Hunter, Abreu, Wells make winning debut for Angels
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu made their spring training debut as teammates a successful one Monday, combining for three hits, two walks, a run scored and another driven in to spark the Angels to an 8-7 win over the Oakland Athletics.
Hunter walked twice and scored a run, Abreu doubled twice and had an RBI while Wells singled and knocked in a run when Oakland outfielder Chris Carter misplayed his first-inning fly ball.
Maicer Izturis also had a single and a run scored, Peter Bourjos had a double, a bunt single and scored twice, and Howie Kendrick had a single and an RBI. The Angels had 12 hits all told and also took advantage of four Oakland errors.
There was a scary moment for the Angels in the bottom of the sixth inning when highly rated infield prospect Jean Segura collided with former Dodger Andy La Roche, who was reaching for a high throw at first for Oakland. Segura lay on the ground for several minutes before leaving the game for a pinch-runner, walking on his own to the clubhouse.
Starter Joel Pineiro tossed a pair of scoreless innings, giving up two hits. Left-hander Scott Downs made his first appearance in an Angels uniform, giving up a hit in one scoreless inning of relief. However, Matt Palmer struggled in his five-out appearance, allowing three hits and a walk. Two of those runners scored when left-hander Matt Meyer walked consecutive batters with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
-- Kevin Baxter in Tempe, Ariz.