Hamilton finds timing quickly after late start

ANAHEIM -- Josh Hamilton, sidelined early in Spring Training camp by a strained left calf, didn't appear in his first official game until March 17, with less than two weeks of Spring Training remaining.

But it didn't take him all that long to find his timing.

The Angels' left fielder batted .333/.378/.606 in 11 Cactus League games. And through the first two games of the 2014 season, Hamilton is 3-for-6 with a double and two walks. Last year, he recorded one hit in his first 21 at-bats.

"I think he's ready," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said prior to Tuesday's game. "Josh did a lot more work than just the at-bats you saw in games. He got [33] at-bats in spring, plus what he did really for 10 straight days, down hitting live pitching in Field 2 off the Minor League pitchers. I think the combination of the two created a real comfort level for him. There's no doubt he's comfortable in the box and he's ready to go."