SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Mike Trout hit a two-run homer, Jered Weaver labored into the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Angels tied the Colorado Rockies 4-4 in 10 innings Saturday.
Trout’s shot to straightaway center off Juan Nicasio in the fifth was his second home run of the spring. The 2012 AL Rookie of the Year finished 1 for 3 with a stolen base and is batting. 433.
“First couple of at-bats, he was pitching me in and I was changing my approach, which I shouldn’t have,” Trout said of his strikeout and groundout. “I just tried to stay up the middle and I got a pitch to hit.”
Nicasio also gave up solo homers to Howie Kendrick and Matt Long in 4 1-3 innings. Albert Pujols went 2 for 4.
Carlos Gonzalez wrapped a two-run homer around the right-field foul pole off Weaver in the first.
Weaver allowed three runs on nine hits, including an RBI single by Nicasio, with two walks and two strikeouts. The right-hander was lifted after Ryan Wheeler’s leadoff single in the sixth.
With runners at first and third with one out in the 10th, manager Mike Scioscia moved Long from left field to between first and second. Jason Pridie then hit a grounder directly at Long, who turned a 7-6-3 double play to end the game.
“He was the only right-hander out there (in the outfield),” Scioscia said of Long. “And he played second base for 80 games last year.”
Drew Stubbs’ RBI double in the ninth off Yoslan Herrera tied it for Colorado.
STARTING TIME
Angels: Weaver was experimenting in his outing.
“I threw a lot of offspeed pitches. Trying to get a feel for that today,” Weaver said. “One bad pitch to Gonzalez. During the season, I probably wouldn’t have thrown a slider down and in.”
Rockies: Manager Walt Weiss was unconcerned with the three homers allowed by Nicasio.
“I thought he had a great outing,” Weiss said. “I thought (two) of the homers were windblown. Trout hit his ball good, but with no wind I don’t think that ball gets out.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: Scioscia said outfielder Josh Hamilton (strained left calf) “felt great” running the bases Saturday and is close to playing in a game. Reliever Dane De La Rosa (right forearm strain) was cleared to throw Sunday.
Rockies: Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder) reported no pain after throwing at 120 feet Friday.
“If I keep feeling good, I might throw a bullpen (session) soon,” Chacin said.
BOESCH TOSSED
Brennan Boesch, who needs a solid spring to make L.A.’s 25-man roster, was ejected by plate umpire Jeff Morrow after he was called out on strikes in the second.
“He was walking away and wasn’t even looking at the umpire,” Scioscia said. “I think you just had a young umpire that wasn’t real experienced with how to handle something like that.”
CHALLENGING PATIENCE
Weaver is no fan of expanded instant replay. Weiss requested a review when Dickerson was called out trying to steal second in the third. After a delay of about 2 minutes, the call was upheld.
“It’s a frustrating thing,” Weaver said of the delay. “Obviously, pitchers like to keep the game going. Me, I like to keep the pace kind of quick. It’s something we’re going to have to deal with.”
GRAY, BUTLER SENT DOWN
Colorado’s top pitching prospects, right-handers Jon Gray and Eddie Butler, were sent to minor league camp.
Both struggled in a game Friday, but otherwise were impressive in their big league camp debuts.
“Nothing’s changed as far as anybody’s opinion of them,” Weiss said. “Everyone feels that these guys are both going to be very good major league pitchers - and possibly dominant.”
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