Homers help Angels power past Gallo, Texas

March 13th, 2016

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Johnny Giavotella hit a three-run home run off Rangers pitcher Anthony Ranaudo to help lift the Angels to a 7-3 victory on Sunday afternoon before a sellout crowd at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Giavotella's home run came in the seventh inning with the Angels leading, 2-1. It was his first home run of the spring.
Rangers starter Derek Holland went four innings and allowed two runs on three hits and two walks. He walked two in the first inning and had an unearned run on shortstop Jurickson Profar's throwing error. He allowed a fourth-inning home run to former Ranger Geovany Soto.

"I'm still trying to get outs and just execute my pitches," Holland said. "The first inning, I was rushing and didn't let my defense make plays. After that, I found my groove and executed better as the game went on."
Angels starter Matt Shoemaker allowed just one run in four innings despite allowing four walks. The only run came off Joey Gallo's second home run of the spring, a monster blast that went into the parking lot beyond the right-field wall. Shoemaker retired eight of the last nine batters he faced.

"The third and fourth [innings], that's where I need to be," Shoemaker said. "The first and second were rough, with the balls and stuff. I was trying to tweak some things versus competing in the first and second. It was the stuff I was working on in the bullpen, the rhythm and timing of my delivery. It's my fault for taking it out into the game."
Up next for Angels: With Jered Weaver slated to visit a spine specialist on the day of his scheduled start, starting-pitching prospect Nate Smith will fill in when the Angels host the Reds at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Monday. Game time is 1:10 p.m. PT. Smith, ranked third in the Angels' system by MLBPipeline.com, has struggled this spring, giving up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.
Watch the action live on MLB.TV.
Up next for Rangers: Right-hander A.J. Griffin pitches for the Rangers when they face the Indians on Monday at 3:05 p.m. CT in Goodyear. Griffin will be making his third Cactus League appearance as he makes his case to be the fifth starter. Left-hander Cesar Ramos, another fifth-starter candidate, also is scheduled to pitch. The game can be heard exclusively on rangers.com.