ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Bobby Wilson hit an RBI single moments after Reggie Willits scored from second base on a groundout to the pitcher in the bottom of the ninth, as the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.
The Angels' two-run rally came a half-inning after the Padres scored twice against new Angels closer Brian Fuentes.
The Angels ended the spring 26-8, leading the majors in wins -- and the only team with less than 10 losses. Meanwhile, the Padres (10-21) finished with the fewest wins.
Nick Hundley tied it for the Padres in the ninth with a leadoff homer, and Everth Cabrera put San Diego ahead 4-3 with a sacrifice fly to right field.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Willits started the rally with a single to center. Sean Rodriguez walked before Maicer Izturis hit a comebacker to Padres reliever Allen Harrington. Willits hesitated while rounding third base, but sprinted home when Harrington threw the ball to first to retire Izturis. Willits scored, but only because Hundley couldn't handle the throw at home from Padres first baseman Peter Ciofrone.
"If we catch the ball, he's out by 30 feet, right?" Padres manager Bud Black said.
Black was pleased that young players like Hudley and Cabrera keyed the rally, which was helped by two throwing errors by Fuentes on separate plays. Despite the losing spring, Black is confident as the season approaches.
"Physically, we're in good shape," Black said. "The guys we projected to be on the team are on the team, so that's a good thing. One starting pitcher, Cha Seung Baek is on the disabled list, but overall we're in good shape."
Robb Quinlan gave the Angels a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning with a homer off the screen of the left-field foul pole against Padres reliever Robert Woodard. The homer was Quinlan's fifth of the spring, tying him with Torii Hunter for the team lead.
After the game, Angels manager Mike Scioscia keep the clubhouse doors closed for 50 minutes as he finalized the roster. Among those sent down were Matt Brown, who batted .468 in the spring, as well as Willits and Wilson.
"They all had great springs and all those guys are just waiting for an opportunity," Scioscia said. "Right now, we're just a little handcuffed with a 12-man pitching staff."
Notes
Angels No. 3 starter Nick Adenhart pitched two simulated innings (25 pitches) before Saturday's game in advance of his season debut Wednesday. ... Angels No. 4 starter Jered Weaver pitched 6 1/3 innings in a minor-league camp game at Tempe, Ariz. ... Padres manager Bud Black said he will finalize the team's roster Sunday.
