Conger ends Cactus League slump
The catching prospect went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs on Tuesday to power the Angels in a 14-6 Cactus League romp over the Kansas City Royals at Surprise, Ariz.
Conger was hitting .148 (4-for-27) with one extra-base hit and a pair of RBIs in 13 spring games. But he singled leading off the sixth inning, delivered a two-run double in the seventh and led off the ninth by depositing a pitch from reliever Luis Mendoza over the right-field fence.
The MVP of last year's Futures Game, Conger likely will start the season back at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he batted .300 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs in 108 games in 2010. He hit .172 with five RBIs in 13 games with the Angels.
Former fourth-round pick Clay Fuller, brought back from Minor League camp for this game, slugged a grand slam in the eighth. Peter Bourjos homered and doubled to raise his Cactus League average to .375 (15-for-40) for the Angels.
Top pitching prospect Tyler Chatwood recorded his first spring win after allowing three runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked one.
"Hank Conger had a really good night, calling the game and swinging the bat from both sides," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com. "And Chatwood was impressive. That kid's really come on strong. He's made a lot of strides."