Clips (April 22, 2015)

Transcription

1 April 22, 2015 Page 1 of 23 Clips (April 22, 2015)

2 April 22, 2015 Page 2 of 23 Today s Clips Contents FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3) Mike Scioscia addresses Angels bosses' comments on Josh Hamilton Johnny Giavotella, Kole Calhoun give Angels edge against Athletics FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 5) Angels GM Jerry Dipoto: Josh Hamilton to begin rehab in Arizona 'sooner rather than later' Cam Bedrosian is back with the Angels No change in talks between Angels and Huston Street Fryer: Hamilton, Angels should go their separate ways Giavotella gets the Angels bats going in 14-1 win over A's On deck: A's at Angels, Wednesday, 7 p.m. FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 10) Hamilton to begin extended spring shortly Scioscia: Hamilton needs 'a lot of evaluation' Angels call up Bedrosian to give bullpen a fresh arm Santiago's resurgence is just what Angels need Giavotella, Calhoun lead Angels' rout of A's Weaver, Gray set for showdown at Angel Stadium FROM FOX SPORTS WEST (Page 16) Angels offense explodes in win over Oakland FROM THE LA DAILY NEWS (Page 17) Josh Hamilton will report to Angels Arizona facility this week Angels explode for 14 runs in win over sloppy A s FROM ESPN (Page 19) Franchise Four: AL West FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 20) Angels beat A's with 3-run HRs by Giavotella, Calhoun Athletics-Angels Preview

3 April 22, 2015 Page 3 of 23 FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES Mike Scioscia addresses Angels bosses' comments on Josh Hamilton By Bill Shaikin As the Angels prepared to open their Arizona training facility to Josh Hamilton, Manager Mike Scioscia tried Tuesday to explain that his bosses had criticized baseball's drug policy, and not the troubled outfielder himself, when they expressed outrage at an arbitrator's ruling that Hamilton could not be suspended after a substance-abuse relapse. As The Times first reported Monday, the Angels plan to send Hamilton to Arizona "sooner rather than later" to get himself into baseball shape. Scioscia said Tuesday that Hamilton would report to Arizona "this week," after which General Manager Jerry Dipoto said that timetable was "not accurate" and that the team had "not yet determined specific dates." Hamilton, who had shoulder surgery in February, is expected to work out in Arizona for two to three weeks. He would then begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment and could rejoin the Angels in early June. "There is a lot of evaluating that needs to take place, both on and off the field, with Josh," Scioscia said before the Angels defeated the Oakland Athletics, The manager said the Angels would provide Hamilton with "the support and help he needs as a person." Said Scioscia: "That's the first step to getting him prepared to come and play for us. I don't know what form that help is going to take, but it's certainly help that Josh is going to need before he's out there playing on a baseball field." Scioscia did not elaborate, and Dipoto declined to say whether the Angels might ask Hamilton to join a drug rehabilitation program. Such a request could trigger a battle with the players' union, since the arbitrator that had the authority to rule whether Hamilton could be suspended also had the authority to send him into such a program. After the arbitrator determined Hamilton's self-reported relapse did not violate his treatment protocol, Angels President John Carpino said the decision "defies logic" and owner Arte Moreno pointedly declined to say Hamilton would play for the team again. Scioscia said those comments reflected "frustration" that the drug policy did not mandate Hamilton seek help rather than disappointment that he was not suspended. Scioscia said management did not intend to signal that Hamilton would not be welcome to return. "I think our organization has always had a player's best interests at heart," Scioscia said. "I don't think whether there was a suspension involved was the issue. The issue was addressing the needs of a player, and to some extent the burden is on us to get that done." Hamilton, whose relapse reportedly involved cocaine and alcohol, met with Scioscia last week. The manager would not say whether he was aware of Hamilton receiving any help now, saying his conversation with the outfielder was private.

4 April 22, 2015 Page 4 of 23 "This disease is just hideous," Scioscia said. "It's tough to deal with. There's a lot of people that deal with it every day. We have to make sure Josh has the tools and the support he needs to be able to deal with it and get back to doing what he wants to do, which is to play baseball." That the Angels have invited Hamilton to resume workouts at their facilities does not guarantee he will play for the team again. Moreno could try to enforce contract language he says would enable him to walk away from Hamilton's deal, although the union says Moreno has no such recourse and almost certainly would challenge any such effort. Moreno could release Hamilton and pay the $83 million remaining on his contract, or the Angels could try to trade him if another club would pick up even a small portion of the contract. However, if the voices in the Angels clubhouse Monday and Tuesday are any indication, the players are ready to welcome Hamilton back as one of their own. "Everybody in here is going to give him support at every possible level," closer Huston Street said. "He wants to play some baseball," said third baseman David Freese. "Obviously, there are a lot of important things he needs to deal with, but I think he can do that as well as play baseball. If we're progressing in the direction that gets him back on the field, that's great. "The guys in here, we're always thinking about him. I think everybody in here wants him to get on that field and get things going." The Angels are 6-8, but they are two games out of first place in the American League West. "We are a baseball team. We want to win," Street said. "A healthy Josh Hamilton can help you win." Johnny Giavotella, Kole Calhoun give Angels edge against Athletics By Bill Shaikin KEY MOMENT: It appeared C.J. Cron had grounded into a double play to end the second inning, but a replay review indicated Cron had beaten the relay throw to first. The next five batters reached base, with the Angels scoring four times three on a home run by Johnny Giavotella, one on an error by shortstop Marcus Semien. Instead of a scoreless tie after two innings, the Angels led 4-0 and never looked back. AT THE PLATE: Giavotella drove in a career-high four runs, and Kole Calhoun homered and tied a career high with four hits. The Angels bunched their scoring four in the second inning, six in the sixth, four in the seventh and collected 15 hits. Taylor Featherston had his first major league run batted in with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. ON THE MOUND: Angels starter Hector Santiago gave up one run in six innings, with eight strikeouts, and lowered his earned-run average to Oakland first baseman Ike Davis worked the eighth inning and retired the Angels in order, on three ground balls. Davis was the first position player to pitch for the A's in 15 years. Mike Scioscia has managed the Angels for 15 years and never used a position player to pitch.

5 April 22, 2015 Page 5 of 23 EXTRA BASES: Jered Weaver, who starts Wednesday for the Angels, has a 6.61 earned-run average in 161/3 innings this season. The only American League pitcher to throw more innings with a higher ERA, entering play Tuesday: Rick Porcello (6.63), whom the Boston Red Sox signed this month to a four-year, $82.5-million contract extension. The Angels, in need of a fresh bullpen arm, recalled right-hander Cam Bedrosian from triple-a Salt Lake on Tuesday and optioned first baseman-outfielder Efren Navarro there. Salt Lake third baseman Kyle Kubitza is batting.397, with nine doubles in 13 games. Kubitza could replace David Freese as the Angels' third baseman next season. UP NEXT: Weaver (0-2, 6.61 ERA) faces the Athletics' Sonny Gray (1-0, 2.11) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: Channel 13; Radio: 830, FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Angels GM Jerry Dipoto: Josh Hamilton to begin rehab in Arizona 'sooner rather than later' BY JEFF FLETCHER ANAHEIM - Josh Hamilton, whose last two months have been clouded by his self-reported relapse of drug use and shoulder surgery, is finally on his way back to the baseball field, although there is still no guarantee he'll play in the majors with the Angels. The embattled outfielder will begin baseball workouts at the club's spring training facility in Tempe, Ariz., "sooner rather than later," General Manager Jerry Dipoto said Tuesday morning. There is no timetable for how long Hamilton would be in Arizona, but he'd presumably then begin a minor league rehab assignment, which could last up to 20 days. "Sometime in the not too distant future, we will get him back on the field and begin the process of rehabbing the injury," Dipoto said. "We don't have a defined date for when it begins and when it ends." Hamilton has been in the Houston area rehabbing from right shoulder surgery for more than two months, without joining the team either in spring training or the regular season. After Hamilton's self-reported relapse of drug and alcohol use went undisciplined, Angels owner Arte Moreno said the club could take action to get relief of the remaining $83 million of his contract and suggested Hamilton may not play for the Angels again. However, the latest news suggests that Hamilton will, at least, put on an Angels uniform in Arizona. "It's really exciting," said Kole Calhoun, who is close enough to Hamilton that he met him for lunch last week in Houston. "It would be great to have him in the clubhouse. The guy is an MVP. Obviously, it would be awesome to have him in here. He's a great team guy. He definitely brings a lot to the table." Huston Street, who did not meet Hamilton last week and played with him for only a couple months last year, also said it's good news.

6 April 22, 2015 Page 6 of 23 "We are a baseball team and we want to win," Street said, "and a healthy Josh Hamilton can help you win." Manager Mike Scioscia said Hamilton's time in Arizona would be more than the seven or eight days it takes position players to get ready to play exhibition games at the start of spring training. "I don t think it'll happen that quickly," Scioscia said. "We'll see where Josh is. There's a lot of evaluating that needs to take place on and off the field with Josh. I think he's itching to get going. This is an important first step but you have to address some issues before he's out here plaing a major league game. That s where the help and support that can be provided by an organization." Scioscia said the organization's primary concern all along has been making sure that Hamilton has been getting the treatment he needs for his addiction. "This disease is just hideous," Scioscia said. "It's terrible. There are lot of people that deal with it every day. We want to make sure Josh has the tools and support in place to deal with it, and get back to doing what he wants to do and that s play baseball. This is an important first step to doing that." Where this process ends up remains unclear, and it's likely the Angels haven't even decided how they will proceed. Moreno's comments indicated a rift between the Hamilton and the club, one that still may not be healed. If the Angels want to rid themselves of Hamilton, they have three avenues to do so, and all are still possible. The Angels could release Hamilton, eating the entire amount of the contract. They could trade Hamilton, most likely absorbing almost the entire contract. The team and Hamilton could also negotiate a settlement, terminating the deal for something less than the full value. The fourth alternative is to do none of the above and have Hamilton rejoin the Angels once he is able to play. In that case, the team would at least get a better idea of how he could contribute on the field, giving further information to proceed. "Every day brings a little more clarity to the situation," Scioscia said. Cam Bedrosian is back with the Angels BY JEFF FLETCHER ANAHEIM - Cam Bedrosian returned to the Angels with a chance to reclaim his spot as one of the organization's most promising relief prospects. Bedrosian, who was recalled Tuesday because the Angels needed an extra arm in the bullpen, had not allowed a run in eight innings this season at Triple-A. He had no walks and 13 strikeouts. "I have been throwing the ball well I think," Bedrosian said. "Once I got sent down (in spring training) there were a couple things I was working on and so far it's working."

7 April 22, 2015 Page 7 of 23 Bedrosian tore through the minors with a 2.00 ERA last year, but in the majors he had a 6.52 ERA. Manager Mike Scioscia said Bedrosian needed to improve his fastball command. The Angels needed an extra arm because Mike Morin had pitched in the previous three games and Jose Alvarez had pitched three innings Monday, meaning both were likely unavailable Tuesday. Efren Navarro was optioned to make room for Bedrosian, leaving the Angels with a three-man bench and an eight-man bullpen. It's not a roster that is workable for too long, but there's no way to say what move they will make to get back to a seven-man bullpen. Navarro can't be recalled for 10 days unless someone goes on the disabled list. No change in talks between Angels and Huston Street BY JEFF FLETCHER ANAHEIM -- Huston Street said Tuesday his agent has not let him know of any major developments in negotiations with the Angels in the two weeks since the closer last addressed the situation. Street, who hired Alan Hendricks to take over the negotiation after he had represented himself for most of the process, is seeking a four-year deal worth $36 million to $46 million. Street would like the new deal to begin in 2015, superceding the $7 million he is set to make under the final year of his current contract. One holdup could be that general manager Jerry Dipoto has been busy with the Josh Hamilton situation. Street is perfect in four save opportunities, retiring all 12 batters he has faced, with six strikeouts. Fryer: Hamilton, Angels should go their separate ways BY STEVE FRYER Touring the sports world, here and there... There is too much water under the bridge. And that water is polluted. The Angels can t keep Josh Hamilton. Team owner Arte Moreno s hardball approach is logical and easy to understand we ve kept our side of the big bargain, Josh, you sure as heck have not. On the other side, Hamilton is widely acknowledged as a good soul with a problem that has felled many a good soul. Now more than ever, Hamilton needs the type of understanding and patience the Angels as an organization might not be willing to offer. As weary as Moreno is with Hamilton, Angels fans are more so. This is baseball country. People here know what an uninspired at-bat looks like and Hamilton has provided way too many of those in an Angels uniform.

8 April 22, 2015 Page 8 of 23 If he does return to the Angels this season and at some home game has another 0-for-4 night pulling outside pitches into weak 4-3 putouts and makes that where am I stroll back to the dugout, he is going to get booed worse than any Angel player since Gary Matthews Jr.? Mo Vaughn? Alex Johnson? Moreno s unfortunately public pronouncement that the club might attempt recourse to save some of the money devoted to Hamilton, and the players union responding that no such recourse exists, would be part of the noise. Outside of the clubhouse, Angel Stadium is not going to be the supportive work environment Hamilton will need. Athletes have us-against-the-world mentalities, which is great except when that world includes their own organization s hierarchy. The fellas rally around fallen teammates. Angels manager Mike Scisoscia sure has one heck of a job on his hands. Doesn t it just feel like that Thursday 4 p.m. Oakland-Angels game at Angel Stadium is going to be one of the lower-attended games of recent years? A fun way to get to a Sunday Angels game is via the bike trails along the Santa Ana River. Consider a park-and-bike option if that makes most sense to your residence. Angel Stadium has bike racks behind right field and it s fine to lock them along the fencing if you get the OK from the always-friendly ushers. Just keep aware of your beverage intake for that return bike ride. Going into Tuesday s game, the Angels had a team batting average of.214 on 91 hits in 426 at-bats. Take away Mike Trout s 17 hits in 48 at bats, the Angels were 74 for 378 for a.196 batting average. On a related note, going into Tuesday s game in San Francisco, Dodgers second baseman and ex- Angel Howie Kendrick was fourth in the National League in slugging percentage (.674) and tied for fifth in doubles (six) and was batting.370 with 10 RBI. Giavotella gets the Angels bats going in 14-1 win over A's BY JEFF FLETCHER ANAHEIM Johnny Giavotella now has his first Angels Moment. Giavotella, who spent the bulk of his career feeling unappreciated, is embracing a fresh start with a new team. And on Tuesday night, he truly rewarded the Angels for their confidence in him, by delivering the opening blast in what would become a rollicking 14-1 victory over the Oakland A s. It feels great helping this team win, said Giavotella, whose first homer with the Angels put three runs on the board in the second inning. This team from Day One of spring training has welcomed me with open arms. It s great to have guys get around you and root for you on the bench. Acquired from a Kansas City Royals team that he felt didn t give him a shot, Giavotella was the unlikely winner of the Angels second base derby in the spring. Through his first two weeks as the everyday second baseman, Giavotella and that Mike Trout guy have been the only two players consistently producing.

9 April 22, 2015 Page 9 of 23 The result was a team hitting.214, with a three-game losing streak. After just 13 games, though, the numbers can change quickly. And the Angels 15-hit outburst raised their average to.228. Giavotella, who is now hitting.317, struck the first blow with his three-run homer, and Kole Calhoun struck the last. His three-run homer in the seventh was his fourth hit of the night. David Freese, Erick Aybar and C.J. Cron each had two hits. Cron, who came into the game hitting.129, made perhaps his biggest contribution with his legs, though. Cron had apparently hit into a double play, ending the second inning. As the A s were running off the field, Manager Mike Scioscia challenged that Cron had beaten the play at first. After a review, the umpires agreed, and Drew Pomeranz went back to the mound. Angels starter Hector Santiago could empathize. That s probably a tough situation, Santiago said. You think you re out of it and you re pumped. You almost shut off your mind. To get back into it is tough, no doubt. That s definitely a tough situation, you could see it. Twenty five pitches later, Pomeranz had allowed Giavotella s three-run homer and another run on an error. The Angels were up 4-0. Giavotella later came through with a line-drive single more the type of hit the Angels expect from the 5-foot-8 infielder to spark a six-run sixth. The line-drive single is more his game, Scioscia said. For a little guy he s got a little bit of power. He showed it tonight. That s a huge hit. The floodgates opened and the Angels doused the A s with so many runs that they opted to use first baseman Ike Davis to pitch the eighth inning. The bats came alive, Giavotella said. We were swinging with a lot of confidence tonight. There is no panic in this locker room. We have a lot of belief in what we can do. The talent is endless. The bats will come alive more so than not and we ll be fine. On deck: A's at Angels, Wednesday, 7 p.m. BY JEFF FLETCHER Where: Angel Stadium TV: KCOP/13, 7 p.m. Did you know: The A s have lost four games in the last at-bat this season, most in the majors.

10 April 22, 2015 Page 10 of 23 THE PITCHERS RHP JERED WEAVER (0-2, 6.61) Weaver is coming off the best of his three outings this year, a six-inning, two-run performance Friday in Houston. Weaver s velocity has still been down from his normal level, but he had better command against the Astros. Weaver s ERA against the A s is his best against any of the four other AL West teams. Vs. A s: 13-9, 2.49 At Angel Stadium: 69-29, 2.71 Loves to face: Billy Butler, 6 for 29 (.207) Hates to face: Eric Sogard, 9 for 25 (.360) RHP SONNY GRAY (1-0, 2.11) The 25-year-old has become the ace of the A s, and arguably the only player on the team whose role seems secure for the next couple years. Gray has a career 2.08 ERA in eight April starts. He has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his three starts, although he gave up three unearned runs his last time out. Vs. Angels: 2-1, 2.68 At Angel Stadium: 0-0, 3.00 Loves to face: Albert Pujols, 1 for 13 (.077) Hates to face: Erick Aybar, 5 for 14 (.357) FROM ANGELS.COM Hamilton to begin extended spring shortly By Alden Gonzalez ANAHEIM -- Josh Hamilton was recently cleared for baseball activities, and the Angels are putting together a plan that would involve him working out in their Arizona-based extended spring program "in the not-too-distant future," general manager Jerry Dipoto said. The team is still sorting through details and has yet to communicate them to Hamilton, who has been rehabbing from shoulder surgery in Houston since early February. An announcement is expected by the end of the week.

11 April 22, 2015 Page 11 of 23 "Josh is now to the point where we're beginning the process of preparing to return him to the field, and that's going to begin at some point in the not-too-distant future in Tempe," Dipoto said in a phone conversation on Tuesday morning. "We don't have a specific date for that, and we haven't talked through the details with Josh at this point. We're still very much in the planning zone. Like any other player, he's going to begin an on-field rehab process, and that will begin sooner rather than later. But we still don't have any defined dates." Hamilton could work out there for a couple of weeks, then take part in a rehab assignment at one of their affiliates for up to 20 days -- the maximum amount of time allowed for position players on the disabled list -- and perhaps be ready to return to the Majors sometime in June. The Angels still have to determine where Hamilton is in terms of his overall preparedness to play, particularly what kind of running exercises he's been doing. They know he's been hitting a lot, taking 200-plus swings a day since March, and teammates who recently saw him raved about his physical condition. "He's all of 250 pounds," said Angels third baseman David Freese, who joined Collin Cowgill and Kole Calhoun for lunch with Hamilton on Thursday, while the team was in Houston. "But I think there's a lot of things going on between him and the Angels that nobody knows about. That's between them, and it's really going on behind closed doors." Every option is still at play for Hamilton, who's owed $83 million through the 2017 season and has a full no-trade clause. The Angels could look to trade him, they could release him -- which means they assume his entire remaining salary -- or they could eventually fold him back into the team. Angels owner Arte Moreno said on April 10 that Hamilton's contract contains language that gives the team recourse in the event of a drug- or alcohol-related relapse, a point the Major League Baseball Players Association quickly refuted. Moreno could try to act on those provisions, which would undoubtedly lead to an arbitration hearing between the MLBPA and the Commissioner's Office, but he has yet to decide on that, a source said. The Angels didn't issue Hamilton a locker at Tempe Diablo Stadium or Angel Stadium, where any merchandise or images depicting the five-time All-Star have been removed. Asked if Hamilton will return to the team at some point, Moreno said, "I will not say that." If the Angels' offense continues to struggle -- they ranked 21st in runs and 26th in OPS after Monday's 6-3 loss to the A's -- perhaps there will be more willingness to bring Hamilton back. For now, all they can do is take the next step in his rehabilitation from Feb. 4 surgery to his right AC joint. "We are prepared to begin the rehabilitation process on the field sooner rather than later," said Dipoto. "We don't have a specific date that we've coordinated yet, but we're getting to that."

12 April 22, 2015 Page 12 of 23 Scioscia: Hamilton needs 'a lot of evaluation' By Earl Bloom ANAHEIM -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday that outfielder Josh Hamilton (right shoulder surgery) will report to the club's training facility in Arizona in the near future to begin baseball activities. "We'll see where Josh is," the manager said. "A lot of evaluating needs to take place, both on and off the field. I know Josh is itching to get going. "I think it's an important first step. Hopefully he makes a seamless transition into baseball activities and gets into rehab games soon." An arbitrator ruled at the beginning of the month that Hamilton could not be suspended after he selfreported a violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program during the offseason. "Every day, I think, brings a little bit of clarity to the situation," said Scioscia, who talked to Hamilton while the Angels were in Houston over the weekend. "The help and support needed will be provided." Hamilton, 34, was the 2010 American League MVP while with the Texas Rangers. This is his third season with the Angels, who still owe him $83 million on a five-year, $125 million free-agent contract signed before the 2013 season. "It's encouraging that there's progress, in a baseball direction," Angels closer Huston Street said of Hamilton heading to Arizona. "This is a better club with a healthy Josh Hamilton." Angels call up Bedrosian to give bullpen a fresh arm By Earl Bloom ANAHEIM -- The Angels recalled right-handed reliever Cam Bedrosian from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday afternoon and optioned first baseman/outfielder Efren Navarro to the same club. "Some of the guys in our 'pen are throwing well, but they have also been throwing a lot, so we needed a little depth," manager Mike Scioscia said before the Halos' game against the Athletics at Angel Stadium. Bedrosian, 23, made the jump from Class A to Double-A to Triple-A to the Angels last season, appearing in 17 Major League games (0-1, 6.52 ERA). The 2010 first-round pick made four appearances for Salt Lake this season, all of them the multiple-inning variety. In eight innings, he struck out 13, walked none, gave up four hits and didn't walk a batter. Navarro, 28, hit.200 in eight games (15 at-bats), with one double for the Angels. His departure leaves the club with just 12 position players.

13 April 22, 2015 Page 13 of 23 Santiago's resurgence is just what Angels need By Earl Bloom ANAHEIM -- Left-hander Hector Santiago set the tone for the Angels on Tuesday night, striking out the side in the first and working through six sharp innings that an overworked bullpen needed. His offense delivered 15 hits, scoring four runs in the second inning, six in the sixth and four in the seventh to power a 14-1 victory over the Athletics at Angel Stadium, the Angels' first win at home in five tries this season. "I said, 'Yes!' It was like they like playing behind me now," said Santiago (2-1), who was winless in his first 11 starts with the Angels, often lacking run support in the first half of last season. "Everything was working tonight, all five or six pitches that I throw, I threw for strikes," added Santiago, who struck out eight and gave up just three hits, including a Billy Butler home run in the third inning after the Angels took a 4-0 lead. Santiago threw 101 pitches, and after the Angels made it 10-1 in the sixth, manager Mike Scioscia decided that was enough. "Hector started out with great life on his fastball," Scioscia said. "He did a good job pitching inside and had a good breaking ball, too. He was confident, and he gave us six strong innings." The result was a lopsided one, but the call of the night that led to the Angels' avalanche was made by designated hitter C.J. Cron in the second inning. He hustled down the line on a grounder that forced out Erick Aybar at second, and when first-base umpire Mike Muchlinski called Cron out at first on the relay throw, completing an inning-ending double play, Cron heard the call and waved his finger, like Dikembe Mutombo, to disagree. Scioscia challenged, and a replay review overturned the call -- which extended the inning and led to the first four Angels runs, including three on second baseman Johnny Giavotella's first Angels home run. "I don't know what I was doing," Cron said of his finger-wave. "I thought I was safe, for sure. I saw the call, and I said, 'No, no.' "It was huge. We needed to score some runs with two out." Right fielder Kole Calhoun went 4-for-5, including a three-run homer in the seventh. Giavotella had two hits, and a career-best four RBIs. "It was a good win for us," Giavotella said. "This team has been kind of struggling. Tonight, our bats woke up and we did what we're capable of doing." Cron added a couple of hits to the Angels' outburst, a single and a double, both to the opposite field. "I feel better, a lot better," said Cron, who started the season 0-for-13 but is 6-for-23 since. "I had a little bit of a slump early, but I wasn't worried."

14 April 22, 2015 Page 14 of 23 Giavotella, Calhoun lead Angels' rout of A's By Earl Bloom ANAHEIM -- Johnny Giavotella and Kole Calhoun each hit a three-run home run, and Giavotella added an RBI single in a six-run sixth inning as the Angels routed the A's, 14-1, on Tuesday night to even this four-game series at Angel Stadium at a game apiece. Los Angeles left-hander Hector Santiago limited the A's to just three hits, including a solo home run from Billy Butler in the third, over six innings, walking three and striking out eight. A's starter Drew Pomeranz was on the hook for five runs (four earned) in five-plus innings. "Everything was working tonight, all five or six pitches that I throw, I threw for strikes," said Santiago." It was right-handed reliever R.J. Alvarez who was on the mound for the sloppy sixth inning. A pair of wild pitches led to a run ahead of consecutive singles by David Freese, Erick Aybar and Collin Cowgill. The A's made two errors in the inning and three on the night. Alvarez was charged with seven runs in one-plus inning. "Just a bad game all the way around," said A's manager Bob Melvin. The A's best pitcher of the night? First baseman Ike Davis, who put together a eighth inning while becoming the first Oakland position player to pitch in a game since Frank Menechino did it July 18, 2000, at Colorado. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Johnny G. good: Giavotella's first home run with the Angels, a two-out three-run shot to left field in the second inning, came two batters after a successful challenge by Mike Scioscia led to an overturned out call on the back end of a would-be inning-ending double play. "I was kind of struggling with runners in scoring position," said Giavotella, who finished with a careerhigh four RBIs. "It was good to give the ballclub a boost." Plead the sixth: Things quickly went from bad to worse for the A's in the sixth inning, when a deficit of three runs turned into nine. Pomeranz offered up a leadoff double to C.J. Cron, and Alvarez proceeded to allow a pair of one-out singles to Giavotella and Calhoun, leading to a run. After three more hits, two wild pitches and two A's errors, the six-run frame finally came to an end. Santiago mows 'em down: Santiago, sharp from the beginning, struck out eight A's in six innings while allowing only three hits. Butler's home run accounted for the only run allowed by Santiago, who picked up his second win with a second straight gem. "Hector started out with great life on his fastball," Scioscia said. "He did a good job pitching in, and had a good breaking ball, too. He was confident, and he gave us six strong innings." QUOTABLE "You get what you deserve, more or less." -- Brett Lawrie, when asked what he thought of the Royals' Kelvin Herrera's five-game suspension for throwing at him on Sunday

15 April 22, 2015 Page 15 of 23 "It's encouraging that there's progress, in a baseball direction. This is a better club with a healthy Josh Hamilton." -- Angels closer Huston Street, reacting to the news that injured outfielder will resume baseball activities in Arizona soon UPON FURTHER REVIEW A second-inning replay review overturned an out call on Cron at first base, wiping out the back end of an inning-ending double play. After a Chris Iannetta single sent Cron to second base, Giavotella hit his fifth Major League homer. An error on A's shortstop Marcus Semien let in a fourth run in the inning. "Once Cron started signaling, we knew there was no way he was out," Giavotella said. "It was big." WHAT'S NEXT Angels: Right-hander Jered Weaver (0-2, 6.61) bids for his first victory in his fourth start of the season on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium in the third game of the four-game series against the A's at 7:05 p.m. PT. He's 13-9 career vs. Oakland in 30 starts. A's: Sonny Gray will face Weaver in a battle of Opening Day starters. Gray is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in eight career April starts and he's 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in six appearances (five starts) against the Angels. Weaver, Gray set for showdown at Angel Stadium By Earl Bloom Angels right-hander Jered Weaver squares off with Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium in a matchup of Opening Day starters. Weaver (0-2, 6.61 ERA) is coming off the best of this first three starts, a six-inning no-decision Friday at Houston. He allowed two earned runs in an eventual 6-3 Angels victory, with left-hander Cesar Ramos picking up his first win for the franchise in relief. Unlike Weaver, who struggled in his first two starts, Gray (1-0, 2.11) had quality starts in his first two outings. In his third, Friday's 6-4 A's loss at Kansas City, Gray allowed 11 hits and four earned runs in a six-inning no-decision. Gray is 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in six appearances (five starts) against the Angels. Weaver's career mark against the A's is 13-9, 2.94 on 30 starts. Three things to know: Gray is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in eight career April starts. Weaver was 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA in four starts against the A's in Gray is 13-5 with a 2.14 ERA in 24 career appearances against American League West teams and 7-8 with a 3.84 ERA in 24 outings against everyone else.

16 April 22, 2015 Page 16 of 23 FROM FOX SPORTS WEST Angels offense explodes in win over Oakland By Rahshaun Haylock ANAHEIM, CALIF. What drought? The Angels bats were working just fine on Tuesday night. You couldn't tell there was anything wrong with the club's offense as it produced a season high in runs in a 14-1 win over Oakland at Angel Stadium. Pick your poison. There hasn't been much talk all season about the length of the Angels lineup but on Tuesday it appeared as long as the line at your local DMV. Halos were hitting from top to bottom. It was a four-hit night for Kole Calhoun in the leadoff spot. In the 9-hole it was a two-hit, four-rbi kind of night for second baseman Johnny Giavotella. They each had a three-run home run in the game. And then there were the nine hits scattered throughout the rest of the lineup in between them. By the end of the night, the A's sent first baseman Ike Davis to the mound to end the night. While the A's will be looking to turn the page, it very well could be one of those nights a corner is turned for the Angels. "I think we know it's going to happen somewhere where we get that continuity of that deep lineup and, hopefully, tonight will be a catalyst for that," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. The Angels put together some big innings, batting around twice on Tuesday night once in the second inning and once in the sixth. The catalysts were Giavotella and Calhoun, respectively. Giavotella's three-run home run came with two outs in the second inning of a scoreless game. C.J. Cron beat out a double play that would have ended the inning. The play was reviewed and Cron was ruled safe. "(That) kept the inning together," Scioscia said. Two batters later, Giavotella came up with two runners on and hit a pitch over the wall in left field to put the Angels up 3-0. "For me to get a big knock like that meant a lot to me and I was glad to give the ballclub a boost," Giavotella said. It would be a four-run inning for the Angels, which was much more than they would need on this night. Giavotella later drove in a run on an RBI single in the Angles six-run sixth inning to give him a careerhigh four RBI on the night while helping the Angels win at home for the first time this season.

17 April 22, 2015 Page 17 of 23 "This team has, kind of, struggled to put runs on the board but tonight the bats woke up and we did what we're capable of doing," Giavotella said. "We have a lot of confidence in this lineup (from) top to bottom and we came and played great tonight." FROM THE LA DAILY NEWS Josh Hamilton will report to Angels Arizona facility this week By Clay Fowler ANAHEIM >> Josh Hamilton will finally rejoin the Angels organization when he reports to the team s spring training facility in Arizona sometime this week, according to manager Mike Scioscia. The embattled slugger has been rehabilitating his shoulder in Houston since undergoing surgery in February. He is going through a divorce on the heels of a self-reported drug and alcohol relapse that went unpunished by Major League Baseball, drawing ire from the Angels owner and front office. Though Hamilton will resume baseball activities under the organization s umbrella, it remains unclear if or when he will rejoin the parent club. Owner Arte Moreno wouldn t guarantee Hamilton would be granted that opportunity, stating April 10 that there is language in his contract that a substance-abuse relapse could compromise the remaining three years and $83 million he is owed. Scioscia said the Angels will provide support in Arizona for Hamilton s off-field problems, something the Angels weren t sure was put in place by MLB or the players union. There s a lot of evaluating that needs to be taking place, both on and off the field with Josh, Scioscia said. I know that he s itching to get going and this is an important step, but you need to address some issues before he s out there playing in a major-league game and I think that s why the help and support is being provided to him by our organization. It is something of a 180-degree turn for the Angels to offer help to Hamilton after such public expressions of disappointment by Moreno and general manager Jerry Dipoto. Team president John Carpino initially lashed out after Hamilton wasn t ruled to have violated his drug program under MLB and therefore wasn t punished. Carpino later softened his stance, saying the Angels need to get Hamilton help. Angels closer Huston Street said he is happy he isn t making any decisions on Hamilton s future. You just want him to get better in every sense of the word, Street said. He s got family. He s got kids. Those are massively important issues, far more important than baseball, in my opinion. But we are a baseball team and we want to win. And a healthy Josh Hamilton can help you win. Hamilton was a tremendous disappointment during his first two seasons with the Angels, but a performance consistent with his 31 home runs and 123 RBIs the last two seasons combined would be a major upgrade right now. His two primary replacements, outfielder Matt Joyce and designated hitter C.J. Cron, entered Tuesday batting.167 and.129, respectively.

18 April 22, 2015 Page 18 of 23 When asked about his confidence in Hamilton to produce offensively when he recovers, Scioscia s statement began in a much more negative tone than it finished. We ll see. He s shown flashes of it, Scioscia said. But we have a lot of confidence in what Josh can still do on the field. But we have to get him at a certain point to where he s a whole person to be able to go out there and do it. He s been through a whole lot. BEDROSIAN CALLED UP Right-handed reliever Cam Bedrosian was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake City to add depth to a taxed Angels bullpen. Infielder Efren Navarro was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the roster. Bedrosian made 17 appearances for the Angels last year, posting a 6.52 ERA in 19 innings, but the club s 2010 first-round draft pick hasn t allowed a run or a walk in the minors this season. In eight innings for Salt Lake City, the 23-year-old has allowed six hits and struck out 13. Some of the guys in our pen are throwing very well, but they re throwing a lot of innings, Scioscia said. So we need to get a little more depth. Angels explode for 14 runs in win over sloppy A s By Clay Fowler ANAHEIM >> The Angels offensive awakening was enough. Couple it with the Athletics defensive slumber and the result was sure to be lopsided. The Angels 14-1 win Tuesday night represented the club s highest run total at home in more than a year. In their 15th game of the season, the A s three errors boosted their major league-leading total to 15. Hector Santiago s second impressive start certainly isn t to be forgotten. The Angels lefty allowed one run for the second consecutive outing, striking out eight and allowing three hits in six innings. Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella collected a career-high four RBIs, three courtesy of a home run in a second inning extended by a replay challenge that reversed a call. The Angels lead was 10-1 before a seventh inning, three-run home run by Kole Calhoun, who finished 4 for 5 and scored three runs. Angels manager Mike Scioscia believes the offensive outburst may change things going forward for an offense that entered the game with a collective.216 batting average that ranked 26th out of 30 major league teams. I think it s safe to say we re going to swing the bats better than we have up until tonight, Scioscia said. We ve had some good hitters trying to hit stride...hopefully tonight will be a catalyst for that.

19 April 22, 2015 Page 19 of 23 The A s defense degenerated into a mess in the Angels six-run sixth inning, committing the last of two errors on a comedic play featuring a pair of overthrown attempts to put out Erick Aybar, one of five Angels with at least two hits on the night. The A s began to unravel after Scioscia won his initial replay challenge of the season. C.J. Cron was called out at first base to complete an inning-ending double play in the second, but the replay showed he was safe, albeit by a fraction of a second. A s starter Drew Pomeranz returned to the mound only to allow three consecutive hits before his team s first error of the night netted the inning s fourth run. That s a tough situation right there because you think you re out of it and you almost shut off your mind, Santiago said of Pomeranz. He probably walked off like Double play, all right we re good. He was kind of holding us down then all of a sudden we went off. Giavotella s three-run home run was the key hit in the second inning. It was just the fifth home run of the second baseman s five-year career, further evidenced by his exuberant trot around the bases. For me to hit a home run, I have to get all of it, Giavotella said. I felt great right there and I was kind of overwhelmed with excitement, so I had to show it right there. Hitting in the No. 9 spot Howie Kendrick s replacement hasn t been part of the Angels offensive struggles. Giavotella was the only member of the team besides Mike Trout to enter Tuesday with a batting average better than.230. He went 2 for 3 to raise his average to.317, part of an effort that has provided Santiago 24 runs of support in his last two starts. It s like Yes they like playing behind me now, Santiago said. Last two games it s been 24 runs for me. I think that s all I had all of last year was 24 runs. So it s nice and you definitely get some more confidence. FROM ESPN Franchise Four: AL West By David Schoenfield Los Angeles Angels Career leaders in WAR: 1. Chuck Finley, Jim Fregosi, Tim Salmon, Nolan Ryan, 40.2

20 April 22, 2015 Page 20 of Brian Downing, Jered Weaver, Bobby Grich, Frank Tanana, Darin Erstad, Mike Trout, Garret Anderson, 28.0 Yes, Trout is already 10th on the club's all-time WAR list, which is just sick. Are you surprised by Finley's ranking? He spent 14 years with the club and won 165 games with a 3.72 ERA. He only picked up Cy Young votes once but had 7-WAR seasons in 1990 and 1993 and was a five-time All-Star. He was good. Fregosi was the team's shortstop in the 1960s when the team wasn't making the postseason. He was a good fielder with some power who made six All-Star appearances. He's best remembered, however, for getting traded to the Mets for Ryan. Downing was the underrated stalwart of the 1980s, Salmon the underrated stalwart of the 1990s. Anderson is the club's all-time leader in plate appearances, RBIs, runs and hits. So, who best defines the Angels? Certainly Ryan. I think you have to include Finley. The other two choices are tougher, but I feel like going fishing. My picks: Ryan, Finley, Salmon, Trout FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Angels beat A's with 3-run HRs by Giavotella, Calhoun ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels had a pretty easy time against Oakland pitching -- until they faced first baseman Ike Davis. Johnny Giavotella hit a three-run homer, his first for the Angels after the second inning was extended by a replay review, and the defending AL West champions routed the Athletics 14-1 Tuesday night to end a three-game skid. Giavotella had a career-high four RBIs and Kole Calhoun tied a career-best with four hits, including a three-run homer. Giavotella was acquired in a trade from Kansas City in December and won the second base job in spring training after Howie Kendrick was dealt to the Dodgers. "It feels great helping this team win," said Giavotella, who also had an RBI single. "From day one in spring training, this team has welcomed me with open arms. They believe in me, and it's great to have guys that rally around you and root for you on the bench."

21 April 22, 2015 Page 21 of 23 Davis, the son of former Yankees pitcher Ron Davis, retired Collin Cowgill, C.J. Cron and Chris Iannetta with groundballs and threw only nine pitches. Instead of warming up in the bullpen, the left-hander did it in the indoor batting cage after volunteering to manager Bob Melvin. "It was interesting for sure," said Davis, who had a 2.25 ERA at Arizona State. "I'm just glad I threw strikes and didn't have to throw too many pitches. I miss that part of the game, and I've always wanted to get back up there and see what I could do and if I could get outs. I was a little nervous. I didn't want to walk the house and look like a clown out there." It was the first time the A's had a position player pitch since Frank Menechino on July 18, 2000, against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. "You never like facing a guy like that because it's a lose-lose situation," Cron said. "I got a good pitch to hit, but I hit it right into the ground. He got three outs, so he did his job. He pitched in college, so he knows what he's doing." Hector Santiago (2-1) allowed a run and three hits in six innings and struck out eight. Drew Pomeranz (1-2) gave up five runs -- four earned -- and eight hits in five-plus innings and fanned six. The left-hander thought he was out of the second inning unscathed, after third baseman Brett Lawrie charged Cron's slow bouncer up the line and got the force at second on Erick Aybar before Eric Sogard relayed to first. Cron was called out by umpire Mike Muchlinski, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia asked the crew to take a second look and Cron was declared safe. "I felt like (Muchlinski) took a little bit of time, and then I saw him call me out -- but I knew I was safe for sure," Cron said. "Then we got something going there." Pomeranz ended up making 25 extra pitches that inning and gave up four runs before getting the third out. Giavotella homered on a full count. "One of the things we do well is see a lot of pitches. We battle and don't give in with two strikes," Giavotella said. Calhoun then singled, Mike Trout walked on four pitches, and Calhoun scored the fourth run when shortstop Marcus Semien misplayed Albert Pujols' grounder for his fifth error in 15 games. Billy Butler got the A's on the board in the third with a two-out homer, their last hit until Mark Canta's one-out infield single in the eighth. But Pomeranz was charged with another run after Cron chased him with a leadoff double during a sixrun sixth that included three errors by the A's, two wild pitches by R.J. Alvarez, and increased the Angels' lead to "We obviously didn't play a clean game," Melvin said. "We've been on the other side of blowouts this year, and it doesn't feel that great when you're on the side we were tonight. It was just a bad game all the way around. At least we got a little levity at the end there with Ike." TRAINER'S ROOM

22 April 22, 2015 Page 22 of 23 Athletics: 2B-OF Ben Zobrist missed his second straight game because of an injured left knee. Angels: Scioscia said OF Josh Hamilton (shoulder) is close to beginning an extended spring program in Arizona. UP NEXT Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray (1-0) faced the Angels in three of his final eight starts last season, going at least seven innings each time. He is coming off a no-decision at Kansas City in which he gave up four runs and 11 hits over six innings. Angels: RHP Jered Weaver (0-2) had a 6.61 ERA in his first three outings. The 10-year veteran and me All-Star, who won 18 games last year, has never gone winless in his first four starts of a major league season. Athletics-Angels Preview After struggling in his first two starts, Jered Weaver looked more like the pitcher who has led the league in victories in two of the last three seasons his last time out. A home start against the Oakland Athletics should help him see further improvement -- and pick up his first win. A night after the Los Angeles Angels roughed up Oakland's pitching staff, Weaver looks to continue his home dominance of the Athletics on Wednesday night. The Angels (6-8) totaled six runs and 16 hits during a three-game losing streak before collecting 15 hits in Tuesday's 14-1 rout. Leadoff hitter Kole Calhoun tied a career-best with four hits, including a threerun homer, while No. 9 hitter Johnny Giavotella added a three-run shot for his first homer. Los Angeles' Nos. 7-9 hitters were a combined 5 for 12 with two walks and seven runs. "One of the things we do well is see a lot of pitches," Giavotella said. We battle and don't give in with two strikes." The victory was Los Angeles' first at Angel Stadium, snapping a four-game losing streak there. The next order of business is getting Weaver his first win. Weaver (0-2, 6.61 ERA), who also opened 0-2 last season before finishing with an AL-best 18 wins, has never gone winless in his first four starts. After posting an 8.71 ERA in losing his first two, the righthander pitched well enough to win Friday at Houston, giving up two runs and six hits without a walk before leaving without a decision in a 6-3 win. "It was a step in the right direction," Weaver told MLB's official website. "I felt a little better, consistently throwing the ball the way I wanted to." Weaver wasn't as sharp against the A's in going 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA in four starts after going 5-0 with a 0.41 ERA the previous two seasons. He did, however, toss seven scoreless innings to win his