OC Register: Anthony Rendon hits first HR as an Angel in loss to White Sox

[AngelsWin.com]

THE GAMES: Free-agent addition Anthony Rendon hit his first home run in an Angels uniform during an 8-7 split-squad loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday at Tempe, Ariz., while Jose Suarez pitched three shutout innings in a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale.

PITCHING REPORTS: At Tempe, add a couple more sharp starts to the pile as left-hander Patrick Sandoval had two strikeouts over two scoreless innings against the White Sox. The competition for what appears to be two open rotation spots continues to rise. “Everyone out there has been dealing,” Sandoval said. “It’s fun to compete like that and compete at a high level. It brings out the best in everyone.” … Noe Ramirez and Hansel Robles also pitched a scoreless inning each, but Neil Ramirez was touched for eight runs on five hits and three walks while recording just one out. … At Scottsdale, Suarez became the first Angels starter to go three innings. He didn’t give up a hit or a run while facing Rockies regulars like Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado. Colorado finally got to right-hander Matt Ball for three runs in the fifth inning and never trailed again. Angels starting pitchers have now gone nine games and 19 innings without giving up an earned run.

HITTING REPORTS: At Tempe, Rendon’s three-run blast in the first inning on the first pitch he saw was a towering back-spinning shot that hit on the back of the grass berm behind the left-field wall. It was his first home run in a competitive contest since Game 7 of the World Series for the Washington Nationals. … Brian Goodwin, Mike Trout, Andrelton Simmons and Albert Pujols had two hits each. … At Scottsdale, David Fletcher had the only hit among anybody in the top five of the lineup against the Rockies. … Jahmai Jones, who hit five home runs in 130 games at Double-A last season, went deep in the eighth inning against Colorado right-hander Antonio Santos.

DEFENSIVE REPORT: At Tempe, Rendon reversed his fortunes in the second inning. After the third baseman’s throwing error allowed Yermin Mercedes to reach first base, Rendon immediately responded to the miscue by starting a 5-4-3 double play on a ground ball from Nicky Delmonico.

UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Julio Teheran) vs. Chicago Cubs (RHP Kyle Hendricks), Monday, noon PT, Mesa, Ariz.

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