Team Is Streaking at the Right Time

A team that has endured two eight-game losing streaks this spring has suddenly sprung to life. The Angels scored six runs in the sixth inning off San Diego Padre relief ace Trevor Hoffman en route to an 8-5 exhibition victory at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Dave Hollins hit a two-run homer and Todd Greene added a three-run homer in the sixth as the Angels won their second in a row. Eddie Murray, who had one hit in his first 20 spring at-bats, also had three hits and two runs batted in, bumping his average to .211 and taking over the team RBI lead with 12.

Opening-day starter Mark Langston made two mistakes that were clobbered by Mark Smith, who hit a solo homer in the fifth, and Ken Caminiti, who added a solo homer in the sixth.

But Langston gave up only three other hits, struck out three and walked two in a solid six-inning performance.

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Pitcher Shad Williams and utility infielder Robert Eenhoorn, both non-roster invitees to spring training, were returned to minor league camp. The Angels also assigned reliever Pete Janicki to minor league camp for work purposes only and assigned catcher Chris Turner (sprained wrist) to minor league camp for rehabilitation purposes. . . . First baseman Jack Howell, who is batting .425 this spring, was a late scratch Sunday because his bruised heel flared up. . . . Dennis Springer helped his chances of earning a relief role by giving up only one run in six innings of a B game against a team of Angel minor leaguers Sunday morning.