angels’ Hank Conger could get more playing time

HOUSTON — The last time reserve catcher Hank Conger spoke to reporters in Minute Maid Park it was after his worst game of the season, a three-error night in a 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros.

It was a different story Friday. Conger, who played sporadically in April and May, started for the second straight game, the combination of Chris Iannetta’s struggles and Conger’s improved play leading to more opportunity for the backup.

After Conger threw out two runners attempting to steal and sparked an eighth-inning rally with a leadoff double in a 4-2 victory over the Astros, his playing time could increase considerably.

“There’s no hiding it — the last time I came here, it wasn’t one of my best games,” said Conger, whose throwing woes in spring training and early in the season cost him playing time. “It definitely felt good to redeem myself I’m feeling more comfortable behind the plate — that’s the biggest thing.”

Defense is always the priority for Manager Mike Scioscia’s catchers. It doesn’t matter whether they hit like Johnny Bench — or Mike Napoli, for that matter. If they don’t handle pitchers, receive the ball and block balls in the dirt well and control the running game, they’re going to lose playing time.

Conger, who is batting .245 with four homers in 39 games, is considered a more offensive-minded catcher, but his defense is starting to catch up, so much so that he’s started two or three games a week this month.

“He’s definitely receiving the ball well and making more consistent throws,” Scioscia said. “He’s played well enough to earn more time.”

After throwing out Ronny Cedeno at second in the fifth inning Friday night and Jose Altuve at third in the sixth, Conger has thrown out nine of 24 potential base-stealers, a 38% success rate that is far superior to Iannetta’s 11% rate (six of 56), though Iannetta has caught six of the nine games started by Tommy Hanson, who struggles to hold runners on.

“Confidence is definitely a big thing,” said Conger, who is working with bullpen coach Steve Soliz and bullpen catcher Tom Gregorio on muscle-memory drills and visualizing a target.

“When things are going bad, you have that sense of doubt. You try to block it out, but that’s easier said than done. This hasn’t been an overnight thing. I’ve worked my way up to where I am now.”

Cuban imports

The Angels sent pro scouting director Hal Morris and special assignment scout Tim Schmidt to Tijuana for former Cuban national team pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez’s most recent showcase, which reportedly was Friday.

General Manager Jerry DiPoto said the team will also scout fellow Cuban national team defector Dalier Hinojosa.

Gonzalez, a 6-foot-3 right-hander who some scouts believe could pitch in the major leagues this year, is the more highly regarded of the two and could command a deal in excess of $40 million.

The Angels did not scout his workout earlier this month, and Dipoto would not gauge the team’s interest level.

“We’re working from scratch,” he said.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com