Bullpen shines in Angels’ 4-3 exhibition victory over San Diego

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It was a rough afternoon for Angels starter Jered Weaver, who gave up three runs and four hits, walked five and struck out four in 3 1/3 innings, but the right-hander was picked up by a bullpen that combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a 4-3 exhibition victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday in the Peoria Sports Complex.

Closer Brian Fuentes threw a one-two-three fifth inning, Scot Shields struck out two and walked one in a scoreless sixth, Brian Stokes retired the side in order in the seventh, and Jason Bulger struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning for the Angels. Minor leaguer Juan Mateo retired the side in order in the ninth for the save.

‘It was good to get all those guys out there,’ Manager Mike Scioscia said. ‘Fuentes looked good. Stokes is making an adjustment with his breaking ball, and he looked good. Shields is still working on his command, but the ball is coming out hot. And Bulger looked really good.’

Howie Kendrick and Brandon Wood each had two hits for the Angels, and Kendry Morales hit a run-scoring single. Michael Ryan, competing for a reserve outfield spot, had an RBI double.

But it was a rough afternoon for Angels catcher Mike Napoli, who was unable to throw out any of the five Padres who stole second base Tuesday. Opponents have been successful on all 11 stolen-base attempts against Napoli this spring.

‘Right now, he’s out of sync,’ Scioscia said of Napoli. ‘We’ll make some adjustments, and he’ll find it. His shoulder is strong, and his arm feels good. He’s just out of sync with his transfer and where his load needs to be. We’ll work on it in drills, but he needs to find his rhythm in games.’

-- Mike DiGiovanna in Peoria, Ariz.