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Bell dealing with ups and downs

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GLENDALE — The following are updates on area Major League Baseball players.

Trevor Bell (Crescenta Valley High, 2005) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim relief pitcher: Bell had perhaps his best pitching performance in two stints at the Major League Baseball level, but didn’t have long to savor it.

In his latest appearance on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals, he faced just one batter, Felipe Lopez.

Coming in relief of Scot Shields, who had loaded the bases with just one out, Bell’s 1-1 offering to Lopez was lifted into the outfield, over a five-man infield, for a 6-5, extra-inning victory.

“I threw a fastball down, and he lifted it far enough to get out there,” Bell told mlb.com. “It was a great piece of hitting.

“You have to get a ground ball or a strikeout there. You’ve got to throw your best stuff over the plate, because you can’t walk the guy. No excuses.”

On Friday, though, Bell was lights out against the Cardinals.

He pitched three innings of scoreless relief, facing just one batter over the minimum. Bell allowed just one hit and struck out four batters to no walks. In the process, he also retired multiple-time All-Star Albert Pujols, largely considered baseball’s greatest hitter, on two occasions.

In the game, he also had his first major league at-bat, but struck out on for pitches.

Through six appearances heading into action on Monday night, Bell has built a 1-1 record with a 4.05 earned-run average. The former Falcons standout has notched six strikeouts to two walks.

Heading into a Monday tilt at home against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Halos were 21-25, which puts them at third place in the American League West Division.

Gregg Zaun (St. Francis High, 1989) Milwaukee Brewers catcher: The Glendale native is currently biding his time on the disabled list.

He left a contest on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning with a strained right shoulder.

Zaun was place on the 15-day DL.

Before that, through 28 games, he was hitting .265 with a .350 on-base percentage.

He’s scored 11 runs, had 14 runs batted in and walked 11 times.

Marco Estrada (Glendale Community College, 2003) Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher: The former Vaquero was called up to the big league for the third consecutive season on May 18 when he was recalled by the Brewers after they placed outfielder Jim Edmonds on the disabled list.

Estrada has quickly been thrown into the mix.

He received a spot start on Sunday, going three innings and allowing two runs as the Brewers eventually beat the Minnesota Twins, 4-3.

It came as a result of a disastrous Saturday against the Twins in which starter Dave Bush retired just one batter in his start. In turn, Sunday starter Manny Parra was used in relief that day, as was Estrada, who threw 21 pitches.

It all worked out for the Brewers on Sunday though, as Estrada and four other pitchers, including Parra, combined to do the job.

“It was a total team effort today, and it’s been that way the whole way,” pitching coach Rick Peterson told mlb.com. “Nobody has gone into bed and under the covers. Everybody realizes our struggles, but guys are making a concerted effort to improve themselves.”

Through Monday, Milwaukee is 17-27, which puts it in fifth place in the National League Central Division.

Estrada, who’s now made three appearances, enjoyed his best effort on May 18 at Cincinnati.

He tossed four innings of relief, striking out four to no walks and allowing two hits and one run.

Over his three appearances, he’s tallied a 6.14 earned-run average with seven strikeouts to two walks.

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