Adenhart making statement to be Angels’ fifth starter (RR)

Where have you gone, Lackey and Escobar,
Halo-nation turns its lonely eyes to you…

If Nick Adenhart isn’t the Angels’ fifth starter to open the season, it won’t be because of anything he has done — or failed to do — this spring.

The right-hander, 21, continued to make his case to hold down a spot in the Angels’ rotation until John Lackey or Kelvim Escobar returns by pitching six shutout innings in an 8-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.

Adenhart allowed three singles and walked two while striking out six. In five Cactus League appearances, he has allowed 18 hits and six runs (half on one three-run mistake to Arizona’s Jeff Salazar) over 182/3 innings (2.89 ERA) while striking out 13 and walking three.