A mighty wind aids Angels
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SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Maybe it’s not a lack of power that has hindered the Angels all these years. It could be a lack of wind.
Backed by a stiff breeze blowing straight out to center field in Surprise Stadium, the Angels have scored 10 runs on 12 hits, including home runs by Robb Quinlan, Juan Rivera, Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis, in the first three innings of an exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals.
Royals left-hander Horacio Ramirez bore the brunt of the Angels assault, which included six runs and six hits, including Rivera’s two-run single and Quinlan’s two-run homer, in the first inning. Matt Brown added an RBI triple in the first and a single in the third.
Angels ace John Lackey allowed one run, on a Ryan Shealy home run, through the first three innings.
There are plenty of Angels fans in the house. Kansas City right-fielder Jose Guillen, the former Angel who was suspended for the final week of the regular season and the playoffs in 2004 after showing up Manager Mike Scioscia, was booed loudly in his first two at-bats ... in his home stadium.
--Mike DiGiovanna