Angels absorb another Cactus League beating, losing to A’s, 13-5

PHOENIX — The Angels absorbed another Cactus League beating Monday, their 13-5 exhibition loss to the Oakland Athletics in Phoenix Municipal Stadium dropping their spring record to 1-8-2, but several front-line players had productive afternoons.

Vernon Wells, a reserve outfielder who hopes to push Peter Bourjos for playing time, hit his second home run of the spring, a three-run shot to left-center field off All-Star reliever Ryan Cook in the fifth inning.

“He’s having good at-bats and seeing the ball well,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Wells. “Some of the pitches we saw him miss last year, he’s squaring up right now, and that’s encouraging.”

Leadoff batter Mike Trout had a double, two singles, scored two runs and stole a base, and left-hander Jason Vargas, making his Angels spring debut after last December’s trade from Seattle, threw two hitless innings, striking out one and walking one.

“I think Vargas looked great,” Scioscia said. “We saw that from the other dugout for a while. His velocity was where it needs to be. He threw some good changeups. His rhythm was great. It was a great workout for him.”

Relievers Nick Maronde and David Carpenter didn’t fare as well. Maronde gave up two singles ahead of John Jaso’s three-run triple in the fourth inning, and Carpenter gave up three runs and four hits in the fifth.

Chad Cordero, the former Cal State Fullerton star and Washington Nationals closer, hit a major snag in his comeback from a three-year absence because of arm injuries, allowing six earned runs and five hits in 2/3 innings.

“Some of his fastballs were flat and over the plate, and he had trouble putting some guys away,” Scioscia said. “From where he is, maybe a tough outing is not a total surprise. As long as he’s healthy and his arm rebounds well and he maintains his stuff, he’s still coming. He has more upside.”

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