Trout Gets 2 More Hits But Sox Beat Angles, 5-3
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Alexei Ramirez hit an RBI double to help the Chicago White Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3 on Sunday.
Angels starter Hector Santiago came out as a precaution in the third inning after being hit on his left forearm by Conor Gillaspie's line drive. But the left-hander and his manager, Mike Scioscia, both said they thought Santiago could make his next scheduled start.
Santiago said the liner hit "more meat than bone."
After coming off the mound, "it kind of started to get tight," said Santiago, who said it felt like a cramp. "I felt I could have kept going. I think I'll be fine and ready to go (next time)."
Scioscia said: "We'll see, but hopefully he'll be able to make his bullpen (session) and his next start."
Reigning AL MVP Mike Trout was 2 for 2 with a pair of stolen bases and lifted his spring batting average to .556. Trout also scored twice, and in his final trip to the plate he worked a walk against Chicago closer David Robertson after fouling off several pitches.
David Freese homered in the first inning off White Sox starter John Danks.
Melky Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly and Rob Brantly homered for Chicago. Zach Putnam struck out the side in the ninth as the White Sox won for the second time in seven games at their Camelback Ranch spring home.
STARTING TIME
Angels: Despite the way his outing ended, Santiago called it "good all around. I made all of my pitches and everything was where I wanted it."
White Sox: Danks, in his third start of the spring, was hit hard in the first inning, giving up Freese's homer among three hits. Danks went 3 2-3 innings, allowing six hits and no walks with one strikeout.
"It was frustrating," he said. "It was a struggle to get my off speed where I want. I was throwing my fastball to the side of the plate I wanted, (but) it needs to be down a little better. But as the game went on, it got better."
DEFENSIVE GEMS
There were several stellar defensive plays in the game.
White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton threw out Josh Rutledge trying to go from first to third on Daniel Robertson's single in the second inning. Chicago's Gordon Beckham started a nifty double play in the fifth behind David Robertson. And Taylor Featherston, in the mix to replace Howie Kendrick as the Angels' second baseman, impressed Scioscia with an outstanding backhand play at third base in the seventh.
That helps the 25-year-old's chances of making the team as a utility infielder if Rutledge ends up the starter at second.
"Taylor looks great on the practice field and looks great in games," Scioscia said. "It's something we're looking at closely is his ability to play the left side."
GETTING BETTER
Chicago reliever Jesse Crain threw his second live batting-practice session of the spring. Crain, returning from biceps surgery, hasn't pitched since the middle of the 2013 season but said this is the high point of his return so far.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Jered Weaver starts Monday against the Texas Rangers in Surprise.
White Sox: Rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon makes his third spring start Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale.
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