Albert Pujols gets off to great start with Angels

By Mike DiGiovanna

March 5, 2012 12 AM PT

<i>This post has been updated, as indicated below.</i>

Phoenix — Albert Pujols hit a run-scoring double and a single Monday in his first two at-bats in an Angels uniform.

Pujols, the former St. Louis Cardinals star who signed a 10-year, $240-million deal with the Angels in December, followed singles by Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick with a double to left in the first inning of an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics.

Pujols then followed Kendrick’s two-run home run to center in the second inning with a single to left, but he was stranded, as Torii Hunter lined out to second to end the inning.

Left-hander C.J. Wilson, who signed a five-year, $77.5-million deal in December, also had a sharp debut, allowing one single and walking one in two scoreless innings. The Angels led, 5-0, going into the bottom of the third.

[Updated, 1:48 p.m., March 5: Pujols came up in the bottom of the third with the bases loaded and two outs and flied to right field against A’s reliever Fautino De Los Santos.]

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