Bobby Abreu hits three-run home run, Ervin Santana throws five scoreless innings in Angels’ 8-0 win over San Francisco

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Inspired by a pregame visit from Muhammad Ali, the Angels pounded San Francisco starter Matt Cain for five runs and five hits, including Bobby Abreu’s three-run home run in the first inning of an 8-0 Cactus League victory over the Giants in Tempe Diablo Stadium on Wednesday.

Ervin Santana threw five scoreless innings, giving up four hits, striking out six and walking two; Fernando Rodney struck out three of four batters in the sixth and Hisanori Takahashi threw two scoreless innings, extending his spring scoreless streak to 11 innings.

“Everyone came out and acted like we were the champs,” left fielder Vernon Wells said. “It was fun to see [Ali] and think about all of the great quotes from his heyday. He was one of the special ones. We soaked it all in. It was a special day.”

The only blemish was a minor injury to Wells, who left after three innings because of tightness in his left hamstring.

“This is the first time it’s come up, but it’s very mild,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He wanted to stay in and play, but it doesn’t make sense to push it right now. He won’t play Thursday, but we’ll get him back out there on Friday.”

Cain did not give up an earned run in the 2010 postseason, and he hadn’t given up an earned run in 10 spring innings, but his streak of 31-1/3 innings without giving up an earned run ended in the first, when Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick singled and Abreu drove a three-run homer to right field.

Mark Trumbo had a run-scoring double and Jeff Mathis had a run-scoring single in the first inning. Aybar had a bloop run-scoring double in the fourth, with speedy Peter Bourjos scoring from first base on the hit.

“There were a lot of good things out there,” Scioscia said. “We ran the bases really well, and the guys who need to swing it in the box are starting to get comfortable.”

RELATED:

Left fielder Vernon Wells leaves game because of hamstring injury

Angels in awe as Muhammad Ali visits team before game

--Mike DiGiovanna in Tempe, Ariz.