ANGELS : Finley Displays Offensive Skills

He won’t be Manager Marcel Lachemann’s first option when the Angels need a left-handed pinch-hitter but pitcher Chuck Finley had two singles in three at-bats Friday as the Angels pounded out 18 hits in a 9-5 exhibition victory over the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Ariz.

Finley did well on the mound too, giving up three hits--but three earned runs--in six innings.

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Closer Lee Smith’s first appearance in a regular spring-training game didn’t last nearly as long as his walk from the bullpen to the mound, but it solidified Lachemann’s belief Smith will be ready to start the season.

Smith, recovering from a serious knee injury, threw only seven pitches, retiring Rob Deer and Archi Cianfrocco on first-pitch groundouts and striking out Mike Sharperson on a 2-2 count.