Angels 6, Cubs 4

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MESA, Ariz.--Joe Saunders pitched four shutout innings and Matt Brown’s three-run double keyed a four-run rally in the seventh inning, lifting the Angels to a 6-4 victory over the Cubs.

The Angels raised their spring record to 12-3, best in the major leagues.

Saunders, nagged by shoulder soreness earlier this spring, said his shoulder felt ‘a million times better.’ He also drove in the Angels’ first run, on a single that he said was his first hit in 11 years.

Brown, an infielder in all likelihood bound for triple-A Salt Lake, is hitting .429 and leads the Angels with nine runs batted in. He and reliever Kevin Jepsen played for Team USA in last year’s Beijing Olympics.

‘I think the Olympics gave him a big lift,’ Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. ‘He got some clutch hits for them.’

--Bill Shaikin