Angels Brew Brewers 3-2

Recap

A full game filled with regulars, the Angels beat the Brewers 3-2 in a close, low scoring one. The team is now 10-6-2 on the spring, with games now seeming to be complete games more than not.

Scoring started in the bottom of the second with Justin Upton gaining a single. He then went first to third on a throwing error and scored on an RBI groundout by Lagares.

It was a low scoring game due to Andrew Heaney’s excellent 5 shutout innings. Although the Angels only had 3 hits in their first 5 innings, with the one run being unearned.

Patrick Sandoval, after an easy first 5 outs, gave up a solo home run to tie to game 1-1- in the 7th. The Angels came back to take the lead in the bottom half with RBI singles by Rengifo and Ward. 3-1 Angels.

The Brewers scored again in the 8th. Two doubles by the Brewers, although one was only a double because Jo Adell misplayed a ball. 3-2 Angels going into the bottom of the 8th, where Jo Adell stuck out looking with a runner on third to end a threat.

Angels play Kansas City tomorrow, same time.

Performances

Pitchers

Andrew Heaney

The lefty struck out the side in his first inning after a leadoff walk. He had an easy second as well, this time a 1-2-3 inning. The third saw a similar easy inning with only one walk and striking out the side again. A 1-2-3 4th and he got to the 5th without allowing a hit. It was a single to Upton.

Heaney pitched 5 innings of one hit shutout ball with 8 strikeouts and 2 walks. It was by far his best outing, spring or otherwise, in a while. He fielded well too, catching a liner right to him and getting a double play out of it.

Andrew Heaney was having a rough spring, so seeing this performance is certainly a relief. The hope is that he will be able to do this in the regular season, a possibility if he stays healthy and doesn’t put too much pressure on himself. He has been worth 5.3 BR WAR in his 6 Angels seasons.

Patrick Sandoval

Patrick, who should have pitched last night, had an easy 1-2-3 6th inning to start his day. His second went easy as well, that is, until he gave up a solo shot to tie the game up.

Davis Daniel

The 2019 7th round draft pick of the Angels had a couple of hard hit balls, giving up a run. But he did pick up his fielder, Jo Adell, and only allowed 1, keeping the lead in tact.

Jake Reed

Reed came in to save the game in a one run game. He did so rather easily, pitching only 9 pitches in an easy 1-2-3 9th. It was not vs the regulars of the Brewers, but it is reassuring after the last outing.

Batters

David Fletcher

Fletcher has been having a fine spring, but the last few days have not been great. Today he went 0-3 which brought his OBP under .400. He didn’t get to show off his glove either, and left after 5 innings.

Jared Walsh

Walsh was a surprise out of nowhere last year, and looks to start at 1B this season. His spring however, has not been pleasant for him, as he has not looked the same. It is hopeful that he turns it around before the season starts. He went 0-3 today with a strikeout.

Mike Trout

Trout has not had a good spring. But he is working on it. After batting practice yesterday, he looks to turn it around today. He went 1-1 with 2 walks, infield single, and not technically a stolen base, stolen base, as he let on a wild pitch that didn’t actually go far at all. Mike didn’t wear his oven mitt, so it may show that he is finally healed.

Anthony Rendon

Rendon is doing well this spring all things considered, power wise at least. His OBP is still under .300 and today did not help, going 0-2 with a walk. Anthony at least showed off his glove and arm, making two good defensive plays.

Justin Upton

Hot Pocket has been rather hot this spring. Hopefully this means we see him like this during the regular season and get a Justin Upton of 2018 again. Not many balls have been hit his way this cactus league so it is hard to evaluate his glove, but what I have seen, it isn’t bad. He went 1-3 with a single and a run scored.

Albert Pujols

Pujols looks more like the Pujols of old rather than Old Man Pujols so far. By that I mean maybe 2016 version, not the St. Louis version. The days off should help. He went 0-3 with a strikeout.

Juan Lagares

Number 19 is looking great and is now more and more likely to be at least the 4th outfielder this year. He started over Fowler today, in a lineup that otherwise looks like a normal game for this year on days before Ohtani pitches. Juan went 0-3 with an RBI groundout.

Kurt Suzuki

The second most experienced active catcher in MLB is here for his catching and defense. He did get a hit today, however, going 1-2 with a single. With how many miles he has on his knees, the backup catcher spot will be getting a lot of work this year.

Jose Iglesias

Thanks to Heaney’s pitching, he did not have much to do today, and went 1-3 with an infield base hit. Thanks to the lack of a 3rd base umpire, his hit kept the inning going, as the fielder tried to throw out a runner at 3B after unable to get Jose.

Juan Graterol

One of the many catchers this spring, Angels fans know him well. Today, he went 1-1- with an infield single. Who knows, he may get time on the MLB club this season depending on things shake out, but do not expect it until later in the year.

Luis Rengifo

The backup infielder has had a smoking hot spring, possibly pushed to do his best by the stiff competition. Luis is hitting .350/.462/.550 this spring and went 1-1 today with an RBI single.

Taylor Ward

Blake is in an in a tough position. As a utility player he has value on the team, as he can play the corners in the outfield and infield, as well as catch when need be. But a jack of all trades, master of none, may not be good enough with this many good players vying for spots. Even so, he is hitting phenomenally, .375/.500/.625. He went 1-1 with an RBI single today.

Jo Adell

The former top Angels prospect is still as raw as ever defensively, misplaying yet another ball, again, in the outfield, turning a single into a double. He also struck out looking with a man on third.

Jack Mayfield

One of the many infielders this spring, Mayfield keeps doing the most to be noticed, making an amazing play that did not quite get a runner out, and reaching on an infield single. Just do not ask him to keep his cool on a stealth mission.