Angels power their way to 9-2 win over Diamondbacks

By Mike DiGiovanna

March 30, 2012 12 AM PT

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Howie Kendrick, Albert Pujols and Ryan Langerhans each hit home runs, and Torii Hunter had a double, two singles and scored twice to lead the Angels to a 9-2 exhibition victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday in Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Bobby Abreu, who entered with an .087 average (4 for 46) and was reportedly on the verge of being traded to Cleveland on Thursday night, responded to an off-day tutorial with hitting coach Mickey Hatcher and triple-A hitting coach Jim Eppard with two singles and two runs batted in in three at-bats to improve to .122.

“He had a great session with Mickey,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He’s trying to use the middle of the field, like he did in his first two at-bats, and he saw the ball well. Hopefully, this was a step forward for Bobby.”

C.J. Wilson continued his superb spring with a solid 6 1/3-inning effort, allowing two runs and five hits, striking out seven -- six in the first three innings -- walking one and surpassing the 90-pitch mark.

The left-hander is 3-0 with a 1.33 earned-run average, having allowed three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings, striking out 16 and walking only three in five spring starts, and he’s gained so much command of the changeup he’s been working on all spring that he will bring it into the season.

“I threw an accidental cut changeup,” Wilson said of a ball Ryan Roberts hit for a solo home run in the fifth. “Roberts deposited that over the left-field wall and gave a fan a souvenir. But that was my first real mistake with the changeup all spring. I have the confidence in it to throw it often.”

LaTroy Hawkins allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth, and left-hander Hisanori Takahashi threw a hitless ninth to extend his scoreless innings streak to nine in six spring games.

Angels reliever Isringhausen on team; Abreu in lineup

Angels reportedly on verge of trading Bobby Abreu to Indians

Angels power their way to 9-2 win over Diamondbacks