June 3, 2017 Page 1 of 30

Clips

(June 3, 2017)

June 3, 2017 Page 2 of 30

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 4)

Angels routed by Twins while Albert Pujols pursues 600th home run

Angels' Albert Pujols is on the verge of hitting his 600th home run, and the ball could

catch six figures

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 7)

Albert Pujols homerless again on a rough night for the Angels

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 9)

Shoemaker seeks rebound as Albert eyes 600

Ramirez stung by homers; Pujols goes 0-for-4

Scioscia enjoying Albert's march to history

Ramirez upbeat after roughest start of career

Street has setback due to triceps tightness

FROM USA TODAY (Page 16)

Twins' Eduardo Escobar happily milked cow for first time before game in Angels'

annual contest

Albert Pujols' quest for 600 homers: By the numbers

Twins hit trio of 2-run homers to beat Angels 11-5

FROM ESPN.COM (Page 18)

Twins hit three two-run homers to beat Angels 11-5

Albert Pujols' quest for 600 homers: By the numbers

MVP and Cy Young watch: Which Nats pitcher is No. 1?

FROM NBC SPORTS (Page 26)

Angels to sign Michael Bourn to a minor league deal

FROM YAHOO! SPORTS (Page 26)

Twins hit trio of 2-run homers to beat Angels 11-5

June 3, 2017 Page 3 of 30

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels routed by Twins while Albert Pujols pursues 600th home run

By Pedro Moura

Until Albert Pujols hits his 600th career home run, the Angels’ games will consist of an odd cadence.

Everything is a buildup to the 37-year-old designated hitter’s next plate appearance. All else is

superfluous.

But such a structure will more often than not produce nothing of note. On Friday night at Angel Stadium,

the assembled fans rose for Pujols’ chances four times, sat down without a word four times, and left

unhappy as the Angels lost a laugher, 11-5, to the Minnesota Twins. Pujols pressed to give the crowd

what it sought and struck out in his first two chances.

“His first couple at-bats tonight, there is no doubt he was coming out of his swing,” Angels manager

Mike Scioscia said.

Meanwhile, JC Ramirez’s season-long struggles in the first inning returned after a one-game respite.

After Robbie Grossman’s one-out double, Ramirez threw a 3-and-1 fastball down the middle and Joe

Mauer lifted it 399 feet for a home run to left-center.

Ramirez encountered further trouble in the third inning, when Brian Dozier singled and Grossman

launched a two-run homer to right field. Mauer lined out, but Miguel Sano singled and Max Kepler

drilled another two-run homer, to right.

Ramirez remained in the game for two more innings. He exited in the fifth when a hit-by-pitch and two

singles produced the seventh run charged to him. He has made only 10 major league starts, but this was

by far his worst. Twice he’d allowed five runs, but never more, and he had never failed to finish five

innings. His earned-run average rose from 3.38 to 4.11, though it remains the best of any Angels starting

pitcher this season.

“They’re not all going to be seven innings, two runs,” Ramirez said.

Yusmeiro Petit replaced him and finished the fifth and sixth with alacrity. Deolis Guerra entered for the

seventh and permitted four runs on four singles, a double and a wild pitch. Rookie Keynan Middleton

picked up with two outs in the eighth and logged his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance.

Middleton is the only reliever in the Angels’ current bullpen who can be freely optioned to the minor

leagues, and the club may soon remove one reliever when Cam Bedrosian is activated. But Middleton is

rendering the prospect it will be him increasingly unlikely.

June 3, 2017 Page 4 of 30

The Angels (28-30) faced Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson, a sinker specialist who took with him to the

mound a ghastly 7.85 ERA. But it took the Angels until the sixth to string together their first rally. Eric

Young Jr. led it off with a double, Andrelton Simmons walked, and Kole Calhoun slapped a runs-scoring

single to center field.

That set runners at the corners for Pujols, but he grounded into a double play on the second pitch he

saw, scoring a second run. Yunel Escobar doubled to left, and Luis Valbuena’s walk elicited Gibson’s exit,

but Martin Maldonado flied out against reliever Alex Wimmers, and the Angels’ offense produced little

else until Danny Espinosa’s ninth-inning homer.

Pujols later grounded out in the eighth. He has come up empty in 15 chances to generate his 600th

home run.

It was, altogether, a night the Angels will want to forget. Perhaps the only thing they will seek to

remember occurred before the game, when their reliever Blake Parker beat Twins reserve

infielder Eduardo Escobar in an annual cow-milking contest behind home plate. Parker later pitched the

ninth inning, when Escobar pinch-hit and struck out against him.

Parker, who was raised in Arkansas but had never milked a cow, prepared by watching a YouTube video,

wherein the host said everyone must experience milking once in their lives.

“This is my time to shine right here,” he thought.

Angels' Albert Pujols is on the verge of hitting his 600th home run, and the ball could catch six

figures

By Mike DiGiovanna

The tension, the anticipation, the feeling of men girding for battle, is palpable in the left-field sections

of Angel Stadium every time Albert Pujols steps to the plate with a chance to hit the 600th home run of

his distinguished career.

While fans throughout the stadium rise and point their smartphones toward Pujols, grown men in left

field pound their fists into their baseball gloves, stake out their territory and size up the competition for

a milestone baseball with six-figure earning potential.

“It’s jungle law out there,” said Ben Villa, 43, who sat in Section 257 next to the left-field bullpen with his

wife and two young sons Wednesday and Thursday. “There were guys saying, ‘I’m gonna truck you for

that ball!’ Everybody’s like, ‘I’m not gonna let you get to it!’ And these guys were friends.”

The chance to witness history — with his next home run, Pujols will become only the ninth major league

player to hit 600 homers — is not all that is drawing fans to the outfield seats this week. Dan Imler,

managing director of Laguna Niguel-based SCP Auctions, which has sold numerous milestone home run

June 3, 2017 Page 5 of 30

balls in the last 15 years, predicted that Pujols’ 600th home run ball would fetch “$100,000 and up” if it

goes to auction.

An elegant, squirm-inducing dark comedy… veers into richly unsettling dramatic territory, anchored by

perhaps the finest performance of Hayek’s career

Imler’s company sold Barry Bonds’ 600th home run ball for $46,000 in 2002 and Ken Griffey Jr.’s

600th home run ball for $42,000 in 2008, “but the market is obviously elevated since those sales,” Imler

said, “and a six-figure price would not surprise us.”

That’s one reason Dave Whitman, a 48-year-old fan from Riverside, paid $70 for a seat in the first row

behind the short left-field wall Thursday night after sitting farther back in the same section Wednesday

night.

Whitman, who works for a produce company, wore a No. 5 Pujols jersey and called the slugger “my hero

— I’ve been following him since he came into the league, and he’s a great player.”

What would Whitman do if he caught home run No. 600?

“After I pass out?” he said. “Hopefully security will come and protect me, because I think everybody is

gonna want that ball.”

Whitman said he had “no idea” what the ball would be worth. What if he could sell it for $100,000?

“That would help me out immensely,” Whitman said. “My wife and I are planning to buy a house.”

As two men rose for a Pujols at-bat Wednesday night, one said: “Remember, that ball is four years

tuition at UCLA.” The other said, “I think I’d buy a Tesla.”

Pat O’Keefe, a 52-year-old real-estate broker from Anaheim Hills, isn’t sure how he’d spend the

proceeds from the ball, but he knows what he’d do if he caught it.

“I would sell it to the highest bidder, of course,” he said.

Said Wyatt Jones, a 27-year-old Tustin resident who was sitting eight rows up from the left-field wall

Thursday night: “I’d probably keep it for a while and see what supply and demand was like.”

Not everyone was money hungry. Alex Soliz, a 32-year-old Temecula resident who recently got out of

the Navy, said he would return the ball to Pujols in exchange for signed memorabilia from Pujols and

center fielder Mike Trout.

“I would do that for him,” Soliz said. “I’m a fan first, money second.”

June 3, 2017 Page 6 of 30

Villa, a former Long Beach Press-Telegram sportswriter who works in security for the Anaheim Marriott,

said he would “probably just give it back” to Pujols.

Told the ball could be worth $100,000, Villa said, “Wow, really? That might change my mind.”

The ears of Villa’s wife, Cindy, perked up when she heard that figure.

“I would have to have a serious conversation with my husband,” she said. “But you know, I think there’s

more to life than money. My husband loves baseball, my kids are growing up loving baseball, and his

bucket list is to visit every stadium.

“We’ve gone to 17 of 30 stadiums, so honestly, if Albert can hook us up with tickets and a nice

experience in every stadium, that would be great.”

Pujols’ 500th home run ball in 2014 was caught by Air Force serviceman Tom Sherrill, a Pomona native

and Angels fan who was in Nationals Park that night. Sherrill gave the ball to Pujols in exchange for

autographed memorabilia.

That wasn’t the case with the ball Bonds hit for his single-season record-setting 73rdhomer of 2001.

When Alex Popov, who owns a health-food restaurant in the Bay Area, caught the ball in right field in

Pacific Bell Park, a group of aggressive fans pounced on him. The ball popped loose, and Patrick Hayashi,

then a graduate student at San Diego State, came up with it.

After an 18-month court battle, a California Superior Court judge ruled the two had joint ownership and

that proceeds from the ball, which sold for $450,000, would be divided equally.

SCP Auctions also sold Bonds’ 756th home run ball, the one he hit to break Hank Aaron’s all-time home

run record in 2007, for $752,000, his Aaron-tying 755th home run ball for $186,000 and Alex Rodriguez’s

500th home run ball for $103,000.

Pujols, 37, entered Friday 125 hits shy of 3,000 and could surpass 700 homers, which would likely

elevate the value of his 600th home run ball.

“That combination of 3,000 hits and 600 homers is extremely elite … and Pujols is far from done,” Imler

said. “He’s still carving out his place among the all-time greats.”

June 3, 2017 Page 7 of 30

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Albert Pujols homerless again on a rough night for the Angels

By Jeff Fletcher

ANAHEIM — It didn’t take long for the night to go sour for the Angels and the fans who came to Angel

Stadium looking for history, or at least a victory.

They saw neither.

J.C. Ramirez gave up a two-run homer in the first inning, one of three he allowed in a game the Angels lost,

11-5, to the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

And Albert Pujols went hitless in four at-bats, striking out twice and grounding out twice, once for a double

play. He came up empty for a third straight game in his bid for his 600th homer. A three-game homer

drought would not normally even warrant a mention, except each of his at-bats now is drawing extra

attention as he tries for the milestone.

Since he hit his 599th homer on Tuesday night, Pujols is 2 for 14 with five strikeouts. In his first two trips on

Friday, he struck out, and Manager Mike Scioscia said he may have come out of his game. The subsequent

two groundouts were both hit hard, though.

“I think his first couple at-bats tonight there’s no doubt he was coming out of his swing a little bit,” Scioscia

said. “He was swinging hard, but his last couple he hit two bullets. He just didn’t get them up. He’ll settle in

and be fine.”

Pujols was facing a pitcher who was scuffling through a rough season. Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson

came into the game with a 7.85 ERA.

Still, neither Pujols nor any of the other Angels could do much with him. The lineup is decidedly weakened

with the loss of Mike Trout and Cameron Maybin, who had been two of the hottest players last week.

The Angels didn’t score until the sixth, and their three runs in the ninth — two on a Danny Espinosa homer

— came long after the game was decided, and most fans had headed for the exits.

Adding to the Angels’ misery on Friday, they got the first clunker in weeks from Ramirez, who had

established himself as the team’s best starter lately.

Ramirez gave up a two-run homer to Joe Mauer in the first inning. That part was not such a surprise. As a

newcomer to the life of a big league starter, Ramirez had been still learning the pre-game routine, and

he’d found himself consistently struggling in the first inning. He had allowed 11 of his 21 runs in the first

inning of his starts.

June 3, 2017 Page 8 of 30

This time, though, he wasn’t able to rebound from the rough first as effectively. In the third, he gave up a

two-run homer to Robbie Grossman and then another one to Max Kepler. The Twins nicked him for one

more before his night ended in the fifth.

“Tonight was the best I felt,” Ramirez said. “My sinker was down and my slider was sharp. They got me

today. It’s not going to be seven innings and two runs or less every outing. I felt good. Just tip your hat.

They were able to hit my stuff today.”

Ramirez said the homer that Grossman hit was on an 80 mph curve ball just after a 97 mph fastball, and

that Mauer’s homer was on a sinker away.

“Nothing I can do about it,” he said. “They’re good hitters.”

Overall, Ramirez didn’t seem to be shaken by the rough game. He pointed out that the last time he gave up

five runs, he responded with three straight good games.

“I know a day like this would come,” he said. “It’s not going to be good, good, good. I have to keep my

head up and work extra for my next start.”

FROM ANGELS.COM

Shoemaker seeks rebound as Albert eyes 600

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

Right-hander Ervin Santana leads the Twins into a matchup against the Angels, his former club, on

Saturday night at Angel Stadium. Los Angeles will counter with right-hander Matt Shoemaker. Albert

Pujols will continue his quest for his 600th career home run.

Santana pitched for the Halos for eight seasons, from 2005-12. He has a 1.75 ERA in 11 starts -- the

lowest mark in the Major Leagues. The 34-year-old also leads the league in WHIP (0.84) and opponent's

average (.140), and his seven wins already match his win totals from each of the past two seasons.

Santana is 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA (10 earned runs allowed through 20 2/3 innings) in three career starts vs.

Los Angeles.

Santana's latest start was a no-decision against the Astros. He tossed seven innings, limiting Houston to

two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks along with six strikeouts, only to see Minnesota's

bullpen relinquish 14 runs over the final two innings of a 16-8 loss.

June 3, 2017 Page 9 of 30

Shoemaker enters Saturday looking to bounce back from his rough start at Miami on Sunday. He lasted 4

2/3 innings -- his second-shortest outing of the year -- and allowed four earned runs on seven hits,

including two home runs, while permitting no walks and striking out three in a 9-2 loss.

Things to know about this game

• Despite Santana's hot start in April (4-0, 0.77 ERA), he wasn't as successful in the win column through

May (3-2, 2.57). In his five April starts, the Twins went 4-1; in his six May starts, the club went 3-3.

• Shoemaker's loss at Miami snapped a streak of three consecutive starts as a winning pitcher. He's the

only Angels pitcher to win three straight starts this season.

• Shoemaker is 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA (seven earned runs allowed through 13 2/3 innings) in four career

starts against Minnesota.

Ramirez stung by homers; Pujols goes 0-for-4

By Rhett Bollinger and Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- The Twins flashed their power against the Angels on Friday night, launching three home

runs off JC Ramirez to cruise to an 11-5 win at Angel Stadium.

Joe Mauer, Robbie Grossman and Max Kepler crushed two-run shots to build a six-run lead for the

Twins by the third inning and secure their second straight victory over the Halos.

"I was just trying to get a fastball up because he's got pretty good sink," said Mauer, who went 4-for-5

with three RBIs. "Got a couple good pitches to hit and didn't miss them."

Ramirez lasted only 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits in the worst outing of his

burgeoning career as a starter. The 28-year-old converted reliever had a 1.74 ERA in his previous three

starts, but he struggled from the outset against the Twins, surrendering a two-run homer to Mauer in

the first inning. He gave up two more homers in the third before Miguel Sano chased him from the

game with an RBI single in the fifth.

"I feel really good, I just tip the hat," Ramirez said. "They were able to hit my stuff today."

Minnesota produced more than enough run support for right-hander Kyle Gibson, who allowed two

runs on six hits while walking two and striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. Gibson kept the Angels

scoreless through five innings before conceding two runs in the sixth.

The Twins broke open the game by scoring four runs off Angels reliever Deolis Guerra in the eighth.

Mauer collected four hits and three RBIs in a vintage showing for Minnesota.

June 3, 2017 Page 10 of 30

Albert Pujols, who has been sitting on 599 career home runs since Tuesday, came up short in

his quest for No. 600, finishing 0-for-4.

"I think his first couple at-bats tonight, there's no doubt, he was coming out of his swing a little

bit," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He was swinging hard. But his last couple, he settled

in. He hit two bullets, just didn't get them up. He'll settle in and be fine."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Grossman, Kepler go deep in the third: After Mauer's homer put the Twins ahead, 2-0, in the

first, Ramirez appeared to get back on track with a 1-2-3 second. But he stumbled again in the

third inning, yielding a one-out single to Brian Dozier followed by a two-run blast to right-center

field from Grossman. Ramirez couldn't avoid further damage, as Sano later singled with two

outs to set up Kepler's two-run homer, extending Minnesota's lead to 6-0.

Angels get on the board: The Angels cut the deficit to 7-2 by scoring a pair of runs off Gibson in

the sixth. Eric Young Jr. led off the inning with a double and Andrelton Simmons walked to bring

up Kole Calhoun, who delivered an RBI single to center. Gibson then induced a 5-4-3 double

play from Pujols, which allowed Simmons to score from third. Yunel Escobar and Luis

Valbuena kept the inning alive with a double and a walk, respectively, prompting Twins

manager Paul Monitor to lift Gibson in favor of Alex Wimmers. Martin Maldonado then lined

out to end the inning. Calhoun's RBI single to center Kole Calhoun knocks a single past a diving Brian Dozier and into center field, driving in Eric Young Jr. with the Angels' first run

"Gibson threw the ball well," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "I thought he threw better, but

he kind of lost it there in the sixth with the bloop double, a base-on-balls and a couple well-hit

balls. But overall, he did a good job."

ROSARIO MAKES DEBUT

Twins left-hander Randy Rosario, recalled from Double-A Chattanooga on Thursday, made his

Major League debut, throwing a scoreless eighth inning before allowing three runs in the ninth

on an RBI double from Martin Maldonado and a two-run homer from Danny Espinosa. His first

career strikeout came against former Twins outfielder Shane Robinson, and he retired Pujols on

a hard grounder to third to end the eighth.

Rosario's first career strikeout

June 3, 2017 Page 11 of 30

Randy Rosario gets Shane Robinson to strike out on a breaking ball, recording his first career strikeout in his Major League debut

WHAT'S NEXT

Twins: Right-hander Ervin Santana (7-2, 1.75 ERA) is set to face his former team when the Twins

play the Angels in the third game of the series on Saturday at 9:07 p.m. CT. Santana, who

pitched with the Angels from 2005-12, allowed one earned run over seven innings in a no-

decision against the Astros on Monday.

Angels: Right-hander Matt Shoemaker (4-3, 4.26 ERA) will face the Twins in the third game of

the series on Saturday night at 7:07 p.m. PT at Angel Stadium. Shoemaker is 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA

in four career starts against Minnesota.

Scioscia enjoying Albert's march to history

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols took another a swing at history in the Angels' 11-5 loss to the Twins

on Friday night. The Angels slugger is seeking to become just the ninth player in Major League

history to earn entry into the 600-homer club.

Manager Mike Scioscia, who has over 31 combined years in the Majors as a player and

manager, described what it's like to witness Pujols' historic run.

For one, he explained, the slugger's approach hasn't changed at all.

"Albert is such a professional to me," Scioscia said. "He's always locked in every at-bat. I don't

think it's fair to say all of the sudden now he's putting more focus in these at-bats -- I think it's

the opposite. I think Albert's been so good and has played for so long, and he's hit these

milestones, that you know he has the ability to kind of bring himself to the level he needs to be,

and he's not too amped up." 600-HOMER CLUB

Player HRs

1. Barry Bonds 762

2. Hank Aaron 755

3. Babe Ruth 714

June 3, 2017 Page 12 of 30

Player HRs

4. Alex Rodriguez 696

5. Willie Mays 660

6. Ken Griffey Jr. 630

7. Jim Thome 612

8. Sammy Sosa 609

Eight players in MLB history have reached 600 HRs.

Since striking career homer Nos. 598 and 599 in back-to-back games, Pujols has had 14 at-bats

without connecting with the 600th. Even from the field, where "it's not as prevailing a thought,"

said Scioscia, "when he steps in that batter's box, I don't think there's anybody that's not

thinking of that."

Pujols has already recorded a handful of career milestones during his six-year career with the

Angels. In 2014, he hit his 499th and 500th long balls in the same contest against Washington.

Earlier this season, he moved in to 11th all-time in career RBIs, and now sits at 1,855.

Scioscia said it's apparent that Pujols and teammates are excited for him to reach the home run

milestone (an injured Mike Trout has even made an appearance to watch his teammate bat),

but the goal of winning the game keeps Pujols grounded amid the fanfare. Trout looks on from dugout "Albert's more than just a 600th home run," said Scioscia. "This guy is probably the toughest ballplayer I've ever seen. To be to go out there and play it 50 percent [healthy] and still be extremely productive, what he means to the team, and the dugout, and the clubhouse, you can see why he's been a winner his whole career."

Said Scioscia of the moment the slugger belts No. 600: "What it's going to mean to Albert, his

family, those guys in that clubhouse, it's going to be special."

Ramirez upbeat after roughest start of career

By Kaelen Jones / MLB.com

June 3, 2017 Page 13 of 30

ANAHEIM -- Friday night served as a lesson for Angels starting pitcher JC Ramirez, who was on the

losing end of the Angels' 11-5 defeat to Minnesota at Angel Stadium.

The subject of Friday's lesson: Not every outing -- even games you feel good about -- will go your way.

Ramirez was pulled following a season-low 4 1/3 innings after he conceded seven runs on eight hits with

no walks and three strikeouts.

The defeat ended what had been a nice stretch for the 28-year-old, who was in positive spirits

afterward.

"I think tonight, that's the best I've felt," Ramirez said. "Sinker was down, slider was sharp. They got me

today. It's not going to be every outing, seven innings, two runs or less. I feel really good. Just … it

happened. They hit it. They were able to hit my stuff today."

The visitors pounced on Ramirez early, something the native Nicaraguan has struggled with as a starter.

Ramirez's first-inning ERA entering Friday was 10.00; aside from his eighth-inning ERA split (7.71), no

other inning surpassed 3.68. The Twins sustained their early effort, tagging Ramirez for three two-run

homers in the game's first three innings.

"JC didn't look like he had his edge early," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "He was missing some

counts, missing getting his breaking stuff into the game early."

Ramirez credited the Twins for hitting pitches, even though he was locating them where he wanted.

"They're good hitters," Ramirez said of the Twins, who collected 15 hits on the night. "They were able to

hit my stuff tonight. … Nothing I could do about it."

Through seven starts prior to Friday, Ramirez had posted a 3-1 record. His 2.35 ERA over that same

period ranked second in the American League behind Houston's Lance McCullers Jr., who was

voted AL Pitcher of the Month in May. In fact, Ramirez had picked up wins in each of his previous two

starts, and over his last three outings he had posted a 2-0 record along with a 1.74 ERA (four runs

allowed through 20 2/3 innings).

"Not every time is going to work for me," he said.

Ramirez has been a pleasant surprise for Los Angeles this season. He had made 111 career appearances

in the Major Leagues as a reliever prior to making his first career start on April 14. He said it was tough

not being able to go deep into Friday's contest, but understands all he can do it simply put it behind him

and move forward.

"Just forget about it, go to bed, close my eyes, don't think about it too much, [and wake up] the next

day," he said.

Street has setback due to triceps tightness

June 3, 2017 Page 14 of 30

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- The Angels had hoped to activate Huston Street from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, but

the veteran right-hander's return will be delayed for at least a week due to right triceps tightness.

Street had been scheduled to make his final rehab appearance with Class A Advanced Inland Empire on

Friday, but he said his triceps stiffened up after he pitched in back-to-back games for Triple-A Salt Lake

last weekend and did not loosen as the week progressed. On Thursday, the Angels announced that they

had pulled Street from his rehab assignment and described his return to throwing as day-to-day.

"I would call it a very little setback," Street said Friday. "More like a small bump. Not like an injury.

Obviously, I was lobbying to just take one day off, but we're just trying to be responsible."

Street said he plans to play catch Saturday and is aiming to resume his rehab assignment Thursday,

which is the earliest day he could do so under the terms of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Street sustained a lat strain during Spring Training and has not pitched this season, though he said his lat

now feels fine.

With Street and fellow reliever Cam Bedrosian nearing a return from the disabled list, the Angels will

soon have to decide whether to keep Bud Norris as their closer. Injuries forced Norris, a longtime

starter, into the ninth-inning role, but he has had success pitching at the back end of the Halos' bullpen,

converting 10 of 11 save opportunities and recording a 2.77 ERA.

Street, who has 324 career saves, acknowledged that he wants to close games for the Angels, though he

said he doesn't expect to have the job handed to him when he returns.

"I think anyone who is a reliever in professional baseball wants to close," Street said. "When I'm right, I

get that job done pretty well. But Bud Norris has done a phenomenal job. It's the big leagues. You have

to earn it."

Worth noting

• With center fielders Mike Trout and Cameron Maybin on the disabled list, the Angels restored some

of their outfield depth by signing Michael Bourn to a Minor League contract.

"He's going to play down in Triple-A, and he's going to be evaluated," manager Mike Scioscia said.

Bourn, 34, opened the season with the Orioles organization but exercised his opt-out clause last month

and was released. He was batting .220 over 11 games with Triple-A Norfolk this season but has a .266

career batting average over 11 seasons in the Majors.

June 3, 2017 Page 15 of 30

• First baseman C.J. Cron, who was demoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on May 22, has been heating up. He

slugged two home runs, including a grand slam, and recorded a career-high seven RBIs on Thursday.

Cron is 14-for-42 (.333) in 12 games at Salt Lake. He was batting .232 with a .586 OPS in 24 games with

the Angels before being sent down.

"Hopefully his confidence is getting there," Scioscia said. "He's been getting some steady at-bats, and

he's been swinging the bat well."

USA TODAY

Twins' Eduardo Escobar happily milked cow for first time before game in Angels' annual

contest

Every year there is a cow milking competition at Angel Stadium — yes, really — and this year, the Twins’

Eduardo Escobar participated. This has apparently been going on for 43 years.

Look at that smile on Escobar’s face. He’s ready for this. Per MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger, this was the first

cow Escobar has ever milked.

Eduardo Escobar is about to milk a cow! 43rd annual cow milking contest here at Angel Stadium.

Eduardo Escobar will take part in the annual cow milking contest at Angel Stadium before the game. He

said he's never milked a cow before...

I’ve never milked a cow before either, but it looks like Escobar did a wonderful job. If you experienced

cow milkers think otherwise, then, well, at least he was smiling and having fun.

He was so happy!

However, according to the Associated Press‘ Greg Beacham, Escobar’s cow wasn’t cooperating the

entire time. Beacham also reported that unfortunately the cows declined to speak to the media.

Eduardo Escobar's cow did not enjoy being milked and nearly caused an all-time top 10 hilarious

baseball injury, but everyone is OK.

The milking contest is over and Blake Parker won. The brown cow refused to do interviews and stormed

away without a handshake.

While Escobar was happy milking the cow, he didn’t win the contest. The Angels’ Blake Parker beat him.

Maybe Escobar can win next time, since he now has experience.

Albert Pujols' quest for 600 homers: By the numbers

Angels slugger Albert Pujols is on the cusp of joining an exclusive group.

June 3, 2017 Page 16 of 30

With his next home run, he will become the ninth major league player to hit at least 600 home runs over

the course of his career. And at 37-years-old, Pujols would be the fourth youngest -- behind Alex

Rodriguez, Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron -- to reach the milestone.

Pujols, one of baseball's all-time greatest right-handed hitters, has been a model of consistency with his

power. He averaged 41 home runs per season from 2001-10 and has slugged 30 or more home runs in a

season 14 times during his 17-year career.

By the numbers (as of June 1)

4 -- Three-home run games.

7 -- Number of seasons with 40-plus home runs.

8 -- Home runs hit off Ryan Dempster, the most of any pitcher.

12 -- Walk-off home runs.

14 -- Number of season with 30-plus home runs.

41 -- Average home runs hit between 2001-10.

48 -- Game-tying home runs.

51 -- Two-home run games.

56 -- Home runs against the Cubs, most of any club.

154 -- Home runs with the Angels.

235 -- Go-ahead home runs.

445 -- Home runs with the Cardinals.

Twins hit trio of 2-run homers to beat Angels 11-5

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The power numbers have not always been there for the Minnesota Twins this

season, but they hit three home runs Friday night.

Joe Mauer, Robbie Grossman and Max Kepler each hit a two-run shot to lead the Twins to an 11-5 win

over the Los Angeles Angels.

For Mauer, his fourth home run was one of his four hits on the night. He has hit in 11 of his last 12

games against the Angels (.423).

"He just seems like he's on everything right now," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

June 3, 2017 Page 17 of 30

For the third consecutive game, the Angels' Albert Pujols remained at 599 career home runs while going

0 for 4 with two early strikeouts. He has now gone 15 at-bats without a home run.

"The last couple, he hit two bullets but just didn't get them up," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He

hit the ball hard. He'll settle in and be fine."

Kyle Gibson, in his third start since a brief minor-league demotion, turned in his best game of the season

for Minnesota. Gibson (2-4) took a shutout into the sixth inning before tiring and giving up two runs. He

allowed six hits in a season-high 5 2/3 innings while throwing 98 pitches - also a season-high.

"I'm just trying to be in the zone a little more, and when I miss, miss over the plate but down or up," the

right-hander said. "It's something I really tried to focus on today, more balls that started in the strike

zone."

JC Ramirez (5-4) suffered his worst start of the season for the Angels, giving up the seven runs and eight

hits in 4 1/3 innings. In his previous seven starts, the converted reliever had a 2.35 ERA and the Angels

had won six times.

Ramirez said he actually felt better than he had all season.

"I knew a day like this was coming," Ramirez said. "It's not every time going to be good, good, good. I

just have to keep my head up and I think work extra for my next start."

Mauer started the two-run homer parade for the Twins in the first inning with his fourth home run of

the season. Grossman and Kepler both hit their two-run shots in the third to give Gibson an early 6-0

lead.

"That's huge for a starting pitcher," Gibson said. "Then the offense did a good job of adding on in the

third inning."

The Twins added to their lead with a four-run eighth, two coming on a double from Byron Buxton. They

finished with 15 hits.

Danny Espinosa hit a two-run homer for the Angels in the ninth.

The Twins came to Anaheim on a four-game losing streak, but have won the first two games of the four-

game series against the Angels.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: C Chris Gimenez was scratched from the pregame cow-milking contest because he was starting in

the game. INF Edwardo Escobar filled in, but lost to Angels reliever Blake Parker. Escobar later struck out

against Parker in the ninth. ... LHP Jason Wheeler was traded to the Dodgers for cash.

June 3, 2017 Page 18 of 30

Angels: Reliever Huston Street said he doesn't expect to pitch again for a week after his right triceps

stiffened up on him when pitching on back-to-back days on a rehab assignment. He has been out all

season with a strained lat.

ANGELS SIGN BOURN

With outfielders Mike Trout and Cameron Maybin on the disabled list, the Angels signed veteran

Michael Bourn, 34, to a minor-league contract. He started for their triple-A Salt Lake team Friday, going

0 for 2 with a run. He had been released from the Orioles' Triple-A team last month.

MAUER HOT

Minnesota's first baseman started the year slowly, .225 in the first 21 games, but hit .346 in 22 May

games even before Friday's outburst. Said Gibson: "He's been on a tear the last month and a half. It's

been fun to watch."

UP NEXT

Twins: RHP Ervin Santana (7-2) looks to continue his strong start Saturday against the Angels. In nine of

his previous 11 starts, he has allowed one or no earned runs. His 1.75 ERA is the best in baseball.

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker will try to bounce back from one of his worst starts in weeks. He allowed

four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings Sunday in Miami. He is 3-1 with a 5.20 ERA in five home starts.

FROM ESPN.COM

Twins hit three two-run homers to beat Angels 11-5

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The power numbers have not always been there for the Minnesota Twins this season,

but they hit three home runs Friday night.

Joe Mauer, Robbie Grossman and Max Kepler each hit a two-run shot to lead the Twins to an 11-5 win

over the Los Angeles Angels.

For Mauer, his fourth home run was one of his four hits on the night. He has hit in 11 of his last 12

games against the Angels (.423).

"He just seems like he's on everything right now," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

For the third consecutive game, the Angels' Albert Pujols remained at 599 career home runs while going

0 for 4 with two early strikeouts. He has now gone 15 at-bats without a home run.

"The last couple, he hit two bullets but just didn't get them up," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He

hit the ball hard. He'll settle in and be fine."

June 3, 2017 Page 19 of 30

Kyle Gibson, in his third start since a brief minor-league demotion, turned in his best game of the

season for Minnesota. Gibson (2-4) took a shutout into the sixth inning before tiring and giving up two

runs. He allowed six hits in a season-high 5 2/3 innings while throwing 98 pitches -- also a season-high.

"I'm just trying to be in the zone a little more, and when I miss, miss over the plate but down or up," the

right-hander said. "It's something I really tried to focus on today, more balls that started in the strike

zone."

JC Ramirez (5-4) suffered his worst start of the season for the Angels, giving up the seven runs and eight

hits in 4 1/3 innings. In his previous seven starts, the converted reliever had a 2.35 ERA and the Angels

had won six times.

Ramirez said he actually felt better than he had all season.

"I knew a day like this was coming," Ramirez said. "It's not every time going to be good, good, good. I

just have to keep my head up and I think work extra for my next start."

Mauer started the two-run homer parade for the Twins in the first inning with his fourth home run of

the season. Grossman and Kepler both hit their two-run shots in the third to give Gibson an early 6-0

lead.

"That's huge for a starting pitcher," Gibson said. "Then the offense did a good job of adding on in the

third inning."

The Twins added to their lead with a four-run eighth, two coming on a double from Byron Buxton. They

finished with 15 hits.

Danny Espinosa hit a two-run homer for the Angels in the ninth.

The Twins came to Anaheim on a four-game losing streak, but have won the first two games of the four-

game series against the Angels.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: C Chris Gimenez was scratched from the pregame cow-milking contest because he was starting

in the game. INF Edwardo Escobar filled in, but lost to Angels reliever Blake Parker. Escobar later struck

out against Parker in the ninth. ... LHP Jason Wheeler was traded to the Dodgers for cash.

Angels: Reliever Huston Street said he doesn't expect to pitch again for a week after his right triceps

stiffened up on him when pitching on back-to-back days on a rehab assignment. He has been out all

season with a strained lat.

ANGELS SIGN BOURN

With outfielders Mike Trout and Cameron Maybin on the disabled list, the Angels signed

veteran Michael Bourn, 34, to a minor-league contract. He started for their triple-A Salt Lake team

Friday, going 0 for 2 with a run. He had been released from the Orioles' Triple-A team last month.

June 3, 2017 Page 20 of 30

MAUER HOT

Minnesota's first baseman started the year slowly, .225 in the first 21 games, but hit .346 in 22 May

games even before Friday's outburst. Said Gibson: "He's been on a tear the last month and a half. It's

been fun to watch."

UP NEXT

Twins: RHP Ervin Santana (7-2) looks to continue his strong start Saturday against the Angels. In nine of

his previous 11 starts, he has allowed one or no earned runs. His 1.75 ERA is the best in baseball.

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker will try to bounce back from one of his worst starts in weeks. He allowed

four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings Sunday in Miami. He is 3-1 with a 5.20 ERA in five home starts.

MVP and Cy Young watch: Which Nats pitcher is No. 1?

By Mark Simon / ESPN Staff Writer

It’s June and what I’d call "the Emilio Bonifacio fluke factor" from the first few weeks has started to wear

off. The personality of the season is starting to take greater shape as you can see who’s legit and who

has been an aberration. We’re tracking MVP and Cy Young candidates monthly in this space, and

through two months, we’re feeling pretty good that most of the names on this list still will be there at

the end of the season.

But there's plenty of time for things to change. All stats are through May 31. Let’s dive in. ...

June 3, 2017 Page 21 of 30

NL MVP

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks

NL MVP

Top contenders

OPS WAR

Paul Goldschmidt .993 2.6

Bryce Harper 1.093 2.4

Ryan Zimmerman 1.118 2.2

Zack Cozart 1.030 3.0

Goldschmidt looks like he brought elite power hitting back to his game, the kind he showed from 2013

to 2015. He’s the most multidimensional first baseman in the game in that he hits, hits for power, hits to

all fields and (as those outside Arizona may forget) can run.

There was a player with a 30-30 season in every full season from 1987 to 2012 except for 2010. But

there hasn’t been one since. Goldschmidt can change that.

With 12 home runs and 12 steals through the end of May, Goldschmidt should have a legit chance to

become the second first baseman (or third if you count 1987 Joe Carter) to have a 30-30 season,

joining Jeff Bagwell.

And Goldschmidt is on pace to cut his strikeout total significantly from the past two seasons. The more

balls he hits, the more damage he'll do.

Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

We’re warning you now that splitting the vote among teammates could be an issue in this MVP race,

should Harper and Ryan Zimmerman each maintain their superstar seasons.

Harper and Zimmerman are basically even in Baseball-Reference’s batting runs stat (Zimmerman has a

21-20 edge), and the pendulum has swung back-and-forth between them.

We’re giving Harper an edge because his impact has been more meaningful, at least through two

months. He leads National League hitters in win probability added. Harper built up enough cachet with

his first 35 games of the season that he’s able to withstand a 12-game (brawl included) 7-for-45 (.156

batting average) slump.

June 3, 2017 Page 22 of 30

One odd quirk to Harper’s season that’s too small of a sample to mean something now, but bears

watching: He’s hitting .418 with a 1.297 OPS in 27 night games, but .211 with an .826 OPS in 20 day

games.

Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals

As much as I wanted to put Nolan Arenado or Justin Turner (currently on the DL) here, Zimmerman’s

season is just too good to ignore. He appeared to be on the verge of a big slump, but he shook off a 3-

for-22 six-game skid without issue. He’s hitting .400 in his past eight games and still is doing what got

him to this point -- covering the outer part of the plate -- very well.

Dark horse: Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds

That we’re acknowledging Cozart as a legitimate MVP candidate is one of the most remarkable stories

from the season’s first two months. Cozart’s .353/.447/.606 April likely was viewed as a fluke by just

about every baseball fan. But he nearly replicated it with a .344/.420/.594 slashline in May.

What has changed for Cozart is his range at the plate is now as wide as his range in the field (and he

leads NL position players with 3.0 WAR). He has never hit better than .248 against outside pitches

(defined as outer half of the plate or off the outside corner) in a full season. This season, he has shown

patience against those pitches (swinging at just over one third of them) and mashing them, to the tune

of a .370 batting average. That and his glove make him the NL WAR leader at the end of May.

AL MVP

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

AL MVP

Top contenders

OPS WAR

Mike Trout 1.203 3.4

Aaron Judge 1.118 3.1

Carlos Correa .914 2.3

Corey Dickerson .992 2.8

June 3, 2017 Page 23 of 30

We’re basing this choice on what is, not what will be. Trout will drop, though not necessarily drop out,

over the next few weeks because of injury. By the way, Trout did come down to earth a little bit in May,

hitting only .297, but that was offset by the damage he did -- nine home runs and five doubles in 64 at-

bats. But apparently Trout is so good, he can transfer his powers to his teammates. Eric Young Jr.’s stint

as Trout’s replacement began with a 5-for-11 burst and his first home run since 2014.

Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

With Trout out, Judge’s profile becomes that of MVP front-runner, given the quality of his play and the

attention he’ll get because of the market in which he plays. We concern ourselves with the former, with

Judge leading the American League in home runs (17) and runs scored (40) through May, while slashing

.327/.428/.690 and contributing six defensive runs saved in right field. He had only one instance of back-

to-back games without a hit.

What we’re most curious about with Judge is whether he’ll revert to old habits and start struggling with

outside pitches again. Last season he saw 180 outer-third/off-the-corner pitches, made 30 outs and had

one hit. This season, he has made 47 outs on those pitches, but has 17 hits, including four home runs.

Carlos Correa, Houston Astros

Correa flipped the switch at the end of April and has been everything people thought he would be over a

33-game stretch concluding at the end of May. In that span, Correa slashed .366/.432/.641. His batting

average in that span is the highest in the majors.

What gives Correa the advantage over Jose Altuve is that Correa’s hits have been more valuable. He had

the highest win probability added of any position player in May.

Dark horse: Corey Dickerson, Tampa Bay Rays

Dickerson ended May leading the AL in hits, runs and total bases. If he performs at anything close to

what he’s doing now, he’ll shed the rep of being good only in Colorado. He has been good just about

everywhere and against everyone. The better the opponent, the better he is. He's slugging .683 against

teams with a .500 record and above, .511 against sub-.500 teams.

ESPN Stats & Information

A colleague and I have joked for years that a gridded heat map with nine red squares is hard enough to

find that it should be called a holy grail. Dickerson almost has one.

NL Cy Young

Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

NL Cy Young

June 3, 2017 Page 24 of 30

Top Contenders

ERA K-BB

Max Scherzer 2.56 100-18

Stephen Strasburg 2.94 74-18

Clayton Kershaw 2.37 78-10

Robbie Ray 3.00 2.1

Meet the new Scherzer, one with efficiency (a 100-pitch complete game) and fewer baserunners. If you

want to win the NL Cy Young this year, you’re going to have to pry it out of his hands. And yes, Scherzer

has taken advantage of a soft schedule (past two starts versus the Padres and Giants), but remember

that he opened the month with seven innings of two-hit ball with 11 strikeouts against the

Diamondbacks.

Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

What separates Strasburg from the rest of the pack is not just the frequency of the strikeouts and the

rarity of walks, it’s how he has limited home runs, allowing four in 67⅓ innings. As such, he leads the NL

in fielding independent pitching. And the good news is that the lower FIP is not a product of “batted ball

luck” but of getting more ground balls and fewer fly balls than he has in years past.

Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

A bizarre blip in his most recent start (four runs and 11 hits in 4⅓ innings against the Cubs) took Kershaw

down a notch, but he’s still deservedly high in the discussion given the four starts that preceded it (1.19

ERA).

What’s amusing about Kershaw is that his strikeout-to-walk ratio is only 7.8-1. That’s half of what it was

last season. What’s a little nerve-inducing is he has allowed 10 home runs in 11 starts after allowing

eight in 21 starts last season.

Dark horse: Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks

There were questions this offseason as to the quality of Ray’s work in 2016 (4.90 ERA, 3.76 FIP). Ray’s

indicators are tipping in a positive direction. He enters June with a 24⅔-inning scoreless streak, in which

he has struck out 26 and allowed nine hits and three walks. That dropped his ERA to 3.00 and puts him

in this conversation -- if he can keep this good run going.

AL Cy Young

June 3, 2017 Page 25 of 30

Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox

Al Cy Young

Top Contenders

ERA K-BB

Chris Sale 2.77 110-16

Dallas Keuchel 1.81 62-16

Ervin Santana 1.75 56-29

Lance McCullers 2.48 73-19

Sale is atop this list, even with an ERA nearly a run higher than Dallas Keuchel's, largely on the strength

of his strikeout total (110 in 78 innings) and his limiting of the long ball (six home runs allowed). Also

notable: After leading the AL in hit by pitches the past two seasons, he has plunked only two batters in

11 starts.

One thing to check on for Sale going forward: His slider got hit hard the past two starts (five hits) and his

miss rate with it has been below his usual standard in his past four turns.

Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros

Keuchel's FIP is 3.11 and his ERA is 1.81, so something is probably going to give there. But he keeps the

ball down enough that over-the-fence damage should be limited (he hasn’t allowed a home run in his

past three starts). Keuchel's workload was heavy in April and it was reduced (in part because of a DL

stint) in May. The Astros have the luxury to do that given their bullpen quality and large division lead.

Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins

Santana is still here, despite allowing six runs to the Red Sox and five to the Rockies. He threw three

scoreless starts in May, including a two-hit shutout of the Orioles, and allowed two runs in seven innings

in a strong effort against the Astros.

The skepticism for Santana is in his strikeout-to-walk ratio (30-19 in May). It’s tough to ask your defense

to be as good as the Twins' has for Santana all season long.

Dark horse: Lance McCullers, Houston Astros

June 3, 2017 Page 26 of 30

If McCullers was doing what he’s doing (2.48 ERA, 10 strikeouts per 9 IP) averaging seven innings per

start instead of six, he’d be right there with the other guys atop the list. But the Astros are managing

him carefully and have good reason for doing so, wanting to preserve his innings for when they’re most

important. Nonetheless, when he does pitch, he dominates. He had a four-start stretch in May in which

he allowed no earned runs and 10 hits in 24 innings. But can his arm withstand the highest curveball

usage rate in the game?

FROM NBC SPORTS

Angels to sign Michael Bourn to a minor league deal

By Ashley Varela

The Angels are expected to sign free agent center fielder Michael Bourn to a minor league deal, per a

report by SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo. Bourn will be assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake, where he’ll come

alongside a core of outfielders that includes Forrestt Allday, Ramon Flores and Bo Way.

Bourn, 34, was last seen with the Orioles earlier this season. He batted .220/.373/.317 through 11

games for Triple-A Norfolk before opting for free agency in May. His minor league contract followed a

fairly successful major league run with the Orioles and Diamondbacks in 2016, during which he slashed a

collective .264/.314/.371 with 24 extra base hits and 15 stolen bases in 413 PA.

With both Mike Trout (torn UCL in left thumb) and Cameron Maybin (left oblique contusion) on the

disabled list, the Angels are looking to replenish their outfield reserves. While Bourn awaits his next

major league stint, veteran outfielders Shane Robinson and Eric Young Jr. will provide the big league

club with some immediate relief as the Angels prepare for the next 6-8 weeks without their MVP center

fielder.

FROM YAHOO! SPORTS

Twins hit trio of 2-run homers to beat Angels 11-5

By Steve Dilbeck

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- The power numbers have not always been there for the Minnesota Twins this

season, but they hit three home runs Friday night.

Joe Mauer, Robbie Grossman and Max Kepler each hit a two-run shot to lead the Twins to an 11-5 win

over the Los Angeles Angels.

For Mauer, his fourth home run was one of his four hits on the night. He has hit in 11 of his last 12

games against the Angels (.423).

June 3, 2017 Page 27 of 30

''He just seems like he's on everything right now,'' Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

For the third consecutive game, the Angels' Albert Pujols remained at 599 career home runs while going

0 for 4 with two early strikeouts. He has now gone 15 at-bats without a home run.

''The last couple, he hit two bullets but just didn't get them up,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ''He

hit the ball hard. He'll settle in and be fine.''

Kyle Gibson, in his third start since a brief minor-league demotion, turned in his best game of the season

for Minnesota. Gibson (2-4) took a shutout into the sixth inning before tiring and giving up two runs. He

allowed six hits in a season-high 5 2/3 innings while throwing 98 pitches - also a season-high.

''I'm just trying to be in the zone a little more, and when I miss, miss over the plate but down or up,'' the

right-hander said. ''It's something I really tried to focus on today, more balls that started in the strike

zone.''

JC Ramirez (5-4) suffered his worst start of the season for the Angels, giving up the seven runs and eight

hits in 4 1/3 innings. In his previous seven starts, the converted reliever had a 2.35 ERA and the Angels

had won six times.

Ramirez said he actually felt better than he had all season.

''I knew a day like this was coming,'' Ramirez said. ''It's not every time going to be good, good, good. I

just have to keep my head up and I think work extra for my next start.''

Mauer started the two-run homer parade for the Twins in the first inning with his fourth home run of

the season. Grossman and Kepler both hit their two-run shots in the third to give Gibson an early 6-0

lead.

''That's huge for a starting pitcher,'' Gibson said. ''Then the offense did a good job of adding on in the

third inning.''

The Twins added to their lead with a four-run eighth, two coming on a double from Byron Buxton. They

finished with 15 hits.

Danny Espinosa hit a two-run homer for the Angels in the ninth.

The Twins came to Anaheim on a four-game losing streak, but have won the first two games of the four-

game series against the Angels.

TRAINER'S ROOM

June 3, 2017 Page 28 of 30

Twins: C Chris Gimenez was scratched from the pregame cow-milking contest because he was starting in

the game. INF Edwardo Escobar filled in, but lost to Angels reliever Blake Parker. Escobar later struck out

against Parker in the ninth. ... LHP Jason Wheeler was traded to the Dodgers for cash.

Angels: Reliever Huston Street said he doesn't expect to pitch again for a week after his right triceps

stiffened up on him when pitching on back-to-back days on a rehab assignment. He has been out all

season with a strained lat.

ANGELS SIGN BOURN

With outfielders Mike Trout and Cameron Maybin on the disabled list, the Angels signed

veteran Michael Bourn, 34, to a minor-league contract. He started for their triple-A Salt Lake team

Friday, going 0 for 2 with a run. He had been released from the Orioles' Triple-A team last month.

MAUER HOT

Minnesota's first baseman started the year slowly, .225 in the first 21 games, but hit .346 in 22 May

games even before Friday's outburst. Said Gibson: ''He's been on a tear the last month and a half. It's

been fun to watch.''

UP NEXT

Twins: RHP Ervin Santana (7-2) looks to continue his strong start Saturday against the Angels. In nine of

his previous 11 starts, he has allowed one or no earned runs. His 1.75 ERA is the best in baseball.

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker will try to bounce back from one of his worst starts in weeks. He allowed

four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings Sunday in Miami. He is 3-1 with a 5.20 ERA in five home starts.