OC Register: Justin Upton hits 2 towering homers in Angels’ loss to Brewers

[AngelsWin.com]

THE GAME: Justin Upton hit two of the Angels’ five home runs in a 10-9 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in a seven-inning game on Monday afternoon at American Family Fields in Phoenix.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Andrew Heaney became the first Angels pitcher this spring to re-enter a game, taking advantage of a special rule this spring. He recorded just one out on 23 pitches in the first, so the Angels pulled him. Heaney then came back to continue his outing in the second. He did not allow any runs in the second or third, each time escaping with the help of slick double plays. “I think in the first inning I was kind of trying to place balls, get a feel, thinking more about working on things and hitting spots as opposed to just being aggressive in the zone,” Heaney said. “Nothing will (tick) you off like giving up giving up four in the first and getting taken out. So that definitely helped me change my mindset a bit. It’s something I will definitely work on moving forward.” … Right-hander Chris Rodriguez, who struck out both hitters he faced in his debut, could not get out of the inning this time. He got two outs, one on a strikeout, and gave up three runs, including a homer. … Right-hander Junior Guerra made his spring debut with 1-1/3 scoreless innings, with one strikeout. Guerra had been delayed arriving to camp because of visa issues. He is a non-roster invitee with a strong chance to break camp as a multi-inning reliever.

HITTING REPORT: Justin Upton hit a pair of homers, both moonshots that cleared the center field batter’s eye. Upton has three homers already this spring. Upton credited his turnaround last season with focusing more up the middle and the other way. “Just being able to stay through the middle keeps you on everything, keep you on all pitches,” Upton said. “I’ve been able to handle a few offspeed pitches early in camp and I handled the fastball today, so trying to maintain that approach, I think it can help me throughout the season.” … Upton’s first homer of the day came just after Anthony Rendon belted a homer over the right field fence, his first of the spring. … Shohei Ohtani had a single in three at-bats. He is 3 for 6 this spring. … Jordyn Adams also hit a three-run homer over the batter’s eye. It was his first homer of the spring. … Jose Rojas belted his second homer of the spring. … Jo Adell singled. His at-bats have improved in recent days since he eliminated his leg kick.

DEFENSE REPORT: Shortstop Jose Iglesias caught a pop-up in shallow left and then flipped it behind his back to left fielder Upton so Upton could throw it to second to double off the runner. “I played with him in Detroit, you gotta be prepared for everything,” Upton said. “I’ve seen him make that play a bunch of times going back like that, but he’s never flipped me the ball.” Iglesias and second baseman David Fletcher turned a slick double play. Iglesias went to his right to field the ball and Fletcher made a quick relay. … Catcher Kurt Suzuki bounced a throw into center field trying to nail a runner.

IN THE B GAME: There were no statistics from the B game against the Brewers on a back field earlier in the day, but Maddon said he was impressed with right-hander Dylan Bundy and left-hander Reid Detmers. Maddon said Bundy worked three innings and gave up a three-run homer. Maddon said Detmers “was outstanding. Delivery, velocity, location breaking ball. He had a pretty nice day.”

UP NEXT: Angels at Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, noon PT, Goodyear Ballpark, Fox Sports West, 830 AM

Adios

Justin Upton hits one outta here! #LAASpring | @Angels pic.twitter.com/hH5KYS5kq6

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) March 8, 2021

Make that 2 HR on the day!

Justin Upton goes yard and brings #ShoTime home to tie up the game. #LAASpring | @Angels pic.twitter.com/yBeVYwDnjC

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) March 8, 2021

Tied at sevens

Jordyn Adams hits a 3R HR! #LAASpring | @Angels pic.twitter.com/6wcTgEgbKX

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) March 8, 2021

aaaaaand it's gone

Jose Rojas hits it deep center field to put the Angels ahead! #LAASpring | @Angels pic.twitter.com/JAJTMt5Kyj

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) March 8, 2021

Related Articles

• Angels’ Patrick Sandoval hopes controlling his emotions can lead to big league success
• Jaime Barria strong in spring debut as Angels beat Mariners
• Taylor Ward tries to squeeze onto Angels’ roster by adding defensive versatility, including a return to catcher
• Jo Adell hits first homer of the spring, but Angels lose to Rockies
• Angels catcher Max Stassi says he feels like ‘night and day’ after 2nd hip surgery

View the full article

[WicketMaiden]

I really thought I was going to miss Simmons' glove work this year but so far Iglesias has been absolutely outstanding. If he keeps this up over the next few months I will be able to fully embrace my fickle side and start with the Andrelton who stuff. Looking forward to a full season of him and Fletch flashing the leather and filling highlight reels.