THE GAME: The Angels beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-4, on Thursday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

PITCHING REPORT: Right-hander Michael Lorenzen gave up three runs (two earned) in three innings. He struck out two and walked one. “Everything felt really good today,” Lorenzen said. “I felt like I pounded the strike zone. It’s a good time to see how hitters react to your stuff. You can’t get a good idea of how they are reacting if you are nibbling all the time.” Lorenzen also said he made a quick adjustment with his slider in recent days that has the pitch working the way he wants it again. … Right-hander Andrew Wantz pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two. The Angels are looking to see which of their relievers can handle multi-inning roles, especially early in the season when the starters will be on more limited pitch counts.

HITTING REPORT: Anthony Rendon barely missed a homer, settling for a double on a drive against the left-field fence. … Brandon Marsh doubled into left-center, driving in a run. … Jared Walsh lined an RBI single into right-center. It was Walsh’s second hit in 10 at-bats this spring. He started slowly last spring too, hitting .217 with a .522 OPS. … Matt Duffy was hitless in two at-bats in his first game of the spring. Duffy signed during the first week of camp. … Taylor Ward snapped a seventh-inning tie with his second home run of the spring. He and Jo Adell are the only players with multiple homers this spring.

DEFENSE REPORT: Lorenzen dropped a ball when he was covering first base in the second inning. Shortstop David Fletcher then made an errant flip to Duffy, at second. A good throw might have still been too late to get the runner at second, but the error allowed a runner to score from third. … Second baseman Michael Stefanic made a sliding stop going up the middle. … Catcher Chad Wallach threw out a runner trying to steal second. … Center fielder Magneuris Sierra ranged into right-center and made a nice play, fighting the sun.

UP NEXT: Angels at Diamondbacks, Friday, 1 p.m. PT, Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz., Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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