Schoeneweis Is a Bright Spot

A day after Ramon Ortiz was found to have a slight tear in his shoulder and a week after Jarrod Washburn went down with a strained chest muscle, Scott Schoeneweis gave the Angels’ ailing pitching corps a boost Thursday.

The left-hander gave up two runs and five hits and struck out four in a five-inning performance against Oakland, which beat the Angels, 4-3.

Schoeneweis’ sinker was working and he threw a few impressive fastballs to the inside corner. He has a 2.25 ERA in 12 spring innings.

Ortiz, who hopes rehabilitation and treatment will allow him to pitch despite his injury, will throw again today and will have at least two bullpen workouts before returning to action.

If he’s ready to open the season, the final rotation spot will come down to Schoeneweis and Brian Cooper.

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Left-handed reliever Greg Cadaret faced four left-handed hitters in the ninth, giving up two runs on three singles and a sacrifice fly. The veteran was released after the game, leaving Mike Holtz and Juan Alvarez to compete for the left-handed relief spot. . . . Infielder Scott Spiezio, released by the A’s over the winter, hit two solo homers against his ex-teammates, and Mo Vaughn also homered for the Angels.