Angels pitching gets roughed up by the Athletics in a one-sided loss
SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Angels lost to the Oakland Athletics, 11-2, at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Saturday.
ON THE MOUND: It was a long day for Angels pitchers. Starter Jaime Barria gave up four runs and five hits in three innings. He struck out three batters but also surrendered two home runs.
Relievers Álex Claudio and Junior Guerra also had bumpy outings. Claudio gave up two runs in one inning, while Guerra was charged with four runs in 1⅔. Kyle Keller gave up a run in the ninth. Dillon Peters (1⅓ innings) and Jake Faria (one inning) were the only Angels pitchers to keep the A’s off the board.
AT THE PLATE: David Fletcher had two hits, lining both a first-inning double and fifth-inning single the other way into right field. He also reached on an error in the third inning. Mike Trout didn’t have a hit, but came close to hitting a home run on a deep fly ball to the left-field warning track. Trout also had a diving catch in center field.
INJURY UPDATES: Reliever Félix Peña (hamstring strain) played catch up to 90 feet Friday without issue, but is still expected back to be out for two to four weeks. . . . Reliever Aaron Slegers (back spasms) remains day to day but is feeling better after skipping a scheduled appearance Thursday with tightness. . . . Reliever Luke Bard (hip) threw a bullpen session Saturday. . . . Outfielder Brandon Marsh (shoulder) is scheduled to play in the field for the first time all spring in a B-game Sunday.
UP NEXT: Shohei Ohtani will make his third start of the spring Sunday when the Angels visit the San Diego Padres in Peoria Stadium. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. TV: Prime Ticket. Radio: AM 830.
FRIDAY
Jo Adell bounces back from miscue in Angels’ tie with Royals
The Angels tied the Kansas City Royals 4-4 at Surprise Stadium on Friday.
ADELL’S UP-AND-DOWN DAY: Even while playing his more natural center field position, Jo Adell’s defensive struggles continued.
With two runners aboard in the fourth inning, Adell appeared to lose a routine fly ball in the sun, whiffing on the catch near the warning track to allow a two-run, ground-rule double.
Adell bounced back at the plate, however, hammering an RBI double to center field in the seventh inning. After a slow start to the spring offensively, he is now five for 13 in his last nine games with three extra-base hits and six RBIs.
“It was good to see [the defensive mistake] not carry over,” manager Joe Maddon said. “It was a two-strike count, he got back into the at-bat and got a big hit.”
ON THE MOUND: Dylan Bundy took another positive step in his preparation for next month’s start on opening day, giving up just two runs (one earned) in five innings with six strikeouts. His focus Friday was on his curveball and slider, throwing the pitches both early in counts and to put batters away. His final pitch was one of his best, a full-count curveball that Andrew Benintendi couldn’t lay off.
Prospect Chris Rodriguez gave up one run (a home run) in one inning with two strikeouts. His velocity topped out at 99 mph.
With relievers Félix Peña (hamstring strain) and Aaron Slegers (back spasms) uncertain for opening day, Maddon said Rodriguez and Reid Detmers, the club’s top two pitching prospects, could be in contention for possible relief roles if the Angels end up needing more bullpen depth to start the season.
Jesse Chavez, a veteran reliever who is also in the mix for a bullpen spot, finished the game with a scoreless ninth inning.
UP NEXT: The Angels return to Tempe Diablo Stadium to face the Oakland Athletics at 1:10 p.m. Saturday. TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: AM 830.
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