March 10--AT THE PLATE -- Veteran first baseman Carlos Pena continued to make his case for a bench spot, stroking a two-out, pinch-hit, run-scoring single to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning. Pena has hits in each of his last three at-bats. The Angels had only seven singles and are batting just .255 (83 for 325) with 30 runs in their last 10 games.
ON THE MOUND: Rule 5 pick Brian Moran enhanced his chances of making the team as a left-handed relief specialist, entering with one out in the sixth and retiring 2010 National League most valuable player Joey Votto on a fly ball to center field. Closer Ernesto Frieri looked strong during a hitless seventh inning, but setup man Joe Smith gave up a run and back-to-back doubles in the eighth.
EXTRA BASES: Left fielder J.B. Shuck made a superb full-extension diving catch of Neftali Soto's flare toward the line after a long run in the second inning. ... Cory Rasmus threw 11/3 scoreless innings, and top pitching prospect Mark Sappington retired the only batter he faced in the sixth.
UP NEXT: Cleveland at 1 p.m. at Goodyear Ballpark. On the air: Radio: 830.
mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
