Angels lose to Cubs split squad, 4-2, in Cactus League play

Chicago Cubs (split squad) 4, Angels 2

AT THE PLATE: Josh Hamilton worked a nice at-bat in the fourth, going from an 0-and-2 count to 3-and-2 and stroking the eighth pitch from reliever Carlos Marmol into right field for a single. Brandon Harris, competing for a utility infield spot, tripled to right and scored on a groundout in the sixth.

ON THE MOUND: Joe Blanton needed only 20 pitches to zip through two innings in which he gave up a solo homer to Brian Bogusevic and nothing else. He threw another 20 pitches in the bullpen to reach his 40-pitch target. Reliever Michael Kohn continued his strong comeback from Tommy John surgery by retiring the side in order in the third, and Hiroyuki Kobayashi struck out two batters with split-fingered fastballs in the eighth before giving up a homer to Brad Nelson.

EXTRA BASES: Hamilton, who has started his last two spring games at designated hitter, has been slowed by a sore left quadriceps, but he said the injury “is nothing out of the ordinary for spring training.” Utility infield candidate Luis Rodriguez is batting .467 (seven for 15) this spring.

UP NEXT: vs. Oakland on Monday, noon PST at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. On the air: TV: none; Radio: 830.

—Mike DiGiovanna