THE GAMES: Although Angels Opening Day starter Yusei Kikuchi had a good day, most of the other Angels pitchers who took the mound in their two games on Friday struggled, on the way to a 9-8 loss to the Kansas City Royals in Tempe, Arizona, and a 12-1 loss to the A’s in Mesa.
PITCHING REPORT: In Tempe, Kikuchi gave up one run in 4⅓ innings, with eight strikeouts. Kikuchi said he’s started to experiment with a sweeper this spring. “It’s a pitch I can keep in my back pocket,” Kikuchi said through his interpreter. “Just pick and choose different spots to use it.” Kikuchi said his final tuneup for the season will be in a minor-league game. … The Angels had a 7-1 lead when left-hander José Quijada entered in the sixth. Quijada gave up six runs while recording just one out. Quijada allowed three hits and walked two. … Right-hander Ben Joyce gave up one run. He had not allowed a run in his first four innings this spring. … In Mesa, left-hander Tyler Anderson gave up six runs in 3⅓ innings. Anderson was pulled with one out in the second inning. He returned to pitch the third and fourth. He faced the first three hitters of the fifth and didn’t retire anyone. … Right-hander Ryan Johnson gave up two runs in two innings. Johnson, who was drafted last year, had not allowed a run in his first five innings.
HITTING REPORT: In Tempe, Luis Rengifo hit a routine grounder to first and reached on an error, and he struck out. Rengifo, who played his first game after being out with hamstring tightness, did not have to run hard while he was on base. He went to second on a walk and then scored easily on Kevin Newman’s two-out double off the fence. … Jorge Soler hit a home run into the trees beyond the left-field fence, the third time this spring he’s done that. He’s hit four homers overall. Soler also doubled off the fence. Soler is 12 for 32 (.375) with an OPS of 1.272 this spring. … Mike Trout singled, driving in a run. He scored from first on Soler’s double. … J.D. Davis had a double, a single and a walk. Davis, who is competing for the final spot on the bench, is 9 for 32 (.281) with an .812 OPS this spring. … In Mesa, Nolan Schanuel had two hits. Schanuel is 10 for 33 (.303) this spring. … The Angels had only seven hits against the A’s.
DEFENSE REPORT: In Tempe, Rengifo played four uneventful innings at third. He did not have any plays. … Trout made a basket catch going toward the fence in right field, saving two runs.
UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Jack Kochanowicz) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (RHP Tobias Myers), Saturday, 1:10 p.m. PT, at Tempe Diablo Stadium, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM
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