March 14--Highlights of the Angels' 7-3 victory over the Texas Rangers in Tempe, Ariz.
AT THE PLATE: Second baseman Johnny Giavotella smothered Delino DeShields' fifth-inning shot up the middle with a backhand dive and flipped the ball with his glove hand to shortstop Andrelton Simmons for a force out. He hit his first home run of the spring, a three-run shot to left field, to highlight a five-run seventh inning. Catcher Geovany Soto hit a home run to left in the fourth, his second of the spring, and C.J. Cron hit a run-scoring single in the seventh.
ON THE MOUND: Opening-day starter Garrett Richards threw 52 pitches over four scoreless innings of a "B" game against Arizona on Sunday morning, giving up two hits, striking out three batters and walking none. Manager Mike Scioscia wanted to make sure Richards reached four innings and about 60 pitches, and Richards wanted to use the outing to work on his changeup. Relievers Cam Bedrosian, Greg Mahle, Fernando Salas and A.J. Achter each threw scoreless innings against the Rangers, with Mahle and Achter each striking out two.
EXTRA BASES: Left-hander Nate Smith will start Monday in place of Jered Weaver, who has been slowed by a stiff neck and will be examined by a spine specialist. ... Albert Pujols, relegated to designated hitter while he recovers from off-season surgery on his right foot, hopes to play first base in a game soon after the team's March 23 day off.
UP NEXT: Reds on Monday, 1 p.m. at Tempe Diablo Stadium. TV: FS West; Radio: 830.
