Weaver roughed up in Angels' 6-5 loss to Diamondbacks
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Randall Delgado has simplified his approach this spring: just throw it.
The results have been impressive.
Delgado struck out Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and David Freese to finish a perfect three-inning outing in the Diamondbacks' 6-5 victory Wednesday over the Los Angeles Angels.
"It's not like last year where I was trying to focus on work," said Delgado. "I'm just trying to let it go. I've been feeling good physically and trying to bring to the game what I've been learning."
Delgado was 4-4 with a 4.87 ERA in 47 appearances and four starts last year. This spring, as he tries to earn a spot at the back end of the rotation, Delgado has thrown five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.
"I'm just trying to make quality pitches and get in a good rhythm," he said.
The Diamondbacks took their only lead in the bottom of the eighth when Nick Evans and Socrates Brito hit consecutive RBI doubles off the Angels' sixth pitcher, Jeremy McBride.
Brandon Drury homered off Jered Weaver in the fourth.
"More than anything he was fighting his mechanics," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of his starter. "There's no doubt about that. But Weave is Weave. He's going to be there."
STARTING TIME
Angels: Weaver went back out for the fourth inning. His final pitch landed over the left field wall on Drury's leadoff homer. Weaver went three-plus innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out three. Uncharacteristically, Weaver's velocity hovered in the mid-80s.
"Guys go through a progression in spring," said Scioscia.
Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits over three innings but closed his outing by retiring the final six batters he faced. Ray has allowed four earned runs in five innings over two starts with three walks and two strikeouts.
"I need to be able to command my fastball on both sides of the plate and I had trouble commanding inside," Ray said.
TRAINING ROOM
Angels: LHP C.J. Wilson has been scratched from his start Thursday after tweaking his knee during fielding drills earlier in the week. Wilson is expected back in action in a couple of days. ... RHP Huston Street was given the day off with flu-like symptoms. ... RHP Joe Smith, who is expected to be Street's setup man, has been fighting lower leg stiffness and is scheduled to throw a bullpen Thursday.
Diamondbacks: C Oscar Hernandez, who left Tuesday's 6-5 loss to Oakland early, broke the hamate bone in his left hand and will undergo surgery on Thursday morning. "He doesn't ever not catch a ball perfect and he wasn't catching it," said Arizona manager Chip Hale. The Diamondbacks selected Hernandez in the Rule 5 draft. ... SS Chris Owings, who is coming off shoulder surgery, will bat leadoff in a seven-inning "B'' game Thursday. . Hale said RHP Brad Ziegler, who threw live batting practice Wednesday, looked great.
UP NEXT
Angels: 21-year-old LHP Sean Newcomb, the 15th overall pick in last June's draft, will start in place of Wilson. Newcomb will start at home against the Chicago Cubs.
Diamondbacks: RHP Allen Webster will start at home against the Cincinnati Reds. RHP Josh Collmenter will start in a "B'' game earlier Thursday against the Reds.