Angels
The Angels posted their third series sweep this season, and Jered Weaver had recorded a victory in each of them. … The team celebrated Albert Pujols’ joining the 500-homer club in a pregame ceremony last week. Tony La Russa was among the speakers. … Rookie Cam Bedrosian pitched two extra innings of one-hit relief last week. He is the 22-year-old son of 1987 NL Cy Young Award winner Steve Bedrosian. … Hector Santiago struck out eight during six innings of three-hit ball last week in his first start in five weeks for the Angels. Santiago was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake after Tyler Skaggs went on the DL. The Angels’ offseason acquisition from the White Sox lost his spot in the rotation May 7 after going 0-6.
Astros
DH Chris Carter, on what his mentality was during his seventh-inning at-bat last week in which he hit his first career big-league grand slam.: “I’m just trying to hit the ball in the air, get the run in, keep the ball off the ground and stay out of the double play.” … Reuters points out the recent call-ups of 1B Jon Singleton and OF George Springer to the lineup has suddenly given the team some serious pop.
Athletics
Oakland batters have been in a deep slump recently. “They’re grinding right now,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s difficult to go this long without a hit, and the longer it goes, the tougher it is. But you’re got to fight through it, and it makes you tougher. Offensively we’ve sputtered a little bit, but overall, the numbers have been good. You’re not going to score 10 runs every game, and guys are going to go through tough stretches.” … 3B Josh Donaldson had three errors in a game last week, all throwing to first.
Mariners
The team honored Yankees SS Derek Jeter during a pregame ceremony in his final visit to Seattle where he made his major league debut in 1995. Jeter was given a seat from the old Kingdome and an engraved watch from former New York teammate Robinson Cano as part of his farewell tour gifts. Jeter then went out and had two hits and scored two runs. … The team signed second-round pick OF Gareth Morgan. … RHP Taijuan Walker (shoulder) returned from his rehab assignment and optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
Rangers
Jim Adduci has been on the DL since April 19 after breaking his left pinkie finger. Adduci, who played four games at first for the Rangers last season, was close to being reactivated before reinjuring the finger on a minor league rehab last week. The team is hoping the latest injury was a minor setback. … Elvis Andrus was 0 for 4 to snap a 39-game hitting streak against Cleveland. It was the second-longest streak against one team in the majors going back to 1914, according to STATS.
Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.
