THE GAME: The Angels managed just seven hits and hit into double plays to end three straight innings in a 2-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.
PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Patrick Sandoval gave up one run in 4-1/3 innings, his best outing of the spring. Sandoval struck out five and walked two, throwing 77 pitches. The only run he allowed came after he gave up an infield hit with two outs and a runner at third. Sandoval escaped a first-and-third jam by getting a double play grounder in the second inning. “It felt good,” Sandoval said. “The offspeed is still getting there, but a lot of positive signs.”… Right-hander Adam Cimber pitched a scoreless inning. Cimber has not allowed a run in five innings this spring.
HITTING REPORT: Mike Trout was 1 for 3 with two strikeouts. Trout is 8 for 35 (.229) with 16 strikeouts and two walks this spring. … Anthony Rendon was also 1 for 3. He is 4 for 18 (.222) with four walks this spring. … Two of the Angels’ hits came in the sixth inning, singles by Logan O’Hoppe and Luis Rengifo. Nolan Schanuel then bounced into a double play. … In the seventh, Trout and Rendon each singled, but Taylor Ward then hit a flyout to right and Brandon Drury hit into a double play. … In the eighth, Zach Neto hit a line drive to first base, which became another inning-ending double play.
DEFENSE REPORT: Trout leapt at the center field fence but couldn’t come down with a drive by Alek Thomas, who ended up with a triple. Trout hit the wall hard, but remained in the game. … The Angels escaped a jam in the second inning with a non-traditional double play. Third baseman Luis Rengifo fielded a grounder and then threw to second, with shortstop Zach Neto covering because second baseman Brandon Drury was playing in the hole. Neto caught the throw, then leapt to get out of the way of the runner as he threw to first. … Left-hander Matt Moore made an errant pickoff throw to first, leading to an unearned run. He escaped the inning with a behind-the-back snag of a comebacker.
UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Griffin Canning) at Brewers (RHP DL Hall) at American Family Fields, Maryvale, Monday, 1:10 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.
