June 18, 2017 Page 1 of 20

Clips

(June 18, 2017)

June 18, 2017 Page 2 of 20

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Alex Meyer, bullpen combine for two-hit shutout in Angels' 9-0 win

Angels put right-hander Matt Shoemaker on the disabled list

Mike Trout to travel with Angels

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 6)

Alex Meyer blanks Royals while Angels bats explode

Angels Notes: Matt Shoemaker to the DL, Tuesday starter undetermined

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 10)

Ramirez goes for series split in finale

Three homers help Halos halt Royals' streak

Pujols passes Ott with #ASGWorthy homer

Maybin reaches base in 22nd straight game

Cron following in his father's footsteps

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 15)

Angels get 3 homers to snap Royals' six-game win streak

FROM ESPN.COM (Page 17)

Albert Pujols reflects on hitting 600 HR mark

Mike Trout to travel with Angels, take rehab swings

June 18, 2017 Page 3 of 20

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Alex Meyer, bullpen combine for two-hit shutout in Angels' 9-0 win

By Pedro Moura

Sitting on a dugout bench during Friday’s middle innings at Angel Stadium, Alex Meyer engaged Garrett

Richards in an extended conversation about pitching. Richards has missed almost all of this season

because of a strength-sapping irritated nerve in his biceps, but he has retained his plain perspective

about how to retire major league hitters.

He instructed Meyer to concern himself less with where he was throwing his fastball and more about

throwing it with conviction.

“Throw it 0-0,” Richards told him in his typically terse fashion. “Throw it over the middle. Let them try

and hit it.”

Meyer did as advised and pitched the Angels to a 9-0 thrashing of Kansas City on Saturday night. When

he first stepped to the mound, he missed wildly with his first three fastballs to the Royals’ Whit

Merrifield. He stopped atop the mound, thought of his teammate, unwound his 6-foot-9 frame, and

tried merely to fire a fastball somewhere over the strike zone. He started to throw strikes.

“I’m not saying that’s the whole key to everything tonight,” Meyer said. “But that definitely played into

it.”

Meyer’s season to date has offered a study in what a major league pitcher can achieve when he throws

as hard as anyone and fires off curveballs as sharp as anyone, but lacks the ability to repeat his delivery

on command and, thus, throw consistently to an exact area.

Early results have proved passable. His 4.05 earned-run average entering Saturday was better than

anyone expected, despite one of the highest walk rates in baseball. On Saturday night at Angel Stadium,

Meyer added an experimental group: What happens when he just throws the ball inside the strike zone

as often as possible?

“This is one of the games that you hope for, where he bottled the stuff with command,” Angels manager

Mike Scioscia said. “He was in the zone with terrific stuff all afternoon.”

After Meyer settled against Merrifield, only 29 of his next 91 pitches were called balls. His 66% overall

strike ratio was his best, by far, in 15 major league starts.

“We knew he had a good fastball that tended to be a bit erratic,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “But he

actually threw the ball really good.”

Merrifield, a second-year player surging this season, said he would have liked to bat a few more times

against Meyer, whose stuff he did not deem unique.

June 18, 2017 Page 4 of 20

“His fastball was a fastball,” Merrifield said. “His curveball was a curveball.”

Using those two pitches through five innings, Meyer struck out eight without walking anyone. His

defense failed him in the sixth. Third baseman Yunel Escobar bobbled Drew Butera’s leadoff grounder.

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons quickly started a double play on Merrifield’s subsequent grounder, but

second baseman Danny Espinosa did not secure the ball before he tried to throw to first base and

dropped it. Both Royals runners were safe.

The same two infielders collaborated on a successful double play when Jorge Bonifacio next grounded to

short. After Meyer walked Lorenzo Cain, right-hander Blake Parker began to warm in the Angels’

bullpen. But Meyer struck out Eric Hosmer with his hurtling curveball and bounded off the mound

knowing the best start of his career was over

After his five-walk outing Monday against the New York Yankees, Meyer described feeling like he was on

the defensive more than the opposition, always averting harm.

“Today, I tried to do that a little different, put them on their heels,” he said. “I feel like I did a pretty

good job at that.”

In relief, Parker handled the seventh, returning right-hander Cam Bedrosian the eighth, and long man

Yusmeiro Petit

the ninth for his first work in four days.

Cameron Maybin redirected Jakob Junis’ first pitch of the game to center field for a leadoff home run.

Making the fourth start of his major league career, Junis hit two Angels back to back in the second inning

but otherwise evaded hard contact until the fourth, when Luis Valbuena, Simmons, Martin Maldonado,

and Espinosa strung together singles, the last scoring two runs.

Albert Pujols brought in two more in the fifth with the 602nd home run of his career. Soon after, Yost

called in Chris Young, the only major league pitcher taller than Meyer, who offers a blueprint for how

lanky right-handers can sustain success. Over his career, Young has been able to find the strike zone just

fine. As he has aged, though, opponents have found his softly tossed pitches even better.

The Angels (36-36) added four runs against him in the seventh, three scoring when Valbuena swatted a

fastball into the right-field bleachers. Maybin doubled, stole third, and scampered home on a groundout

for the fourth.

Richards, too, did not sustain success until his fourth big league season, when he was 26. Meyer is 27

now, on his third organization. Outside of their six-inch height contrast, they are similar pitchers, reliant

on elite, often unwieldy fastballs and hard breaking balls.

“He was comparing me to him and the things that he struggled with coming up," Meyer said. "What he

did when he came up was throw it over the middle, let them swing, take your chances at 95-96 and let

them get themselves out.”

June 18, 2017 Page 5 of 20

Meyer acknowledged that there is more to successful pitching than that. Fastballs must land freely on

either side of the plate. The threat of a breaking ball thrown for a called strike must exist. But Richards’

basic idea is sound: Both pitchers' fastballs are fast enough that they need not be perfectly placed.

“He just simplified things,” Meyer said.

Angels put right-hander Matt Shoemaker on the disabled list

By Pedro Moura

The strain in the extensor muscles of Matt Shoemaker’s right forearm has abated a bit, but not enough,

and the Angels put the right-hander on the 10-day disabled list Saturday. He will miss at least one turn

through the club’s starting rotation.

The strain surfaced two starts ago in Houston. It returned an inning into his Wednesday start against

the New York Yankees, forcing his premature exit. While he has not had further tests, he said the

soreness seems to be improving.

“It’s just a little spot on the top of my forearm,” Shoemaker said Saturday. “I’m not really worried about

it at all. It’s just an annoying little spot. Hopefully, it goes away quick, which it should, I guess.”

Shoemaker, 30, missed most of September 2015 because of a forearm strain, but he said that injury was

in another area, and, according to team doctors, more severe.

He has not thrown since Wednesday, and won’t for a few days more. He said he will travel with the

Angels to New York and Boston, though the earliest date he can be activated is June 25, the last day of

the trip.

The Angels recalled right-hander Parker Bridwell to take Shoemaker’s roster spot. They also lined up

Bridwell to take Shoemaker’s rotation spot Tuesday in New York, although Angels manager Mike

Scioscia said he was unwilling to say for certain until the weekend’s end.

Bridwell, a 25-year-old Texan acquired from Baltimore in April, succeeded in one spot start last month

and a relief appearance behind Shoemaker on Wednesday.

Mike Trout to travel with Angels

Scioscia said Mike Trout will travel with the team on the upcoming trip, which begins after Sunday’s

series finale against Kansas City. The injured center fielder is throwing and running and plans to resume

swinging a bat early in the week.

Trout expressed interest in traveling to the East Coast when he first tore the ulnar collateral ligament in

his left thumb in May. Yankee Stadium is two hours from his hometown of Millville, N.J., and presents

him an opportunity to see family and friends.

The club’s athletic training staff can also monitor his recovery.

June 18, 2017 Page 6 of 20

“They want to keep an eye on him, certainly, when he starts swinging,” Scioscia said.

After a workout in Saturday’s afternoon heat at Angel Stadium, Trout said he was still feeling some

soreness in the thumb.

“Each day, it gets better,” Trout said.

Short hops

The Angels activated right-handed reliever Cam Bedrosian from the disabled list and optioned right-

hander Daniel Wright to triple-A Salt Lake. Bedrosian was the team’s top reliever before he strained his

groin in April. Bud Norris has since usurped the closer role. Scioscia indicated Bedrosian’s first

appearance will come in a lower-leverage situation. … The location of veteran right-hander Doug

Fister’s next start remains undecided, Scioscia said. He started Friday for Salt Lake and can request his

release if not promoted by Wednesday. … Surging outfielder Eric Young Jr. returned to the Angels lineup

Saturday after not starting Friday for the first time since he was called up when Trout got hurt. Scioscia

said Young is not an option to play first or second base for an extended time when Trout returns.

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Alex Meyer blanks Royals while Angels bats explode

By Jeff Fletcher

ANAHEIM — Before Alex Meyer came along, there was Garrett Richards: a hard-throwing pitcher with

command issues, who some figured might be better off in the bullpen.

On the eve of Meyer’s best big league performance, in the Angels’ 9-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals

on Saturday, he sat in the dugout with Richards and went to school.

Richards told him what pushed him over the hump.

“He just kind of simplified things,” Meyer recalled. “Trust (the fastball). Just throw it over the middle and

let them hit it. I’m not saying that’s the whole key to everything, but that definitely played into it.”

Although obviously an oversimplification, the point is that Meyer’s raw stuff is good enough that he

doesn’t need to worry about painting corners. He needs to worry about throwing strikes, because that

puts hitters in a hole and leaves them vulnerable to his curve and slider.

On Saturday night, he did it all in impressive fashion, blanking the Royals on just two hits. He struck out

nine and — most impressive — he walked just one.

“That’s one of the games you hope for,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He bottled the stuff with the

command. He was in the zone with terrific stuff all afternoon, and gave us a big lift.”

June 18, 2017 Page 7 of 20

Meyer has gradually been putting the pieces together ever since the Angels got him at the trading deadline

last summer. He was inconsistent in the big leagues last September. After a winter tightening up his

delivery, spring training was a story of ups and downs. His initial starts this season in the big leagues were

more of the same.

Now, though, he’s posted a 1.91 ERA over a six-start stretch.

“If you go back to where he was last year or where he was in spring training, he’s moved light years

ahead,” Scioscia said.

Against the Royals — the team that walks the least in the majors — he even almost managed to get

through a game with a zero in that column. He finally walked Lorenzo Cain in the sixth inning.

His next goals, he said, are to finally get through a game with no walks, and to finally finish the seventh

inning. He has done neither.

While Meyer was dominating the Royals, he watched his teammates put together an impressive all-around

offense attack, much welcomed after they’d scored three runs in the previous two games.

Cameron Maybin led off the game with a homer, which extended his streak to 22 straight games reaching

by a hit or walk.

“A blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while, and I was able to find one,” Maybin said off his fourth

homer of the season.

Although Maybin has been one of the Angels’ hottest hitters, the other runs came from a few hitters who

had been cold.

Danny Espinosa drove in two with a bases-loaded single in the fourth. Espinosa is still hitting just .170 but

in his last 14 games he’s hitting .267.

Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer, career No. 602. It also gave him 1,8675 RBI, which passed Mel Ott to

move into 10th place all-time. Pujols had been hitting .156 since the game in which he hit his 600th homer

two weeks ago.

Luis Valbuena added a three-run homer in the seventh. Valbuena is batting .185.

“We need to get deeper,” Scioscia said. “We need more guys swinging the bat well. This afternoon we got

some, and hopefully it will continue.”

Angels Notes: Matt Shoemaker to the DL, Tuesday starter undetermined

By Jeff Fletcher

ANAHEIM — The Angels are still undecided who will start Tuesday, but it won’t be Matt Shoemaker.

June 18, 2017 Page 8 of 20

Shoemaker was placed on the 10-day disabled list because of forearm tightness on Saturday, three days

after leaving a start because of the condition.

Although Shoemaker said at the time he wasn’t concerned, and in subsequent days that it was getting

better, the Angels weren’t confident enough to pencil him back into the rotation.

Because of Monday’s off day, the Angels could have pushed his start back as far as next Saturday without

placing him on the disabled list. However, a DL stint can only be backdated three days, so if the Angels

waited and then had to put him on the DL, he might miss more time than he would by going on the DL

now.

“He was not going to be able to make his next start,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “With Shoe, we don’t

want him looking at a schedule and thinking ‘I have to be ready to pitch,’ and starting to push through

things that he shouldn’t. We want to make sure he has enough time (for the injury) to calm down. Make

sure he’s 100 percent before he goes out there.”

Parker Bridwell was recalled to take Shoemaker’s roster spot, and he is a candidate to start on Tuesday in

New York. Bridwell has allowed three earned runs in 9 2/3 innings in the majors this season, including a six-

inning start on May 30.

If it’s not Bridwell, the only other logical alternative would be Ricky Nolasco, who would simply be moved

up from his turn on Wednesday. He would still be pitching on four days rest. If the Angels kept the other

three starters on four days rest, the vacancy wouldn’t come up until Saturday.

As for Doug Fister, he gave up five runs in five-plus innings of his third start at Triple-A Salt Lake City Friday

night. Fister gave up seven runs in 15 2/3 innings in his three starts. It was his final appearance before his

opt-out date, which is Wednesday. Scioscia said the organization is still undecided where Fister’s next

outing will be.

The choices are to bring him up and start him anytime after Tuesday, to grant his release at his request or

to convince him to remain in the minors for at least one more start. Scioscia said earlier this week that

bringing Fister up as a reliever is not a likely option.

TROUT UPDATE

Mike Trout is expected to go on the Angels trip next week, while his rehab will begin to include holding a

bat, Scioscia said.

Trout had thumb surgery May 31, with a projected rehab time of six to eight weeks. He’s now wearing a

brace and doing therapy. He has been running and throwing.

After an on-field workout Saturday, he said he’s progressing.

“It’s definitely sore,” he said. “Each day it gets better.”

June 18, 2017 Page 9 of 20

HEANEY UPDATE

Andrew Heaney has been throwing “up-down” bullpen sessions, which include breaks to simulate pitching

multiple innings, and he said he is within a couple weeks of going to Arizona to face hitters. That final

phase of rehab should take about six weeks, similar to spring training.

Heaney could then be ready to pitch at some level sometime late this summer.

“I don’t know in what capacity, but I’m going to pitch somewhere,” Heaney said this week, “as long as I

don’t have any setbacks.”

The Angels had said after Heaney’s Tommy John surgery, on July 1, 2016, that they weren’t expecting him

to pitch in the majors until 2018. As he’s made continued progress, the organization seems to have

softened.

“I’m open to him pitching this year, but I’ve also reached acceptance that if he doesn’t, he doesn’t,”

general manager Billy Eppler said Saturday.

Heaney said his most important goal is simply to finish this season healthy enough that he can have a

normal winter and go into spring training without limitations. Any pitching beyond that would be a bonus.

Simply getting to Arizona to face hitters is nonetheless significant.

“I haven’t faced a hitter since last April,” he said, “so it’s a big deal for me.”

ALSO

As expected, the Angels activated Cam Bedrosian, who had missed nearly two months with a groin injury.

Bedrosian is expected to pitch initially in a low-leverage spot, and then move into the late-inning mix, but

not be the closer. Bud Norris has a 2.51 ERA and 11 saves…

Daniel Wright was optioned to clear a spot for Bedrosian. Wright can’t be recalled within 10 days, unless

it’s to replace a player who goes on the disabled list, so he’s likely not a candidate to fill the immediate

rotation vacancy…

Nate Smith, at one point thought to be the organization’s top starting pitching prospect, is still rehabbing

from a shoulder injury. Smith, who has pitched one game this season at Triple-A, is throwing bullpen

sessions now, so he’s at least a few weeks from being an option for a major league promotion.

June 18, 2017 Page 10 of 20

FROM ANGELS.COM

Ramirez goes for series split in finale

By Jeffrey Flanagan / MLB.com

Royals left-hander Jason Vargas will be seeking his 10th win this season when he takes the mound

against the Angels on Sunday. Vargas will be opposed by right-hander JC Ramirez.

Vargas is putting together a career year, and one that should be recognized come All-Star time,

according to manager Ned Yost.

Full Game Coverage

"He's certainly deserving," Yost said. "He's been as good as anyone in the league."

Vargas was dominant again his last time out on Tuesday. In an 8-1 win over San Francisco, Vargas gave

up one run and five hits over seven innings while striking out six.

Vargas, a former Angel, is 6-4 with a 3.02 ERA against his former club in 16 appearances, 15 of those

starts.

Ramirez went 6 2/3 innings against the Yankees in his last start, allowing two earned runs while striking

out seven. He also set a career-high with 111 pitches in that game.

Three things to know about this game

• Ramirez is making his second start of the season against the Royals. He gave up five runs in five innings

against them in April.

• Third baseman Mike Moustakas is the only current Royal to have homered off Ramirez.

• Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has the fourth-highest hard-contact rate (95-plus exit velocity) in the

Majors at 13.2 percent.

Three homers help Halos halt Royals' streak

By Jeffrey Flanagan and Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Angels right-hander Alex Meyer matched a career-high with nine strikeouts and Albert

Pujols belted a two-run blast to take sole possession of 10th all-time on the career RBI list to lead the

Halos to a 9-0 win over Kansas City on Saturday night at Angel Stadium.

Meyer tossed six shutout innings, relinquishing just two hits and permitting one walk en route to

snapping the Royals' season-best six-game win streak. The 6-foot-9 flamethrower earned his first win

since May 14.

June 18, 2017 Page 11 of 20

Full Game Coverage

"If you go back to where he was last year, and if you go back to where he was at in Spring Training, he's

moved light years ahead," Angels manager Mike Scioscia of Meyer's performance. "That's going to be

important for his growth."

"The more you're out there, the more comfortable you get," said Meyer, who lowered his ERA to 3.52

with the win. "It's a matter of being consistent."

Cameron Maybin belted a home run off of Royals starter Jake Junis' first pitch of the game. The Kansas

City rookie relinquished five runs on eight hits, including Pujols' fifth-inning shot, permitting no walks

and striking out six before exiting after 5 1/3 innings.

"I thought it was a decent pitch," Junis said of the pitch to Pujols. "I thought he swung through the same

pitch a couple of times before, but that's why he's one of the greatest hitters of all time."

Luis Valbuena added a three-run insurance home run off Royals reliever Chris Young during the Angels'

four-run seventh inning. Relievers Blake Parker, Cam Bedrosian and Yusmeiro Petit combined for three

shutout innings to draw Los Angeles back to .500 at 36-36.

"We got on a little roll today," Meyer said. "It was a big game for us after losing the first couple of the

series."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Kansas City blues: The Royals were unable to take advantage after winning a challenge during the top of

the sixth inning. Danny Espinosa's error at second set the table for Jorge Bonifacio with runners on first

and second with none out, but the right fielder grounded into 6-4-3 double play, and two at-bats later,

Meyer struck out his ninth batter of the day, maintaining the Angels' 5-0 lead.

"You don't see many curve balls like that," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Meyer. "[Astros starter

Lance] McCullers has one. But not many guys have that."

Breaking it open: Espinosa scored two with a bases-loaded single to give the Angels a 3-0 lead in the

bottom of the fourth. Espinosa, who struggled through an 0-for-36 slump in early May, is 12-for-46

(.260) with 11 RBIs in his last 14 games.

QUOTABLE

"They say a blind squirrel will find a nut every once in awhile. I guess I was able to find a nut." -- Maybin,

on his 2-for-4 game

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Dating back to May 14, Maybin has reached safely in 22 straight contests.

UNDER FURTHER REVIEW

Drew Butera was ruled out upon taking second base when Whit Merrifield grounded into a 6-4 putout,

which was mishandled by Espinosa before he stepped on the base. The Royals challenged the call, and

June 18, 2017 Page 12 of 20

after review, the call was overturned and Butera was safe at second base. Kansas City is now 14-3 on

challenges this season.

WHAT'S NEXT

Royals: Left-hander Jason Vargas (9-3, 2.10 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals on Sunday at 2:37 p.m.

CT in the series finale against the Angels. Vargas gave up one run over seven innings in the Royals' 8-1

win over the Giants on Tuesday.

Angels: Right-hander JC Ramirez (6-4, 4.19) will take the ball for Sunday's series finale against Kansas

City at 12:37 p.m. PT. Ramirez tossed a career-high 111 pitches while drawing a no-decision in his last

outing in the Angels' 3-2 win over the Yankees. He allowed two runs and struck out seven batters in 6

2/3 innings.

Pujols passes Ott with #ASGWorthy homer

Angels slugger takes sole possession of No. 10 on MLB's RBI list

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- With his 1,864th and 1,865th RBIs, Albert Pujols surpassed Mel Ott for 10th on MLB's all-

time RBI list. It marks the most RBIs ever hit by a player born outside the U.S.

The Angels slugger launched a two-run home run off Kansas City rookie pitcher Jake Junis on Saturday

night at Angel Stadium for his 602nd career homer, giving Los Angeles a 5-0 lead over the Royals in the

bottom of the fifth inning of the Halos' 9-0 win.

Full Game Coverage

"I thought it was a decent pitch," Junis said of the offering. "I thought he swung through the same pitch

a couple of times before, but that's why he's one of the greatest hitters of all time."

• Cast your Esurance All-Star Game Ballot for Pujols and other #ASGWorthy players

Because RBIs became an official Major League statistic in 1920, Elias' tally begins at that date. Due to the

uncertain nature of record-keeping in the early part of the 20th century, some discrepancies may exist

between the stats provided today by different historical data providers. MLB.com utilizes different

statistics than Elias.

By MLB.com's count, Pujols has the 12th-most RBIs, also behind Cap Anson and Ty Cobb, whose RBIs

were not official at the time and have been excluded by Elias.

June 18, 2017 Page 13 of 20

Maybin reaches base in 22nd straight game

Angels outfielder goes 2-for-4 with homer, stolen base

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Before Saturday night's 9-0 win over Kansas City, Cameron Maybintook a moment to

himself and knelt down in the shadow cast over left field.

"I pray before every game," Maybin said. "That's all it is."

Full Game Coverage

Perhaps his performance Saturday then was divinely influenced. Maybin went 2-for-4, with a leadoff

homer -- the fourth leadoff jack of his career -- along with a double and his American League-leading

21st stolen base.

"It's always good to start off a game like that," Maybin said. "Any time I can get on base, good things

happen."

Saturday marked the 22nd straight game the outfielder has reached base safely. He's raised his batting

average 53 points (from .214 to .267) over that span.

"Cam's been such a spark plug for us," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "After he got his feet on the

ground, probably the first 30 games, in the first month of the season or so, he's settled in, especially

moving to the leadoff hole."

Maybin has patrolled center field with Mike Trout nursing a torn UCL in his left thumb. The veteran's

presence has been monumental to the club, as he boasts the Angels' third-highest Wins Above

Replacement at 1.9, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

"He keeps going," Scioscia said. "He's been as good as anybody in baseball."

Maybin said he's simply trying to do his best to serve as an offensive catalyst for the team.

"I'm just trying to make something happen," he said. "Not trying to do too much, taking what they give

me. Having teammates to drive me in and pick me up is always fun."

Cron following in his father's footsteps

Halos' first baseman grew up around the game

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

June 18, 2017 Page 14 of 20

ANAHEIM -- C.J. Cron doesn't remember much from his father's playing days. When Chris Cron broke

into the Majors with the Angels in 1991, his eldest son was one-year old, too young for any of those

memories to take hold.

But C.J. has plenty of recollections of Chris' career as a Minor League coach and manager. He spent the

summers of his youth following his father to towns like Hickory, N.C., and Birmingham, Ala., where he

saw his own baseball development begin to take shape.

"I guess I kind of grew up around the game," C.J said. "You almost can't even pinpoint stuff because I

don't know any different. We were always hitting, we were always taking ground balls, we were always

playing catch. Ever since I was born, I was in all that stuff.

"Just being around all the teams that he used to coach, I think helped me a lot," he added. "It definitely

plays a big part in where I am today."

Chris, now the Minor League hitting coordinator for the D-backs, also believes C.J.'s early exposure to

the game granted him a wealth of knowledge that he still carries with him as a first baseman for the

Angels.

"I don't know exactly how he got all the little nuances of the game," Chris said in a phone interview. "I

always say that I could not feasibly teach my kids everything that they've ever learned, but being that

they were always there in the Minor Leagues for umpteen years, osmosis took over and it just sunk in,

somehow, someway."

Given Chris' own trajectory in professional baseball, it seemed natural that C.J. would also gravitate

toward the sport.

Baseball was always on in the Cron household, and Chris recalls C.J. hammering softballs, sliding and

imitating the players he saw on television as a kid. As he grew older, C.J.'s talent began to emerge. By

the time he got to the University of Utah and became a two-time All American, it became clear to Chris

that his son had a future in the big leagues.

In 2011, the Angels selected C.J. with their first-round Draft pick, bringing him into the same

organization where his father had spent the bulk of his 12-year playing career.

"It was a special night," Chris said.

Chris typically makes a trip out to Angel Stadium to see C.J. play once a year, but he watches all his at-

bats on television and is always available as a hitting resource for his son.

"I would love for him to use me more," Chris joked.

Said C.J.: "At this point in my life, I know exactly what he's going to say every time. I've been hearing it

for years upon years. But it's always nice to hear what he has to say. I always take it to heart. And he

knows if I ever have questions, I go right to him, so that's kind of how it works."

June 18, 2017 Page 15 of 20

Regardless of C.J.'s results on a given night, Chris always makes sure to send him an encouraging text

message after each game, assuming his primary role as a parent rather than a coach in his son's life.

"I'm there as the father more so than the hitting guy," Chris said. "It doesn't matter how they're doing. If

it's good or it's poor, you're always still trying to be the regular parent and just say, 'Hey man, I'm so

proud of you. Just keep doing what you're doing because you're living your dream.'"

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Angels get 3 homers to snap Royals' six-game win streak

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Everyone could see the potential. Alex Meyer could fire a fastball in the mid-90s, drop

a curve to buckle knees. The Washington Nationals took him as the 23rd player in 2011 draft and

everyone waited.

If success did not come quickly, there was no denying he looked like a pitcher ready to deliver in the Los

Angeles Angels' 9-0 victory over Kansas City on Saturday that snapped the Royals' six-game winning

streak.

"This is one of those games you hope for, where he bottles the stuff with command," Angels manager

Mike Scioscia said. "He was in the zone with terrific stuff all afternoon."

Bolstered by home runs from Cameron Maybin, Albert Pujols and Luis Valbuena, Meyer (3-3) threw six

scoreless innings to do his part in a two-hit shutout.

"We'd heard he was erratic with his command," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "But he threw the ball

very well.

"You don't see a lot of breaking balls like that. Those 5 o'clock shadows didn't help, but they were the

same for both teams."

Meyer tied a career-high with nine strikeouts, walking one. He gave up the two hits, both singles.

It was the 6-foot-9 Meyer's ninth start of the season, after beginning the year in the minors.

"The more you go out there, the more confident you get," Meyer said. "I definitely feel it's another step

in the right direction."

Maybin hit a leadoff homer in the first inning, Pujols had a two-run shot in the fifth and Valbuena added

a three-run homer in the seventh.

Rookie right-hander Jake Junis (2-1) got the first loss of his career, surrendering five runs and eight hits

in 5 1/3 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out six.

June 18, 2017 Page 16 of 20

"He just struggled with his command," Yost said. "He left a lot of pitches over the plate."

The Royals had at least 10 hits in each of their last four games, but Meyer and relievers Blake

Parker, Cam Bedrosian and Yusmeiro Petit combined for the Angels' fourth shutout of the season.

MOVING UP

Pujols' 602nd career homer gave him 1,865 career RBI, moving past Mel Ott into 10th place on

baseball's career list. It was Pujols' 11th home run of the season.

ANGELIC BULLPEN

With Bedrosian back and the anticipated return of Huston Street on Tuesday, the Angels' bullpen is

approaching good health. A myriad of relievers have performed in their place. The bullpen is fourth in

the majors in wins (14), seventh in strikeouts and eighth in ERA (3.62).

"These guys have really been holding up well," Scioscia said.

KANSAS CITY SHUTOUT

This was hardly the first time the Royals have been blanked this season. It was the seventh time they

have been shut out, tying the San Francisco Giants for the most in baseball.

MAYBIN LEADING OFF

The Angels outfielder has hit in eight consecutive games. Since being moved to the leadoff spot, he is

batting .388 (31 for 80) with three home runs.

"It's always good to get a quick lead like that," Maybin said. "It allows your pitcher to breathe a little

bit."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker(forearm tightness) was placed on the 10-day DL, though no starter has

been named for his next turn in the rotation Tuesday. ... RHP Parker Bridwell was recalled from Triple-A

Salt Lake to take his roster spot. ... Bedrosian (groin) was also activated from the DL and RHP Daniel

Wright returned to Salt Lake. Bedrosian last pitched April 21. ... OF Mike Trout (thumb surgery) is

expected to start holding a bat next week.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas (9-3) will take the majors' second-lowest ERA (2.10) into Sunday's series finale

against the Angels. He has held opponents to two or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 previous starts.

Angels: RHP JC Ramirez (6-4) is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season. Ramirez, a career reliever

until four games into this season, threw a career-high 111 pitches in his last outing.

June 18, 2017 Page 17 of 20

FROM ESPN.COM

Albert Pujols reflects on hitting 600 HR mark

Marly Rivera ESPN Writer

Two weeks ago, Albert Pujols became just the ninth player in MLB history to hit his 600th home run --

and he did it in style, on a grand slam against the Twins in Anaheim. Now, in his 17th year in MLB, Pujols

sat with Marly Rivera to reflect on hitting the milestone, representing his homeland, and what it's like to

play with Mike Trout.

What does it mean to you to be one of the most prolific foreign-born hitters in MLB history?

Well, first of all, I give thanks to the Lord for giving me the talent and the ability to play this game. It's

obviously a dream come true. As a little boy coming from the Dominican Republic, all you want is just

the opportunity to play baseball. I got the opportunity and I just took advantage. I worked hard every

day, never took anything for granted, never put my head down, never threw the towel when people told

me that I wasn't good enough, and just always have that chip in my shoulder. When people are negative

toward you, I believe that in God's eyes he has a better plan for you and I always try to stay positive and

work hard and do the best that I can. And that's how I've been for 18 years as a professional and since I

was a little boy.

Is that "chip on your shoulder" the secret sauce -- the recipe of your success?

Always. Always. And to never forget where you come from. It's just a lot of hard work and knowing that

it wasn't given to you. They give you an opportunity but you need to take advantage. I always say if

somebody is going to take my jersey, they're going to have to really outwork me; work harder than me.

More people have walked on the moon that have hit 600 home runs, is it a dream come true to

become one of greatest sluggers in history of the game?

Well, if I tell you a dream come true, it's a lie, because I never thought in my career that I was going to

be able to hit 600 home runs. I know that I have a special skill and talent. We all go back with giving God

all the glory and all the credit because I don't think if it wouldn't have been for Him, I would be sitting

here doing this interview with you.

I stayed healthy for a long time the years that I played in St. Louis. Here at the Angels I've had several

injuries, I've missed a lot of games, but at the same time I've finished the season very well. But whether I

imagined 600 home runs? No. Did I ever set it as a goal? Never.

You [thank] family and friends, coaches, staff. You have so many people that I can thank in my whole

career as a professional, even high school and college, as a young little boy in the Dominican Republic,

because you always have to have some people to help you out (along) the way. I had some great

coaches and great teammates that helped me along the way, from Plácido Polanco, Edgar

Rentería, Mark McGwire, one of the best managers that ever (managed) the game, Tony LaRussa. Now

being here, having another future Hall of Fame manager, (Mike Scioscia). You have to have some great

people around, and I am just blessed to be able to have to people around me.

June 18, 2017 Page 18 of 20

You are the ninth player to do it. Does that mean something to you?

I am just blessed to be able to do that. I am blessed to be named in the same list of those great players.

When I look up, and now we can say it's been almost two weeks since I reached [600] -- when you look

at 20 something thousand players played this game and to be able to be No. 9 to hit 600, it's pretty

special. I don't get caught up in those types of numbers. I think maybe when I am done playing we do

another interview and I can be more excited about it but as of right now, I think my main goal is to try to

help to help this ball club win a championship and that is what I am here for.

When you were little in the Dominican Republic, who did you look up to and want to be like?

To tell you the truth, Julio César Franco. As a little boy I always came to the stadium (Estadio Quisqueya

in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) and I would watch just the way he took BP and the way that he

approached the game. It seems like yesterday that he retired, and I don't think he [actually] retired; he's

playing independent ball somewhere. But just the (physical) shape, the hard work, he never took

anything for granted. It's just amazing. And I was honored to have the opportunity to play against him

while I was still back with the Cardinals; he was with the Mets and the Braves. And I told him, 'Man, I

just really need to get this out of my heart, I need to tell you this', and I shared the story, that I used to

go and be in the bleachers early, watching him take batting practice and play the game. He is one of the

best hitters that came out of the Dominican Republic.

Can you believe that with 10 more home runs you'll have the most of any Dominican player in MLB

history?

Not really. I can't believe it, but it's an honor; a blessing. I take a lot of pride in representing my

homeland, the Dominican Republic, and knowing that all my people send prayers, not only for Albert

Pujols but to all the Dominicans who are here in the major leagues; it's a blessing.

I might get to that milestone but maybe in 20 years, I hope there might be another Dominican player

that does it and passes me. That will tell you the product that is coming out of not just the Dominican,

but Latin America, period. I think we have so many young players right now from Puerto Rico,

Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic, you name it.

There wasn't much national fanfare or recognition for you after you got to the 600-HR mark. Do you

believe fans, particularly due to all the PED allegations that have been made against others, have lost

interest in such an exceptional achievement?

I don't think that way. You can't force people to celebrate something. I don't want all of the U.S. to

throw a party because I reached that (600-HR) milestone. But I know that my people in the Dominican

Republic enjoyed it as much as I did. And that's the most important thing, that my people enjoyed it.

They enjoyed it and were waiting for it. Everything basically stopped, and I share these achievements

with them. But the word of God says that you are not put on this Earth to please others but to honor

God, and that's my focus. I focus on honoring God first because it's very difficult to please people. It's

very difficult. The day you can't please someone they will say bad things about you. You can't control

that. What you can control is yourself. And if people want to celebrate, amen if they celebrated. If they

didn't, that doesn't matter to me.

June 18, 2017 Page 19 of 20

Throughout history there have been certain players that make everyone stop what they're doing

when they come to the plate. You've been one of those players, as well as Barry Bonds, Manny

Ramírez, and many others, or as Aaron Judge is now. Is there a player that you stop everything you're

doing to watch his at-bat?

Right now, as you know, I have the opportunity to play alongside the best player [in all of MLB], Mike

Trout. But besides my teammate, the one that I will always stop what I am doing if I am not playing

is Miguel Cabrera. For me, he's the best right-handed hitter in the major leagues right now. Perhaps he

can become the next to player to join the 500-HR and even 600-HR club if he stays healthy. But Miggy is

that player, that if I am not busy, I stop to watch his swing because it's a compact swing. His swing and

mine are pretty similar. And what can you say about wearing the same uniform and sharing the field

with the best player there is right now, Mike Trout? That has been a blessing.

What is the main difference between Albert Pujols when he started his career and now, after several

big contracts?

Maybe now I have things, after two contracts, but that can't change the person. Money doesn't change

people. I think the people around you change because they don't want to get close to you believing that

now that you have money you're going to change. And I don't believe that people change because of

money. That's a lie. Money is a piece of paper. You really can't forget where you came from. I have the

same friends from my youth; from my childhood. Every time I go to the Dominican Republic I hang out

as if I didn't have anything. Because actually in the end, when your time is over and God calls upon you,

you can't take anything with you. What you can take are the good memories of the things that you've

done since you were very little until your last days on Earth. And that's what I try to do every day. I try to

take advantage of this platform that God has given me to bless others. These 17 years in the big leagues,

I have taken advantage of every opportunity I have been given.

Future HOF Player....what about future HOF manager?

Well, we'll see where we are at.

Mike Trout to travel with Angels, take rehab swings

ESPN.com news services

Mike Trout is set to resume swinging and will travel with the Los Angeles Angels to New

York and Boston next week, manager Mike Scioscia said Saturday.

Scioscia said Trout's rehab will include holding a bat early next week to determine how his thumb

responds to increased activity.

Trout, the defending American League MVP, had surgery on his torn left thumb ligaments on May 31,

after suffering an injury making a head-first slide.

Trout's initial timetable for return was six to eight weeks, but he said this week that he's hoping to

return earlier -- and to play in the All-Star Game.

June 18, 2017 Page 20 of 20

"It would be pretty cool just to, hopefully, be back by then," Trout said. "Before the All-Star break, right

at the All-Star break, just depending on how it goes."

Trout was hitting. 337 with 16 home runs and 36 RBIs in just 47 games before the injury. Trout is

currently second in All-Star voting among AL outfielders, behind the New York Yankees' Aaron Judge.