Johnson hit hard with spot in rotation at stake

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Angels unveiled what is expected to be their everyday lineup for the regular season for the first time this spring on Wednesday.

But the performances from the game's two young starters will likely be remembered the most in the 14-10 victory by the Angels over the White Sox at Camelback Ranch.

Angels starter Tyler Skaggs was charged with five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out two batters and walked three. Skaggs appears to be the favorite to win the fifth spot in the rotation but the 22-year-old remains a work in progress.

White Sox starter Erik Johnson, 24, the organization's No. 3 prospect in 2013, was hit hard during the outing and was eventually removed from the game after giving up a home run to Mike Trout and a double to Albert Pujols in the top of the fifth.

"We're going to have a lot more opportunities this year with Albert healthy and Josh [Hamilton] healthy," Trout said. "We just have to stay healthy. I think that's the big thing."

In the end, Johnson was charged with eight runs, seven earned, on eight hits in four-plus innings. He struck out three and walked two batters. He's competing for a spot in the rotation behind Chris Sale, John Danks and Jose Quintana.

"Obviously, it wasn't the outing that I had planned or imagined," Johnson said. "You put yourself in holes and you give away free bases, you are putting yourself in bad spots and you are going to have to pay for it."

Johnson gave up three doubles, including two to Pujols, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Trout went 1-for-2 and Hamilton, playing his second game since coming back from a strained left calf, went 1-for-3. Kole Calhoun notched two hits.

"I feel prepared," Johnson said. "I know what I have to do to have success and it's not putting yourself in holes and working from behind."

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu finished 3-for-4 with a home run to help pace Chicago's offense. Matt Davidson also hit a home run, his second of Spring Training, for Chicago.

Up next: The White Sox are off on Thursday and will resume play on Friday against the Cubs at Camelback Ranch on MLB.TV at 3:05 p.m. CT. Matt Lindstrom, who has not pitched in a Cactus League game because of a strained left oblique, is expected to make his spring debut on Friday. John Danks is scheduled to make the start.