Hunter off, Wells to cleanup spot, Trumbo to wear pink spikes for Angels
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
With right fielder Torii Hunter out of the Angels’ lineup for today’s series finale against the Cleveland Indians and right-hander Fausto Carmona, Vernon Wells, who had been dropped as low as the seventh spot in the order because of his April struggles, will bat cleanup.
Wells, who was batting .174 with one home run entering May, has six hits, including three home runs, in 24 at-bats in his last six games. Manager Mike Scioscia said Hunter, who started every one of the team’s first 34 games, is fine, “but this is a good day for him to catch his breath.”
Hunter probably didn’t complain too much. He is a career .161 hitter (5 for 31) with one walk and 10 strikeouts against Carmona, who has one of the better power sinkers in the game.
Most players will wear pink wrist bands, and many will use pink bats on Mothers’ Day as a tribute to breast cancer survivors and awareness, but Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo will take the tradition a step further by wearking pink spikes. The shoes were provided by Under Armour and will be worn by several players in the major leagues Sunday.
The Angels lineup: SS Erick Aybar, RF Bobby Abreu, DH Maicer Izturis, LF Wells, 3B Alberto Callaspo, 2B Howie Kendrick, C Hank Conger, 1B Trumbo, CF Peter Bourjos, P Dan Haren.
The Indians lineup: CF Grady Sizemore, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo, C Carlos Santana, DH Travis Hafner, 2B Orlando Cabrera, 1B Matt LaPorta, LF Austin Kearns, 3B Adam Everett, P Carmona.
--Mike DiGiovanna