A's Split Squad Loses To Pujols, Angels
PHOENIX (CBS / AP) -- His first time up to bat for the Angels, Albert Pujols hit an RBI double.
The new Angels slugger finished 2 for 3, ending his spring debut by popping up with the bases loaded in the third inning of Los Angeles' 9-1 win over an Oakland Athletics split squad Monday.
"That was fun," Pujols said of batting in each of the first three innings. "Hopefully we get to do that a lot this season."
Left-hander C.J. Wilson, the Angels' other big free-agent acquisition, also debuted. He gave up a hit and walk in two innings.
Pujols agreed to a $240 million, 10-year deal over the winter, leaving the St. Louis Cardinals after 11 seasons.
Now he'll routinely face AL pitchers after hammering the senior circuit for more than a decade.
"When I made the ballclub in '01 I didn't know anyone in the National League," Pujols said. "You are your own scouting report."
Athletics starter Brad Peacock had to leave after getting five outs. He was scheduled for two innings. Pujols helped him reach his pitch count early.
"I tried not to look at him," Peacock said. "I was trying to hit my spot but left a curveball up for him and he crushed it."
Wilson, who came to California from the Texas Rangers, said he used to play fantasy baseball when he was in the minors—and drafted Pujols at least once.
"It's kind of funny," Wilson said. "He came up there and drive in the run and we all looked at each other in the dugout and said 'Yep, that's Albert.' That's what he does.
"I'm happy to be in the Albert Pujols fan club."
NOTES: A's DH Manny Ramirez went 0-for-3 and is hitless in five plate appearances. He has seen a total of 11 pitches and had not hit a ball out of the infield until flying out weakly to right in the sixth. . Peacock struggled in his first start in his first major league camp, allowing four runs on four hits and a walk. Peacock was one of four players acquired from Washington for Gio Gonzalez on December 23. . Angels 2B Howie Kendrick homered to straightaway center in the second and C Chris Iannetta added a two-run shot in the third. . Athletics 1B Daric Barton received a second cortisone shot in his right shoulder and will be sidelines for the next three days. . Angels DH Bobby Abreu was slated to bat sixth but was scratched due to an undisclosed illness. He was replaced by Hank Conger, who hit ninth.
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