Spring training: Arizona 5, Angels 2 - Los Angeles Times
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Spring training: Arizona 5, Angels 2

Angels first baseman Albert Pujols follows through on a swing against the Chicago Cubs during an exhibition game on Friday.
(Norm Hall / Getty Images)
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Arizona 5, Angels 2

AT THE PLATE: Albert Pujols struck out looking at a sharp-breaking curve and grounded out to shortstop in two at-bats against Archie Bradley, Arizona’s top pitching prospect, his spring average falling to .066. But Pujols drove in a run with a sharp single to center field against Matt Stites in the fifth inning. Outfield prospect Matt Long had a run-scoring double in the fifth.

ON THE MOUND: Garrett Richards was dominant for two innings, retiring six batters in a row and hitting 97 mph. But he fell behind on counts in the third and fourth innings and gave up five runs and eight hits, including Didi Gregorius’ two-run double and Paul Goldschmidt’s run-scoring double. “The first 20 pitches he threw were incredible,†Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Then he lost his rhythm out of the stretch.â€

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EXTRA BASES: Grant Green, whose chances of winning a utility spot will hinge on his ability to play shortstop and third base, fielded five grounders cleanly and threw to first base for outs from shortstop. … Utility candidate John McDonald made a spectacular backhand diving stop of a grounder behind the second base bag and flipped the ball with his glove hand to second for a force out in the ninth.

UP NEXT: Cincinnati at 1 p.m. at Tempe Diablo Stadium. On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 830.

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