Skaggs Solid, Role Players Clutch in Los Angeles Angels 11-4 Victory

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

If Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia needed confidence in naming Tyler Skaggs a starter, he got it Monday. Skaggs held San Francisco to one earned run in the Halos 11-4 victory; their last spring game at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

The left-hander won his second straight Cactus League game by scattering seven hits through 5 1/3 innings. Base on balls, however, are still an issue for the 22-year-old as he walked three, raising his spring total to 10 through five starts.

After cruising through the first two innings, Skaggs gave up back-to-back hits leading off the third. Michael Morse grounded into a force out, earning an RBI, and advanced on an Albert Pujols catching error. He scored two plays later on a Pablo Sandoval sacrifice fly to left field.

Raul Ibanez and 25-man roster hopefuls J.B. Shuck and Grant Green combined for five hits and 7 RBIs against Giants pitching. While Shuck’s reserve role is all but certain, Green’s multi-hit performance boosts his spring batting average to .349 through 18 games and leaves more uncertainty as to who will be named utility infielder.

The Angels’ road trip back to “The Big A” begins with a visit to Mesa, Ariz. tomorrow as Brandon Lyon starts against the Chicago Cubs.