GAME RECAP: ANGELS 4, ROYALS 2
THE GAME: Justin Upton belted another homer and shortstop Jose Iglesias made a spectacular play in the Angels’ 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals in a Cactus League game on Wednesday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
PITCHING REPORT: Lefthander José Quintana gave up two runs, one earned, in 4-1⁄3 innings on 87 pitches. The homer he allowed to Hunter Dozier was the only earned run that he’s allowed this spring. Quintana has pitched 14 innings. Quintana worked around four hits, two walks and an error. He got out of a bases-loaded jam with a double play in the third . ... Right-hander Aaron Slegers pitched a scoreless inning in his first Cactus League outing since March 4. He’d been out because of back spasms. He’s now pitched three scoreless innings in three games this spring. Slegers was among the favorites for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but it’s now questionable whether he’ll get enough innings to be ready immediately . ... Right-hander Mike Mayers pitched a scoreless inning. He has allowed five runs in six innings this spring, all of them in one game.
HITTING REPORT: Upton doubled and hit his fourth homer of the spring, and he narrowly missed another extra-base hit when his drive down the left-field line landed inches foul. His three-run homer sailed over the berm beyond the left-field fence, putting the Angels up, 4-2, in the sixth inning. He also stole a base. Upton is 13 for 33 (.394) this spring. “Pretty outstanding, everything about it,” Manager Joe Maddon of Upton’s spring. “His body is alive. He’s moving well on defense, moving well on the bases. The swing is spectacular.” ... Mike Trout ripped a double into the gap in left-center and a single into left, his second straight two-hit game. After a slow start, Trout is now 9 for 31 (.290) . ... Anthony Rendon just missed a homer, with his drive getting caught by center fielder Michael A. Taylor at the fence . ... Dexter Fowler hit a ground-rule double to left-center while batting left-handed. Fowler is 6 for 31 (.194) this spring. DEFENSE REPORT: Iglesias made a diving stop behind second and then threw to first with his back on the ground, in time to get the out. “Wow, Wow,” Quintana said. “When the ball passed me I thought it was going to be a base hit. I don’t know how he caught that ball. It’s unbelievable.” Maddon added: “That’s one of those nearly impossible things. I don’t know how he threw it.” ... Rendon fielded a hopper, stepped on third and threw to first for an inning-ending double play, defusing a bases-loaded jam . ... Second baseman Luis Rengifo attempted to get an out at third, but his throw hit Jorge Soler in the back, for an error . ... Catcher Kurt Suzuki caught a popup while stepping around the folding chairs where Angels coaches sit next to the dugout . ... First baseman Jose Rojas made a nice play to bring down a high throw from third baseman Phil Gosselin.
UP NEXT: Angels vs. Rockies, today, 1 p.m. PT, Salt River Fields, Fox Sports West, 830 AM