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Angels 6, Diamondbacks 1


Angels 6, Diamondbacks 1
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Vladimir Guerrero made his first start of spring training and impressed his manager in the Los Angeles Angels' 6-1 victory over the Arizona Diamonbacks.

Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes made his first appearance, too.

Guerrero, who had offseason knee surgery, played right field and was hitless in two at-bats. Manager Mike Scioscia said he hoped to have Guerrero in the lineup for a few more swings as the designated hitter Saturday against Milwaukee.

"He got out there and he's moving well," Scioscia said. "He ran well out of the box. He'll probably have a little stiffness tomorrow, but we'll see if he can in there and get lose and get some cuts tomorrow as a DH."

Byrnes' season was cut short in late June by a torn left hamstring. On Friday, He started in center field and went 0-for-3.

"He was a little more under control than I expected him to be," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "He had two pretty good swings, actually three decent swings. He ran around in the outfield. He had a few balls he had to chase after. The balls he hit, he was running around the bases pretty well. For a first day, I thought he looked good."

Byrnes was limited to 206 at-bats and struggled to a .209 average and six homers last season. He hit 47 homers over the previous two seasons.

Angels' right-hander Jered Weaver made his third and most impressive start, working four innings and allowing four hits and one earned run with three strikeouts.

Weaver's spring training debut was delayed by shoulder soreness. He's allowed 10 hits in three innings over his first two starts.

"It's getting there," Weaver said. "The fourth inning I was leaving the ball up. I probably was getting a little bit tired. My off-speed stuff is getting there. It was definitely a step in the right direction."

Said Scioscia: "Weave was good. I think he got a little tired, but it was good to see him finish four (innings). I think it was a step up from when we saw him in his last start, so he's going in the right direction."

Melvin didn't sound as pleased with Jon Garland, the former Angel who made his fourth spring start and allowed four runs, one earned, and four hits with three walks and one strikeout.

"(That was) probably not his best command, certainly not as good as the last time we saw him, but he was working on stuff even more so," Melvin said. "He threw more curveballs today, more curveballs out of the stretch."

Garland went 14-8, with a 4.90 ERA with the Angels in 2008 after spending eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

He doesn't see pitching in the National League as being a whole lot different than the American League and that NL hitters will know what he throws.

"I think the biggest thing for me will be situational with that pitcher in the lineup," Garland said. "That's the only thing that's going to help me out. You don't have that DH in there like you have in the American League. Let's be honest, it kills you. ... Guys will get their scouting reports and will know what I throw."


Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: March 21, 2009

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