Angels fall to Royals, 6-1, in Albert Pujols’ spring debut
Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella makes a head-first dive for a triple during the second inning of a spring training game against the Royals on Sunday.
Highlights from the Kansas City Royals’ 6-1 victory over the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium:
AT THE PLATE: Making his spring debut, Albert Pujols swung at the first pitch he saw from right-hander Chris Young and popped up to shortstop. In his second at-bat, he grounded into a double play. … Mike Trout walked and tried to steal second base on a pitch that was fouled off. … C.J. Cron doubled and scored on a Carlos Perez sacrifice fly. … Johnny Giavotella tripled against his former team.
ON THE MOUND: Right-hander Nick Tropeano retired all six batters he faced, striking out two. Tropeano is likely to begin the season in triple A. “I’m really not too worried about it, because all of us are going to contribute at some point,” he said. “We have eight major league-caliber pitchers and we’re all gonna try to help this team win a championship.” … Right-hander Mike Morin hit a batter in the shoulder with his first pitch but finished his inning without yielding a run. ... Cory Rasmus and Javy Guerra threw scoreless innings, and Al Alburquerque, Lucas Luetge and Deolis Guerra each gave up two runs.
EXTRA BASES: The Angels lineup was the closest yet to a potential opening-day order: Yunel Escobar, Daniel Nava, Trout, Pujols, Kole Calhoun, Cron, Andrelton Simmons, Perez and Giavotella. … Third baseman Escobar threw errantly on a routine grounder in the third inning, allowing catcher Tony Cruz to reach second base.
UP NEXT: White Sox on Monday, noon PST at Tempe Diablo Stadium. On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 830. Split-squad against the Reds on Monday, noon PST at Goodyear Ballpark.
—Pedro Moura
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