TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- Joe Blanton's spring training debut for the Los Angeles Angels breezed by quickly.
Blanton allowed a first-inning solo homer to Brian Bogusevic in his first game in an Angels' uniform, a 4-2 loss to a Chicago Cubs' split squad Sunday.
"I just try to do the same thing every spring and that's to throw a lot of strikes coming out of the gate, probably a little more plate than you do in the middle of the season," Blanton said.
Blanton gave up just the one hit in two innings, struck out two and walked none. He threw 20 pitches.
"Working quickly has always been to my benefit verses the hitter," Blanton said. "I'm going to try to keep my team on the field on their toes. If it's a quick inning I can get my hitters back in there without them being out on the field all day. That's kind of the way I've worked. I feel comfortable just getting the ball and going."
Blanton was 10-13 with a 4.71 ERA for Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. He agreed to a $15 million, two-year deal with the Angels during the offseason.
"I think for the first outing you couldn't ask for anything more," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. " He pounded the zone, no doubt. Just pulled a couple of pitches middle in. ... Joe likes to keep that tempo, and when he's going he wants to keep that ball and keep that feel."
Nick Struck, the Chicago Cubs' minor league pitcher of the year, made his second exhibition appearance and gave up two hits in three scoreless innings.
Cubs closer Carlos Marmol got into a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the fourth when Josh Hamilton and Mark Trumbo singled, and Chris Iannetta was hit by a pitch. Andrew Romine grounded into a run-scoring, 4-6-3 double play, and Caleb Cowart lined out.
Brad Nelson hit a solo homer for the Cubs.
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Friday, May 24 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:19:42 GMT
Joey Votto extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a homer, and Ryan Hanigan and Brandon Phillips also homered on Friday night, powering the Cincinnati Reds to their fourth straight win.
Joey Votto extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a homer, and Ryan Hanigan and Brandon Phillips also homered on Friday night, powering the Cincinnati Reds to their fourth straight win, 7-4 over the Chicago Cubs.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:09:25 GMT
Andrew McCutchen had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on a rainy Thursday for their fourth straight win.
Andrew McCutchen had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on a rainy Thursday for their fourth straight win.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:47 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:47:43 GMT
Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.
Francisco Liriano continued his torrid start, scattering two hits over seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Wednesday night.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:05 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:05:46 GMT
Travis Snider hit a pinch-hit grand slam during a five-run sixth and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled a strong return to the mound for Matt Garza with a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Travis Snider hit a pinch-hit grand slam during a five-run sixth and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled a strong return to the mound for Matt Garza with a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:15 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:15:36 GMT
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:08:37 GMT
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:19:36 GMT
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Jeff Samardzija hit a two-run home run and pitched eight strong innings for his first win since opening day and the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Wednesday night.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 8:42 AM EDT2013-05-15 12:42:09 GMT
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Colorado Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:24 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:24:50 GMT
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Travis Wood pitched seven scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs came within two outs of their first shutout since last August in a 9-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:06:49 GMT
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
Slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo and the Chicago Cubs agreed Monday to a $41 million, seven-year contract that could be worth up to $68 million over nine seasons.
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