Bats break out for Angels in split-squad sweep

Published Mar. 12, 2014 7:52 p.m. ET

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TEMPE, Ariz. Observations from the Angels' 12-2 split-squad victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday.

The lineup

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With Mike Trout batting second, Albert Pujols third and David Freese fifth vs. the Brewers, the Angels had plenty of offense going at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

In the bottom of the first inning, Trout scored on a double from Pujols, who was driven home by a single from Freese.  In the bottom of the second, Trout added an RBI single that scored Cole Calhoun from first. Two batters later, Freese (who made a great diving stab at third base to end the top of the second inning) brought home Trout on an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly from Howie Kendrick that scored Albert Pujols (who walked to get on base).

All in all, the Angels scored 10 runs on 10 hits in the first two innings, driving Brewers starter Matt Garza from the mound.

Final stats: Trout (1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored), Pujols (2-for-3, 2 runs score, 1 RBI), Freese (3-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run scored).

Mike'd up

Mike Scioscia, entering his 15th season as the Angels' manager, spoke with the media prior to Wednesday's game vs. Milwaukee before hitting the road to watch the team's 12-1 split-squad win vs. Texas in Surprise.  

On pitchers in spring training

"Your performance is not going to be your line score... it's execution of pitches, the progress, stuff like that, so in that regard, it's critical for every pitcher. Everyone needs to get that performance locked down."

On Mike Trout

"All these guys aren't totally polished the way they will be in a couple of weeks. Mike has perspective, he manages himself. He's out there trying to help us win in any way he can. He's multi-dimensional. He's not chasing numbers, he's playing baseball. And I think that's a great attitude to have.

On the glove-to-hand transfer call

During Tuesday's loss to Seattle, umpires overturned a call involving Angels infielder Andre Romine in which he dropped the ball while attempting to turn a double play with the bases loaded. It was first ruled a force out, but was then changed after a review after umpires determined Romine didn't have possession of the ball.

Scioscia expects some flexibility from the umpires when infielders are vicinity of the second-base bag.

"But they're going to be tighter on the transfer," Scioscia said. "If that balances out, we'll see. But the way it was called on Romy yesterday has never been called in 40 years of baseball...They're going to call that much closer."

Bad day for Garza

Garza, in his first year with the Brewers, was chased from the mound after barely 1 2/3 innings of work. Garza, who signed a four-year deal with $50 million guaranteed in the offseason, surrendered nine hits and 10 runs – four of which were unearned – before his day ended.

Ouch

Brewers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez may miss Thursday's schedule spring training outing after stepping on a cactus on Tuesday.

Rodriguez did not speak with the media in Tempe on Wednesday.

"They took out a lot of the thorns but there's still some in there," said manager Ron Roenicke, according to The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has more. "I don't think it's that big of a setback but I imagine he's pretty sore today. You know how little some of the thorns are and they break off in there. So, I don't know. But that's what's going on."

Hamilton update

Angels slugger Josh Hamilton, out for most of spring training with a calf strain, took part in agility drills and batting practice on Tuesday. Hamilton should be ready to return to action as early as next week, according to reports.

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