Final Score in Anaheim: San Diego Padres 4, L.A. Angels 5
The Angels finished Spring training like they finished the 2008 season: with the best record of any team but little else to show for it. Their final Spring record: 26-8-1
PITCHING: With a beat-up pitching staff, minor leaguer Sean O'Sullivan started the contest, pitching 3+ innings with 7 hits, but only allowing 1 ER. He was followed by 20-year old Eddie McKiernan. Of the expected regular season bullpen help, Darren Oliver, Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo each pitched a scoreless inning. Kevin Jepsen allowed a run in his lone frame and, leading 3-2 in the 9th, closer Brian Fuentes' debut in front of the home crowd was forgettable as he gascanned up two runs in a pathetic display of mid-80s fastballs. He finally got two Padres to strike out in a somewhat professional manner, but it was a night to pause and remember the easy saves that Francisco Rodriguez routinely delivered.
BATTING: Robb Quinlan hit a foulpole HR (off a righty pitcher to boot!) and Kendry Morales had a ringing RBI double. Vladimir Guerrero, in his 12th Spring training game, drove in Howie Kendrick with an infield single that showed his Spring legs are fresh after that offseason knee surgery (props to Kobe's Colorado doctor).
LATE INNING ANTICS: After Fuentes choked up a save, Reggie Willits led off the bottom of the 9th with a basehit, Sean Rodriguez walked and Maicer Izturis hit a slow dribbler down the First base line. This allowed Willits to run home for a close play at the plate. Backup catcher Bobby Wilson then hit a simple single to score S-Rod and the Angels earned their Sunday day off before Monday night's season opener.
