Jo Adell blasts long opposite-field homer in Angels’ victory

THE GAME: Jo Adell hit a home run over the scoreboard beyond the fence in right-center field in the Angels’ 8-2 Cactus League victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday in Tempe, Ariz. The Angels are 10-5-2 this spring.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Tucker Davidson gave up one unearned run in three innings. Davidson struck out four and walked one, improving to 14 strikeouts and two walks in 10 innings this spring. He walked 5.4 hitters per nine innings last season. “I feel a lot more confident in control of my body compared to last year,” Davidson said. He threw 64 pitches, including what he said was his first pitchout since 2017. Teams figure to utilize pitchouts more to combat the running game now that pitchers are limited in throws to first. … Right-handers Jimmy Herget and Andrew Wantz each worked in multiple innings, which Angels major league relievers had not yet done this spring. Manager Phil Nevin said the Angels will be testing most of their relievers that way this week, especially because they have an off day on Wednesday.

HITTING REPORT: Adell’s homer was his first since his first at-bat of the spring. Adell is 7 for 29 (.241) with a .773 OPS this spring, including five hits in his last nine at-bats, with one strikeout. “He’s making the right swing decisions, for sure,” Nevin said. “That’s a big part of it. We all saw how far he can hit ’em today. But the swing decisions need to be better, for sure.” … Taylor Ward had two hits, including a double down the left field line. Ward is 9 for 23 (.391) with a 1.092 OPS this spring. … Mickey Moniak had a pair of hits, although one was a double that should have been caught by left fielder A.J. Pollock. That was one of several balls that dropped in the outfield on a day when Nevin said the sun and wind were “very tough.” Moniak is 11 for 28 (.393) with an 1.112 OPS this spring. … Jared Walsh pulled a single through a drawn-in infield to drive in a run against left-hander Tayler Saucedo. It was Walsh’s first hit in five at-bats against lefties this spring. He had struck out the other four times, including twice against Robbie Ray on Monday. … Kevin Padlo had a run-scoring single and a run-scoring triple.

DEFENSE REPORT: Third baseman Anthony Rendon went to the ground to make a backhand pickup of a grounder in the first inning. … Shortstop Livan Soto mishandled a routine bouncer hit at him as he was moving toward second. It would have been a double play, but the Angels didn’t get any outs. The error led to a run. … Center fielder Andrew Velazquez made a diving catch. Velazquez is normally an infielder, but the Angels are working to build his versatility.

UP NEXT: Angels at Guardians, Tuesday, 1 p.m. PT, Goodyear Ballpark, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

Adell launches one into the parking lot @Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/AxlDmmo6VI

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 13, 2023

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