Angels split squads beat Brewers, Rangers
Angels 12, Brewers 2
Angels 12, Rangers 1
AT THE PLATE: David Freese, who had one hit in his first 14 spring at-bats (.071), had three singles and two runs batted in against the Brewers. Albert Pujols, Kole Calhoun and Erick Aybar each had two hits, and Hank Conger and Mike Trout had two-run singles. Against the Rangers, John McDonald hit a two-out, two-run double, and Collin Cowgill had a three-run home run in a five-run first inning.
ON THE MOUND: Joe Blanton, a longshot to make the rotation despite his $8.5-million salary, gave up one hit and struck out five in five scoreless innings against Texas. Closer Ernesto Frieri struck out two in a one-two-three sixth inning, and setup man Joe Smith struck out one and walked one in a scoreless eighth against Milwaukee.
EXTRA BASES: The Angels rocked right-hander Matt Garza for 10 runs — six earned — and nine hits in 12/3 innings. Garza spurned a four-year, $52-million offer from the Angels in December and signed with the Brewers. … Calhoun took advantage of some lax Milwaukee defense to score from first base on Trout’s single to shallow left-center field in an eight-run second inning.
UP NEXT: Chicago White Sox at 1 p.m. at Tempe Diablo Stadium. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 830.
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