Spring training: Cincinnati 8, Angels 6

AT THE PLATE: C.J. Cron stroked a hit-and-run single through a vacated second base hole in the second inning and crushed a two-run home run over a fence beyond the left-center-field wall in the fourth for his third homer. Cron has shown good bat control and plate coverage and is batting .421 (24 for 57) with 12 runs batted in. “He’s showing some versatility and using all fields,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Right now, he’s swinging the bat great.” Third baseman David Freese returned to the lineup after missing four games because of a hyper-extended left elbow and singled twice and scored two runs. Marc Krauss hit an RBI double, and Johnny Giavotella and Grant Green had RBI singles in the eighth.

ON THE MOUND: Starter Andrew Heaney gave up four runs in the third, an inning that included an RBI double by former Angels outfielder Brennan Boesch and a long three-run homer by Chris Dominguez. Vinnie Pestano, who appears to have secured a bullpen spot, allowed a hit and struck out one in two-thirds of an inning. Fernando Salas struck out one in a hitless eighth, but Mike Morin gave up a run, two hits and a walk in the ninth.

EXTRA BASES: Hector Santiago (Monday), Jered Weaver (Tuesday) and C.J. Wilson (Wednesday) will make their next starts in the controlled environment of minor league games, where the Angels can make sure they start seven innings and throw about 100 pitches. … Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco was pulled in the third after his left quadriceps cramped up running the bases, but the injury is not believed to be serious.

ANGELS UP NEXT: Seattle Mariners on Monday at 1 p.m. at Peoria Sports Complex. On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 830.