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Clips

(June 12, 2015)

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Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Mike Trout, Albert Pujols both hit home run No. 17 in Angels win

FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 3)

Major turnaround from rookie Kyle Kubitza sparks Angels past Rays

Angels' Garrett Richards bounces back with strong outing against Rays

Angels Notes: Mike Trout excited for hometown friend On deck: Angels vs. Athletics, Friday, 7 p.m.

Final: Kyle Kubitza comes through to help Angels to 6-2 victory over Rays Chinese developer files to build $500 million project next to Angel

stadium

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 10)

Pujols launches No. 537 to pass Mantle

Trout, Pujols propel Angels over Rays

Stats of the Day: Dynamic duo powers Angels

FROM FOX SPORTS (Page 14)

Would Angels move in fences to help their two sluggers?

Angels draft brother of Mike Trout's girlfriend in 19th round of MLB Draft FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 16)

Forever your hurl: Former 'Idol' judge, pop star tosses first pitch

Athletics-Angels Preview

Pujols hits 537th homer to pass Mantle

RECAP: Trout, Pujols homer in Angels’ win over Rays

Angels recall Kubitza from Triple-A and cut Nieuwenhuis

June 12, 2015 Page 3 of 20

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Mike Trout, Albert Pujols both hit home run No. 17 in Angels win

BY MIKE DIGIOVANNA THE PLATE: The Angels closed out a rough 2-4 trip to New York and Tampa Bay on a high note, amassing 14 hits, 10 of them — and five runs — coming off a Rays bullpen that entered with a 3.35 earned-run average. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols homered in the same game for the 24th time. Trout, Johnny Giavotella and Efren Navarro each had three hits, Navarro looking like a player who could take at-bats away from the struggling Matt Joyce and C.J. Cron. "We have an idea of what Efren can do — he showed it last year," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "He can work some counts. He's not going to drive the ball like some guys, but as players get opportunities and they perform, they're going to get more playing time." ON THE MOUND: Garrett Richards rebounded from the worst start of his career with a superb game, giving up two runs and four hits in seven innings, striking out seven and walking one to improve to 6-4 and lower his ERA to 3.97. Richards gave up a two-run homer to Steven Souza in the second, the first homer he's ever given up on a 0-and-2 count. He retired 17 of the next 19 batters. "The biggest thing was strike one," Scioscia said. "He was in the zone early with some great stuff." Richards said he worked between starts on "sticking my landing and finishing square," and he was more aggressive Thursday, attacking the strike zone and getting ahead in counts. "I've been searching a little bit this year, maybe trying to do too much at times," said Richards, who was 2-2 with a 7.91 ERA in his previous four starts. "I'm starting to get back to a good, clean delivery that gives me a chance to throw strikes around the zone. I like the direction it's going." RUST REMOVER: Setup man Joe Smith, who hadn't pitched since June 1, struck out two of three in a scoreless eighth, and closer Huston Street, who hadn't pitched since June 3, gave up one hit in a scoreless ninth. "They were going to get into the game no matter what," Scioscia said. "They needed to pitch, and they got it done." REHAB REPORT: Third baseman David Freese (right hamstring tightness) did not play but was available to pinch-hit. "As far as playing the field or designated hitter, we're not going to have a read on that for another day or two," Scioscia said. "But he's moving in the right direction, which is good." … Reliever Mike Morin (left rib-cage strain) is scheduled to resume throwing off a mound Friday. … Outfielder Collin Cowgill (right wrist sprain) took batting practice again Thursday and could begin a minor league rehabilitation stint by next week

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Major turnaround from rookie Kyle Kubitza sparks Angels past Rays

BY JEFF FLETCHER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Before Thursday’s game, as Mike Scioscia was talking to Kyle Kubitza, he joked with the rookie.

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“It can’t be any worse than yesterday,” Scioscia said, “so go get ’em.”

He did.

Kubitza, whose major league debut a day earlier was marred by mental mistakes that proved costly, made amends by delivering one of the biggest hits in the Angels’ 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

“It’s baseball,” Kubitza said. “You can strike out three or four times one night, come back the next night and get three or four hits. I was happy the turnaround was that quick.”

The Angels had no shortage of positives in a victory that helped them win a series, a good ending to a trip to that began by getting swept in New York.

Garrett Richards bounced back from his worst start ever to toss seven dominant innings.

The offense collected 14 hits – 11 in the last four innings – including homers by Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. For Pujols, it was No. 537, passing Mickey Mantle to move alone into 16th place on the all-time list.

Trout, Johnny Giavotella and Efren Navarro each had three hits. Even struggling Matt Joyce drew two walks.

But of all the happy storylines, perhaps none was as compelling as Kubitza’s.

A night earlier, he needed to be consoled by his teammates and with well-meaning texts after his gaffes spoiled his major league debut. He had cost the Angels a run by throwing to the wrong base, and scuttled a rally with two base-running mistakes.

“I couldn’t watch too many replays, I can say that,” Kubitza said.

When he got to the ballpark Thursday, though, back in the lineup because David Freese still has a hamstring issue, he was ready to flip the page.

The spotlight came to him in the seventh inning, with the Angels trailing 2-1 and scuffling offensively for most of the night. Hard-throwing Kevin Jepsen, a former Angel, was on the mound.

With runners at first and second, Kubitza yanked a Jepsen fastball through the hole on the right side, driving in the tying run.

“Elated,” Kubitza said, describing his feeling as the ball got through.

By all accounts in the clubhouse, no one seemed surprised that Kubitza would bounce back from his rough night, rather than allowing it shake his confidence.

“That’s the kind of player he is,” Giavotella said. “He handles that very well. Big league debut yesterday he was a little nervous. Got his feet under him today and was able to get a big hit for us. It was fun to see.”

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Kubitza’s hit sparked a late-inning explosion. The Angels took the lead on an Erick Aybar groundout, then added to it on a Trout double.

In the ninth, Pujols hit a two-run homer to pad the lead to four runs.

By the time it was over, eight of the nine Angels starters either had a hit, a run or an RBI. It was the second time in the past three games the Angels had at least 14 hits.

“Tonight we had contributions up and down,” Scioscia said. “Whether it was taking a walk, or putting the ball in play when we had to, there were a lot of key at-bats, especially late in the game against a good bullpen. The whole lineup worked hard tonight. We had great at-bats. It’s a good offensive night.”

Angels' Garrett Richards bounces back with strong outing against Rays

BY JEFF FLETCHER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Garrett Richards made good use of the four days since the debacle in New York.

After Richards tossed seven strong innings on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing just two runs, he said that he had made some mechanical tweaks with pitching coach Mike Butcher that paid dividends.

Richards gave up six runs and didn’t get out of the first inning Saturday at Yankee Stadium, a start that ballooned his ERA over his last four outings to 7.91. Since then, though, he worked on getting his landing foot to plant directly toward the plate, which has helped him throw more strikes.

“I’ve been searching for it a little bit this year, maybe trying to do too much at times,” he said. “I am starting to get back to a good, clean delivery that gives me a chance to throw strikes around the zone. I like the direction it’s going.”

Richards had a brief lapse in the second inning Thursday. He walked Logan Forsythe and then hung an 0-2 cutter to Steven Souza, who hit it out to right field. It was the first time in Richards’ career that he’d allowed a homer on an 0-2 pitch.

After that, though, Richards clicked into gear. He retired 19 of the last 21 batters he faced, and one of the two hits he allowed was an infield hit.

“As he went out in the third inning you just saw him better putting pitches together, a better presence,” Scioscia said. “He was getting ahead. He threw some really impressive breaking balls tonight. ... That’s a great outing from Garrett.”

Angels Notes: Mike Trout excited for hometown friend

BY JEFF FLETCHER

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Mike Trout may not be the only guy from Millville, N.J., in the Angels system for long.

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Trout was excited to see that the Angels drafted Aaron Cox, a pitcher from his hometown who happens to be one of the younger brothers of his girlfriend, Jessica.

Trout said didn’t have any conversations with the Angels about drafting Cox before it happened.

“It’s cool, growing up with him and seeing him develop,” said Trout, who is three years older than Cox. “He had a slight chance out of high school then he went to college and really got bigger and stronger.”

The Angels’ used their 19th-round pick on Cox, who had a 3.67 ERA this season at Gannon University in Pennsylvania

ALSO

David Freese missed a second straight game because of a tight hamstring. Manager Mike Scioscia said that Freese was available to pinch-hit, but it would still be at least a couple days before they had a better idea about him returning to playing full time…

C.J. Cron said he was fine after being hit in the left wrist by a pitch on Wednesday night. Cron was able to play Thursday, even though he was out of the lineup.

On deck: Angels vs. Athletics, Friday, 7 p.m.

BY JEFF FLETCHER

Where: Angel Stadium TV: Fox Sports West, 7 p.m. Did you know: The series is nearly even over the last 256 games they’ve played, with the Angels holding a 129-127 edge. THE PITCHERS LHP HECTOR SANTIAGO (4-3, 2.55) The Angels temporarily moved Santiago to the bullpen because of two off days in a five-day span following his last start. He was cruising through five innings and then gave up five runs in the sixth. After that he pitched 32/3 scoreless innings in a relief outing. He will be pitching on five days’ rest since that 45-pitch outing. Vs. A’s: 3-2, 1.91 At Angel Stadium: 4-6, 3.54 Loves to face: None Hates to face: Josh Reddick, 4 for 9 (.444)

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RHP JESSE CHAVEZ (2-6, 2.51) Chavez has been a revelation for the A’s, pitching much better than anyone could have expected and locking up a spot in the rotation. He should have a few more wins, but the A’s have been shut out in three of his starts. A product of A.B. Miller High in Fontana and Riverside City College, Chavez gave up only one hit the last time he pitched at Angel Stadium, but he still lost. vs. Angels: 1-5, 4.02 At Angel Stadium: 0-3, 2.30 Loves to face: David Freese, 4 for 15 (.214) Hates to face: Albert Pujols, 7 for 16 (.438) UPCOMING GAMES Saturday: A’s RHP Kendall Graveman (3-2, 4.83) vs. Angels LHP C.J. Wilson (3-5, 3.92), 7 p.m., Fox Sports West Sunday: A’s RHP Sonny Gray (7-3, 1.74) vs. Angels RHP Matt Shoemaker (4-4, 4.86), 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports West

Final: Kyle Kubitza comes through to help Angels to 6-2 victory over Rays BY JEFF FLETCHER ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Kyle Kubitza only had to wait a day to make amends. The Angels rookie, who made two critical mistakes in his major league debut, came back to drive in the tying run in the seventh inning of the Angels’ 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. With the come-from-behind victory, the Angels took two of the three in the series and salvaged a trip that began with three straight losses. There were plenty of other positives, from Garrett Richards’ bounceback outing to three hits apiece from Mike Trout, Johnny Giavotella and Efren Navarro to Albert Pujols’ latest milestone. He hit his 17th homer of the year, the 537th of his career, to move alone into 16th place on the all-time list, passing Mickey Mantle. The Angels had 11 hits in the last four innings of the game. But they were losing 2-1 in the seventh inning when Kubitza came to the plate with one out and runners at first and second. Kubitza then yanked a single into right field against former Angel right-hander Kevin Jepsen, driving in Matt Joyce with the tying run. Navarro alertly took third on the throw home.

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Erick Aybar then hit a grounder to second. Kubitza went into the bag hard and prevented the Rays from turning an inning-ending double play, allowing the Angels to score the go-ahead run. Aybar then stole second and scored an insurance run on Trout’s third hit of the game, a double. Trout had earlier blasted his 17th homer of the season. It was fitting that Kubitza would be one of the heroes after what happened to him in the Angels’ 4-2 loss on Wednesday night. He cost the Angels a run by throwing to the wrong base on a grounder, and he made a baserunning mistake that scuttled the Angels rally in the only inning they scored. On Thursday, Richards also got to make up for a poor performance, although he had to wait five days for his next chance. Richards, who gave up six runs and didn’t get out of the first inning on Saturday in New York, dominated the Rays for seven innings. The only runs he gave up were on a Steven Souza two-run homer on a hanging 0-2 cutter in the second inning. It was the first time in Richards’ career that he’s allowed a homer on an 0-2 pitch. Richards retired 19 of the next 21 batters he faced before turning the game over to Joe Smith and Huston Street. Street didn’t get a save because Pujols’ two-run homer in the top of the ninth gave the Angels a four-run lead. Street still came in because he hadn't pitched in eight days.

Chinese developer files to build $500 million project next to Angel stadium BY ART MARROQUIN ANAHEIM – A Chinese development company filed an application Thursday to build a $500 million residential, hotel and commercial complex that relies on using Angel Stadium parking. But the Angels still says it won’t surrender any parking spaces. LT Global wants to use 1,300 parking spaces at Angel Stadium, down from 2,000 spaces that were initially proposed for the massive project at State College Boulevard and Orangewood Avenue. An Angels spokeswoman reiterated on Thursday the team’s refusal to hand over use of any parking spaces at the city-owned stadium. “We’ve been reaching out to the Angels for many months and we’re hopeful that, at some point in time, we will be able to reach out as partners with them,” said Randy Jefferson, executive director of project development for LT Global Investment Platinum.

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“We believe this project is as good for the Angels as it is for us, and for the city, because it is at their front door,” Jefferson said. “We’re not taking anything away from them, and we’re willing to pay to use part of what they already have the right to use.” Jefferson declined to say how many times he has met with team officials or how much he’s willing to pay for using the parking spaces. LTG Platinum Center would build 3,021 of its own parking spaces in two structures. Angels spokeswoman Marie Garvey said team executives met with LT Global earlier this year, but the development company had not specifically proposed using any of the stadium’s parking spaces. Once the Angels learned in March that LT Global wanted to use a portion of the stadium parking lot, team officials warned they would oppose the project. “It is unclear how a project could file an application relying on land and parking they do not have the right to use,” Garvey said. “The stadium parking is a critical part of the fan experience and our operations, and is legally bound to the Angels as part of the lease with the city.” Under the stadium lease with Anaheim, the Angels are entitled to 12,500 surface-level parking spaces surrounding the stadium. If a parking structure is considered at the stadium, the lease would have to be renegotiated. Anaheim city spokeswoman Ruth Ruiz said city planners have not had a chance to review LT Global’s application, but added that “this is an exciting proposal.” In the application submitted on Thursday, LT Global still proposes to build 600 condos and apartments and about 65,000 square feet of office space. However, the developer now wants to build a 387,000-square-foot retail center, down from 460,000 square feet initially proposed in February. A hotel on the site would have 250 rooms, which are 50 fewer than originally planned. The adjustments, Jefferson said, came after his company studied the local real estate market’s demands. It could take about a year to complete the city’s review process and the necessary environmental studies, with construction beginning as soon as 2016 and completed by 2020 if the development is approved. Jefferson cautioned the project could be jeopardized if it’s downsized any further. “The fact is, we want to put a heart at the center of the Platinum Triangle, and it needs to be vibrant,” Jefferson said. “The project has a certain critical mass that it needs to achieve, or it won’t work.”

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FROM ANGELS.COM

Pujols launches No. 537 to pass Mantle

BY MICHAEL KOLLIGIAN

ST. PETERSBURG -- Albert Pujols assumed sole possession of 16th place on Major League Baseball's all-time home run list Thursday night when he launched a ninth-inning fastball from Rays right-hander Preston Guilmet into the left-field seats at Tropicana Field for the 537th roundtripper of his career. The milestone home run, which rounded out the scoring in the Angels' 6-2 victoryover the Rays, was Pujols' 17th of the season and tied him with Mike Trout for the Halos' team lead. Trout briefly took the lead when he lined a solo shot to left in the sixth off Rays starter Alex Colome for the first Angels run.

6/11/15: Mike Trout puts the Angels on the board with a solo home run to left field in the top of the 6th

"It's been a great career so far, but at the same time, I'm just glad that I was able to do something to help my ballclub win. To me, that's more important than anything else," said Pujols. Pujols had tied Yankees great Mickey Mantle for 16th place in Tuesday night's game against the Rays when he deposited a fifth-inning fastball from Nate Karns into the right-field seats for home run No. 536. "I've been swinging the bat well all year long and, if you stay with that approach, sooner or later they're going to fall," added Pujols, who has now hit nine homers in his last 13 games.

Highly touted Angels rookie Kyle Kubitza, playing in just his second Major League game, walked to open the ninth and scored his first career big league run on Pujols' historic blast. Kubitza's game-tying single

6/11/15: Kyle Kubitza's RBI single to right plates Matt Joyce and ties the game at 2 in the top of the 7th

"There's not too many people who can say that. It was awesome," beamed Kubitza, who tied the game at 2 with a run-scoring single in the seventh inning.

"Just to see history trotting around the bases and then coming to slap your hand first is something you can't describe."

The 24-year-old third baseman allowed himself to remain in the moment, despite the monumental nature of the event.

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"At first it was like, 'That was really cool. Albert Pujols just hit a home run and I get to score,' and then it hit me as he was touching home plate and I was like, 'Oh, man, you just broke a record right here,'" said Kubitza.

Up next on the all-time home run list is Mike Schmidt, who sits in 15th place with 548 career blasts.

Pujols and Trout have now homered in the same game 24 times in their careers. Their combined 34 home runs this season are tops in the Major Leagues for a team duo.

Trout, Pujols double-team Rays for series win By MICHAEL KOLLIGIAN AND TROY PROVOST-HERON/MLB.COM ST. PETERSBURG -- On a night when Albert Pujols hit another historic homer, the Angels put together a three-run seventh inning thanks to the bats of Kyle Kubitza, Erick Aybar and Mike Trout to propel themselves to a 6-2 victory over the Rays in the rubber match of a three-game series Thursday night at Tropicana Field. Trailing 2-1 with one away and two on in the seventh, Kubitza pushed across the tying run with a single to right field and was followed by Aybar, who hit a slow grounder to second and reached first on a fielder's choice to score Efren Navarro from third. On the ensuing at-bat, Trout, who ended the night a triple shy of the cycle, delivered a double to score Aybar. Pujols added some insurance in the ninth with a two-run home run, and in the process, passed Mickey Mantle for 16th on the all-time home run list with his 537th career long ball. Steven Souza Jr. plated the only runs of the ballgame for the Rays on one swing, sending an 0-2 pitch over the fence in right field in the second inning. Garrett Richards recorded his sixth win of the season, allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings while striking out seven. Alex Colome tossed 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four en route to a no-decision. "That's a great outing from Garrett," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "The biggest thing you saw was strike one. He was in the zone early and with great stuff. He threw some really impressive breaking balls tonight, both curveballs and sliders, and he pitched ahead in the count where he could use all his stuff." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Leaky 'pen: One night after surrendering just two hits in four innings, the Rays bullpen was tasked with performing a similar feat Thursday, but couldn't come through. Brandon Gomes placed another zero on the board in relief of Colome in the sixth, but Kevin Jepsen came in and allowed Matt Joyce and Navarro to reach base before Kubitza's single tied things up at 2. Brad Boxberger came in to relieve Jepsen after the Kubitza single, but allowed Aybar to ground into a fielder's choice that scored Navarro, and then surrendered a double to Trout that drove home Aybar.

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"With the guys we have down there [in the bullpen] and the mentality everyone has, you put this one behind you," Jepsen said. "You'll have some rough games throughout the season. We play so many games. It's tough for us because Colome pitched such a great game and was keeping those hitters at bay for so long. It's a tough loss, but we'll get right back there tomorrow." 6/11/15: Kyle Kubitza's RBI single to right plates Matt Joyce and ties the game at 2 in the top of the 7th Richards bounces back: The Angels right-hander shook off the effects of his previous start, when he allowed six earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning against the Yankees, to fire a series-clinching gem at the Rays. Richards surrendered the two-run blast to Souza but was otherwise brilliant, allowing four hits, striking out seven and walking one in seven innings, while throwing 70 of his 94 pitches for strikes. He has now produced a quality start in eight of 11 outings this year. "I worked on some things in my bullpen [sessions] this week, sticking my landing and finishing square. That's what I did last year and that's why I was successful, so I'm getting back to that," said Richards. "My curveball was really good tonight, slider was good, but the biggest thing was just attacking guys. I threw a lot of strikes and tried to stay ahead in the count, and make competitive pitches." 6/11/15: Garrett Richards fans seven Rays over seven frames while permitting two runs on just four hits to earn his sixth win Albert stands alone: Pujols assumed sole possession of 16th place on Major League Baseball's all-time home run list when he launched a ninth-inning fastball from Rays right-hander Preston Guilmet into the left-field seats for the 537th home run of his career. The roundtripper, which made the score 6-2, was Pujols' 17th of the season and tied him with Trout for the Angels' team lead. Pujols had tied Yankees great Mantle for 16th place in Tuesday night's game with the Rays when he deposited a fifth-inning fastball from Nate Karns into the right-field seats for home run No. 536. "It's been a great career so far, but at the same time, I'm just glad that I was able to do something to help my ballclub win. To me, that's more important than anything else," said Pujols. "I've been swinging the bat well all year long and if you stay with that approach, sooner or later they're going to fall." 6/11/15: Albert Pujols hits his 537th career home run, passing Mickey Mantle for sole possession of 16th place on the all-time home run list Trout keeps cooking The Angels' slugger temporarily took sole possession of the team home run lead when he blasted his 17th long ball of the season in the sixth. Trout has now connected for six homers in his last 11 games, while hitting safely in 19 of his last 22 contests.

Stats of the Day: Dynamic duo powers Angels

BY ROGER SCHLUETER • Albert Pujols and Mike Trout both homered in the Angels' 6-2 win over the Rays. The game marked the fifth time this season the two have homered in the same contest. For Pujols, the homer was his 537th, giving him one more than Mickey Mantle. Pujols needs 11 more round-trippers to match Mike Schmidt,

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who ranks as 15th in Major League history. Pujols' 537 homers are the sixth most for a player through his age-35 season. He needs five more to match Willie Mays' tally. Pujols also has 1,122 career extra-base hits, tying Manny Ramirez for 14th all-time. Among players through their age-35 seasons, Pujols' 1,122 are the fourth-most, behind the totals from Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron and Alex Rodriguez. • For Trout, the homer was the 115th in his career. At 114, he had been tied with Johnny Bench and Pujols for the 13th most for a player through his age-23 season. With one more round-tripper, Trout will match the totals produced by Jimmie Foxx and Andruw Jones through their respective age-23 seasons. Trout owns a .947 OPS for this season. If he finishes this year with a mark of at least .900, it will give him four straight years of doing so. Foxx, Mel Ott and Ted Williams are the only players in history to qualify for a batting title while posting an OPS of at least .900 each year in their age-20 through age-23 seasons.

Brother of Trout's girlfriend drafted by Angels BY ALDEN GONZALEZ/ MLB.COM ANAHEIM -- Roy Hallenbeck has been running the baseball program at Millville High School in South Jersey for 17 years now, and in that time, two of his former players have been selected in the Draft. The first was Mike Trout, the superstar center fielder and consensus best all-around player in the game. The second was pitcher, first baseman and outfielder Aaron Cox, who just so happens to be the brother of Trout's longtime girlfriend, Jessica Cox, and who also just so happened to be taken by the Angels in the 19th round on Wednesday morning. "When I heard it was the Angels, that was crazy," Hallenbeck said. "We had heard some other teams that were interested in him, but I hadn't heard the Angels yet, so that's really exciting." Trout has been dating Cox's sister since Trout's sophomore year of high school and the two, Hallenbeck said, are "like family, for lack of a better word." They go on hunting and fishing trips together during the winter, and Aaron occasionally works out with Trout, who's actually only three years older. In 2011, Cox was the winning pitcher in Millville High School's first and only South Jersey title. In 2012, Cox became the first player to be awarded Trout's former No. 1 jersey. Millville High was initially going to retire Trout's number, but Trout preferred to give it to the team captain each season. "It never really seemed that odd to me, just because that's the way I've always kind of known the situation," Hallenbeck said of the unique situation. "But I guess from an outside perspective, it is kind of strange." Cox just completed his junior year at Gannon University, in Pennsylvania, and is listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. At the plate, he batted .316/.389/.624 with eight homers and 32 RBIs in 44 games. On the mound, Cox went 5-5 with a 3.74 ERA in 10 starts, striking out 81 batters and walking 15 in 65 innings. The Angels listed him as a right-handed pitcher, which indicates they're going to try him out as a starter. Hallenbeck called Cox "a little bit of a late bloomer" in high school and has seen him grow into his body since he graduated high school three years ago.

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"I mean he just looks fantastic, and he just continues to mature physically," said Hallenbeck, who took over for Jeff Trout, Mike Trout's father, in 1999. "What I'm hearing from scouting reports is that his velocity crept up a little bit, as they expected it would, as he got bigger and stronger and older, but he really developed devastating offspeed stuff to go along with that." FROM FOX SPORTS

Would Angels move in fences to help their two sluggers? BY KEN ROSENTHAL Albert Pujols, with 536 home runs, is tied with Mickey Mantle for 16th on the all-time list. Mike Trout, playing his fourth full season, is statistically comparable to Mantle at the same stage. With Trout under contract through 2020 and Pujols through ’21, might the Angels adjust their ballpark dimensions to further enhance the ability of their two right-handed sluggers? The Angels have discussed the idea internally, but it’s unlikely they will move in their outfield fences or lower their right-field wall, according to major-league sources. The team has not requested approval from Major League Baseball to change the dimensions of Angels Stadium, sources said. A club spokesman, when asked about the possibility, declined to comment. “I’d say there’s not much to it,” a source said. Making Angels Stadium more conducive to hitting indeed would benefit Pujols, Trout and other Angels hitters; the park, when measuring the rate of stats against the rate of stats on the road, is pitcher-friendly. Several obstacles, however, would inhibit the Angels from altering the park, which is 347 feet down the left-field line, 390 to left-center, 396 to center, 370 to right-center and 350 down the right-field line, with a 18-foot high wall in right: * The Angels’ uncertain status in Anaheim. The team’s lease allows it to leave Anaheim between 2016 and ’19 or stay until 2029. Obviously, the Angels would not make any changes in the park – including an investment in new dimensions – until the matter was resolved. American professional baseball players and hall of fame members Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs and Mickey Mantle (1931 - 1995) of the New York Yankees, the leading home run hitters in their leagues, talk before the All Star game at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, July 8, 1958. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images) Ernie Banks and Mickey Mantle are two members of the elite group. Who are the other 24? Owner Arte Moreno said in February that the team’s negotiations with the city of Anaheim on a new lease were “nowhere.” The Angels have had preliminary discussions with Tustin, another city in Orange County, and possibly other locales about a potential new ballpark.

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* The makeup of the Angels’ pitching staff. The Angels give up the highest percentage of fly balls of any pitching staff in the majors. So, at least short-term, moving in or lowering the outfield fences would harm the pitchers, resulting in a neutral effect at best and more likely one that is counterproductive. Among the starters, left-hander Hector Santiago has the lowest ground-ball/fly-ball percentage in the majors, right-hander Matt Shoemaker the sixth-lowest, righty Jered Weaver the 15th-lowest. The team’s closer, Huston Street, also is more of a fly-ball pitcher, and the Angels recently signed him to a two-year extension through 2017. True, most or all of those pitchers will be gone in the latter years of the Pujols and Trout contracts. But making the park more hitter-friendly might require the Angels to shift more to a sinker-ball staff, an overhaul that could take years to implement effectively. * The weather might depress offense in Anaheim more than the dimensions. HIGH FASHION WITH A PURPOSE Each week, FOX baseball insider Ken Rosenthal partners with former NFL player Dhani Jones’ Bowtie Foundation (bowtiecause.com) by donning neckwear to raise awareness for various charities. Click here to see what Ken is wearing this week and to find out how you can get involved. All six West Coast parks rate as pitcher-friendly, in part due to the atmospheric conditions. Consider the Mariners, who moved in the fences at Safeco Field for the 2013 season. Safeco is now more hitter-friendly than it was, but remains pitcher-friendly overall. In Anaheim, just as the high wall in right field often turns potential homers into doubles, the marine layer at night often reduces the distances of fly balls. Pujols, in particular, might benefit from the lowering of the 18-foot wall. During his home games with the Cardinals from 2001 to ’11, he hit 8.3 percent of his home runs to right and right-center, according to STATS LLC. In home games since joining the Angels in 2012, he has hit just 4.7 percent of his homers – a total of two – to those fields. Then again, that reduction could be the result of any number of factors – the way he is pitched, the way he is swinging, etc. Would the lowering of the wall lead to more opposite-field homers by Pujols and Trout? Perhaps. But again, it also could lead the Angels’ staff to allow more home runs. The Angels are no different from other teams that study and debate the impact of their home park. But at least for now it would be a surprise if they tinkered with the status quo.

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FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Forever your hurl: Former 'Idol' judge, pop star tosses first pitch Not even a former 'American Idol' judge and pop star could make the taxed Tampa Bay bullpen sing . . .

or save a few players from elimination.

In a game that began with Paula Abdul showing off her dance moves and then throwing out the first

pitch as the goodwill ambassador for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Albert Pujols hit his 537th home

run Thursday night to move ahead of Mickey Mantle into 16th place on the all-time list and complete

the scoring for the Angels in a 6-2 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field.

The Rays bullpen allowed five runs and 10 hits, including Pujols' shot, over the final four innings in a rare

meltdown.

"Brought our guys in and it just didn't work out tonight," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "We'll still

take those chances anytime we get them with our bullpen. We have a ton of confidence in them."

Postgame, the Rays made a series of moves to reinforce their much-used bullpen. Tampa Bay recalled

pitchers C.J. Riefenhauser, Enny Romero and Matt Andriese from Triple-A Durham. Reliever Andrew

Bellatti (right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list, right-hander Preston Guilmet was optioned to

Durham, and backup catcher Bobby Wilson was designated for assignment.

Tampa Bay will play for the time being with one catcher, Rene Rivera. Infielder Jake Elmore will serve as

the backup.

Cash said the moves were made due to the "shape of our pitching."

American professional baseball players and hall of fame members Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs and

Mickey Mantle (1931 - 1995) of the New York Yankees, the leading home run hitters in their leagues,

talk before the All Star game at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, July 8, 1958. (Photo by Pictorial

Parade/Getty Images)

Ernie Banks and Mickey Mantle are two members of the elite group. Who are the other 24?

Pujols' 17th home run of the season, which came in the ninth inning off Guilmet, was his 1,122nd extra-

base hit, tying Manny Ramirez for 14th place in that category. The 35-year-old first baseman has 1,635

RBI, one short of Ernie Banks who is 29th on the all-time list.

"It's a great accomplishment," Pujols said. "At the same time, I'm just glad I was able to do something to

help my ball club win. To me that's more important than anything else."

Mike Trout drove in two runs with his 17th home run and a double.

June 12, 2015 Page 17 of 20

Trout, who had three straight hits, hit his sixth homer in 11 games off Rays starter Alex Colome for the

Angels' first run. Trout's two-out double off Brad Boxberger drove in another run in the seventh after

rookie Kyle Kubitza's single had given Los Angeles its first lead of the game, 3-2.

Pujols' home run was his second of the series and ninth in 13 games.

Garrett Richards (6-4) pitched seven innings for the Angels, giving up two runs and four hits while

striking out seven.

Former Angel Kevin Jepsen (1-4) took the loss after giving up all three runs in the decisive seventh.

Steven Souza Jr.'s 12th home run gave the Rays a 2-0 lead in the second after Richards walked Logan

Forsythe. That score stood until Trout's homer in the sixth.

Colome gave up one run and four hits while striking out four in 5 1/3 innings. The Angels won for only

the second time in eight games.

Joey Butler had two of the Rays' five hits.

Tampa Bay has scored two or fewer runs in 26 games this season.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: 1B C.J. Cron's left hand was sore after being struck by a pitch Wednesday night. He grounded out

as a pinch-hitter in the ninth.

Athletics-Angels Preview The Los Angeles Angels finally seem to have started taking advantage of the tear Albert Pujols has been on lately.

With the veteran slugger in position for another milestone, the Angels look to continue their recent success against the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a three-game series Friday night. Pujols is hitting .373 with nine homers, 15 RBIs and 13 runs over the past 13 games, a stretch that has bumped his season batting average 32 points to .267. "I'm catching more breaks, I guess," Pujols said. "I've been swinging the bat well all year long and if you stay with that approach, sooner or later they're going to fall. I'm not going out there and trying to hit a home run every time, just trying to put on a good swing and let the rest take care of itself." Pujols had a two-run shot among his two hits and Los Angeles (30-30) rallied for a 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday - only its second win in eight games.

His hot hitting is now coinciding with some history. Pujols' homer against the Rays marked the 537th of his career - moving him past Mickey Mantle for 16th all-time - and his 1,635 RBIs are one shy of tying Ernie Banks for 29th on that list.

June 12, 2015 Page 18 of 20

Pujols has a .325 average against the A's (25-37) in Anaheim and he's 7 for 16 (.438) with a home run off scheduled starter Jesse Chavez. Los Angeles has won 11 of its last 15 against Oakland, which ended a four-game skid with Wednesday's 5-4 win over Texas before capping the three-game set with a 7-0 victory. Chavez (2-6, 2.51 ERA) would appreciate a similar offensive effort since he's getting an average of 1.39 runs of support this season - the lowest in the majors by over a run. He's been backed by five total runs while losing four of five road starts despite a 3.48 ERA. The venue hasn't made a difference in four career starts against the Angels, with the right-hander going 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA with two total runs of support prior to receiving no runs while losing both meetings this season.

Chavez only had himself to blame Saturday, giving up four runs and 10 hits in five innings of a 4-2 loss at Boston after going 16 innings without allowing an earned run while splitting his previous two starts. "The only small difference I saw was he was a little bit up," catcher Stephen Vogt told MLB's official website. "Typically, if he makes a mistake over the plate, it's down, and he made a couple out and over the plate that he doesn't do, so that was a little different. But if you go back and watch, he still made some good pitches." Los Angeles is turning to Hector Santiago (4-3, 2.55), who's 3-0 with a 1.01 ERA in six career starts against the A's. The left-hander yielded one run and three hits with a season-high eight strikeouts in six innings of a 14-1 home victory April 21.

Santiago was knocked around in his most recent start June 3, surrendering five runs and two homers while hitting two batters in five innings of a 6-5 loss in 10 to Tampa Bay. He allowed one of two inherited runners to score in 3 2-3 innings of relief in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the New York Yankees. Santiago has allowed Josh Reddick to go 4 for 9 off him. The right fielder is 9 for 18 with one homer and three doubles in five games and is 9 for 19 (.474) in his last five meetings with Los Angeles.

Pujols hits 537th homer to pass Mantle Albert Pujols has hit his 537th homer to move past Mickey Mantle into sole possession of 16th place on the career list.

The Los Angeles Angels slugger connected in the ninth inning of Thursday night's game at Tampa Bay to break a tie with the New York Yankees great.

Pujols hit a two-run shot to left on an 0-1 pitch from Preston Guilmet. He has gone deep nine times in his last 13 games.

June 12, 2015 Page 19 of 20

Mike Schmidt is in 15th place with 548 homers.

RECAP: Trout, Pujols homer in Angels' win over Rays

Albert Pujols hit his 537th home run Thursday night to move ahead of Mickey Mantle into 16th place on the all-time list and complete the scoring for the Los Angeles Angels in a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Pujols' 17th home run of the season, which came in the ninth inning off Preston Guilmet, was his 1,122nd extra-base hit, tying Manny Ramirez for 14th place in that category. The 35-year-old first baseman has 1,685 RBIs, one short of Ernie Banks who is 29th on the all-time list. Mike Trout drove in two runs with his 17th home run and a double. Trout, who had three straight hits, hit his sixth homer in 11 games off Rays starter Alex Colome for the Angels' first run. Trout's two-out double off Brad Boxberger drove in another run in the seventh after rookie Kyle Kubitza's single had given Los Angeles its first lead of the game, 3-2. Pujols' home run was his second of the series and ninth in 13 games. Garrett Richards (6-4) pitched seven innings for the Angels, giving up two runs and four hits while striking out seven. Former Angel Kevin Jepsen (1-4) took the loss after giving up all three runs in the decisive seventh. Steven Souza Jr.'s 12th home run gave the Rays a 2-0 lead in the second after Richards walked Logan Forsythe. That score stood until Trout's homer in the sixth. Colome gave up one run and four hits while striking out four in 5 1/3 innings. The Angels had 14 hits in winning for only the second time in eight games. Joey Butler had two of the Rays' five hits. TRAINER'S ROOM Angels: 1B C.J. Cron's left hand was sore after being struck by a pitch Wednesday night. He grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth.

Angels recall Kubitza from Triple-A and cut Nieuwenhuis ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Los Angeles Angels have recalled third baseman Kyle Kubitza from Triple-A Salt Lake and designated outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis for assignment. The moves were made before Wednesday night's game against Tampa Bay.

June 12, 2015 Page 20 of 20

Kubitza was scheduled to make his major league debut Wednesday, filling in for David Freese, who left Tuesday night's 8-2 win over the Rays with right hamstring tightness. ''Right now it looks like it's something that's very manageable,'' Angels manager Mike Sciosica said of Freese's injury. ''Hopefully, we're talking a matter of days, but whatever it takes, it takes.'' Freese, hitting .239 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 58 games this season, extended his hitting streak to 12 games Tuesday, Nieuwenhuis hit .136 in 10 games with the Angels.