March 23--Highlights from the Angels' 6-5 victory over Oakland on Tuesday
AT THE PLATE: In his return to the lineup as the Angels' shortstop, Andrelton Simmons homered in the fourth inning and sacrifice bunted in the fifth. . . . Mike Trout hit a run-scoring single in the fifth and was then removed from the game. . . . Catcher Geovany Soto hit a pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning and worked a walk with the bases loaded in the ninth to force in the winning run. . . . First baseman Ji-Man Choi, who is on the roster bubble, singled, doubled and struck out twice.
ON THE MOUND: The first pitch left-hander Hector Santiago threw Tuesday was a curveball, which was the first time he could remember starting a game with that pitch. He threw more than 90 more pitches as he worked into the seventh inning, striking out four and walking one. Santiago gave up five singles, a double and three runs, then pronounced himself ready for the regular season. . . . Right-hander Fernando Salas faced two batters, Billy Butler and Jed Lowrie. Butler doubled and Lowrie tripled. . . . Left-hander Greg Mahle threw two scoreless innings. Mahle, 22, is one of two players without previous major league experience still on the big league roster. Catcher Juan Graterol is the other.
EXTRA BASES: Third baseman Yunel Escobar was scratched a half-hour before game time because of irritation in his left eye. Manager Mike Scioscia said the issue arose during batting practice. . . . Left fielder Daniel Nava threw out Oakland's Josh Reddick at second base.
UP NEXT: No game Wednesday. Chicago White Sox on Thursday, 1 p.m. at Camelback Ranch. On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 830.
