Freese, Pujols Lead Split Squad to 12-2 Victory Over Brewers

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Garza is probably wishing he’d taken Arte Moreno’s short-lived contract offer right about now. The Los Angeles Angels offense pounced on Garza early and often in a 12-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

The Angels’ scored eight runs in the second inning solely by playing small ball. Hank Conger’s two-out single, the fifth of the inning, gave the Halos an insurmountable lead that closed the book on Garza’s day.

Despite sluggish starts from Albert Pujols and David Freese, the veterans came out strong today combining for three runs on five hits. Meanwhile, Mike Trout continued his hot spring, scoring twice while driving in two. The AL MVP runner-up is hitting .375 through eight Cactus League games.

Left-hander Hector Santiago scattered five hits through 4 1/3 innings in his first victory as an Angel. With the backend of the starting rotation up in the air, Santiago is quickly becoming a viable No. 3 option behind Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson. The newcomer has only given up two earned runs through 11 innings this spring.

Tomorrow, Garret Richards faces Jose Quintana and the Chicago White Sox at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Game time is 1 p.m. PST and it can be seen on Fox Sports West.