Indians’ split squads both lose

Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz.

The Los Angeles Angels’ potent offense could be getting even better soon.

Vernon Wells and Mark Trumbo hit consecutive homers in Los Angeles’ six-run fifth inning and the Angels finished with 20 hits in a 17-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday in a matchup of split squads.

Indians starter David Huff allowed five runs, four earned, and seven hits in three innings in his third spring appearance. Travis Hafner hit his first spring homer off Angels reliever Scott Downs in the fourth.

Howie Kendrick and Trumbo had three hits each against the Indians and Wells had two hits and five RBIs. Albert Pujos drove in a run and scored twice.

Right-hander Garrett Richards, vying for the No. 5 spot in the Angels’ rotation, gave up three hits in three scoreless innings in his second spring start. He could be the favorite to win the spot since Jerome Williams has not been able to pitch with a strained hamstring.

“I’m trying not to think too much about it,” Richards said.

Richards has been working on new things while trying to impress the coaching staff, one of them being trying not to tip his pitches, something he did in his first start in New York last Aug. 10. He allowed six earned runs in five innings that game.

Richards finished 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in seven appearances last year, including three starts.

Rangers 6, Indians 1

SURPRISE, Ariz.

Michael Young had an hit and scored a run and Derek Holland pitched three solid innings for Texas.

Holland allowed a run on three hits and struck out four for the Rangers.

Kevin Slowey, one of four pitchers contending for the final spot in the Indians’ rotation, gave up two runs on five hits while striking out one in his second spring start.

Shin-Soo Choo had two of Cleveland’s five hits and Michael Brantley drove in the Indians’ run on a third-inning sacrifice fly.