Angels 5, Cubs 4 at Tempe. The win column gets another entry.
I'm getting this from box scores and beat notes like everyone else — the Angels aren't putting these on television, which is its own editorial comment on how the organisation values its fanbase, but that's a separate conversation. What I can tell from Thursday's numbers:
Matthew Boyd threw three perfect innings against the projected Opening Day lineup. Thirty-four pitches, three strikeouts, no baserunners. He was tuning up for the World Baseball Classic and apparently found his rhythm doing it. Trout struck out on a breaking ball in the dirt according to the play-by-play — late on it, which in February probably means he's working on his timing or his load or something mechanical that'll be sorted by the time it matters.
Jaxon Wiggins came on for the Cubs after Boyd, had pitched well enough through the fourth, and then gave up four runs in the fifth. That's how the Angels won — not by doing damage against a sharp pitcher, but by being patient until a young prospect ran out of runway. Fine. Wins are wins in spring training, even the ugly ones.
Soriano started and gave up three in three innings — five hits, four strikeouts. According to Bollinger's notes he was working through some mechanical things, which is either reassuring context or the kind of thing beat reporters say to avoid alarming anyone in February. His command has been inconsistent across two outings now. Worth watching as spring goes on.
Kyren Paris had a couple of hits. That's been the quiet positive note of the week.