Angels getting used to the new LED lights at Angel Stadium

It’s normal for batters to chit-chat with the opposing team’s first baseman after a hit or a walk, but C.J. Cron of the Angels found it peculiar when the same topic kept coming up in conversations with Dodgers players in the first game of the Freeway Series in Angel Stadium on Thursday night.

“When they got to first, all the Dodgers were saying, ‘When did you guys switch to cream-colored pants?’ ” Cron said before Friday night’s game. “I’m like, ‘We didn’t, but we have new lights, and they’re trying to figure these things out.’ ”

The Angels this winter joined a growing list of major league teams to install a new LED lighting system, which is expected to improve visibility, reduce glare and shadows on the field and lower maintenance costs and energy usage.

The Seattle Mariners were the first team to install LED lights in 2015. The Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and Houston Astros installed LED lights in 2016, and the Baltimore Orioles did so this season.

The first thing players noticed was that the new lights made their white uniform pants look cream-colored. Mike Trout noticed a theater-like effect from his position in center field.

“It seemed like it was darker in the stands,” Trout said. “They’re obviously different than last year. It’s going to take a few games to get used to them, and they’re definitely going to adjust them during these first couple of games and throughout the season. But I like them, for sure.”

Cron was one of several players who struggled to adjust to the new lights.

“I just don’t think they’re locked in yet,” the Angels first baseman said. “It could be because it was our first night game in seven months, but it just didn’t feel perfect. Something seemed a little off. I don’t think there’s supposed to be shadows at night.

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Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner watches his two-run home run against the Angels during the first inning Saturday. The Angels would rally for a 4-4 tie in the final game of the Freeway Series.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) congratulates teammate Justin Turner (10) after he hit a two-run homer in the first inning Saturday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

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Angels center fielder Mike Trout makes a catch on a ball hit by Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (not pictured) as teammate Yasiel Puig rounds third base during the second inning Saturday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) is congratulated by teammate Yunel Escobar after hitting a two-run home run against the Dodgers during the third inning Saturday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Albert Pujols is congratulated by Agnels teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run homer Saturday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Angels second baseman Danny Espinosa tries to stay on his feet after forcing out Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner and throwing to first base for a double play during the third inning Saturday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Angels outfielder Cameron Maybin is congratulated by Manager Mike Scioscia after scoring on a ground out by teammate Danny Espinosa during the second inning Saturday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun can’t reach an RBI double by Dodgers left fielder Andrew Toles in the third inning at Angel Stadium on Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Dodgers left fielder Andrew Toles connects for an RBI double during the third inning against the Angels on Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda did not give up a hit and struck out four in three innings against the Angels on Thursday. Although the Dodgers did not give up a hit for six innings, a three-run rally in the seventh inning led the Angels to a 3-2 victory.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Angels center fielder Mike Trout follows through on a double against Dodgers reliever Brandon Morrow during the seventh inning Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Dodgers right fielder D.J. Peters fields the carom of Mike Trout’s double during the seventh inning Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Angels center fielder Mike Trout scores the team’s second run during a three-run seventh inning against Dodgers pitcher Brandon Morrow on Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Angels players celebrate after scoring runs against Dodgers pitcher Brandon Morrow, left, who during the seventh inning Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Angels Manager Mike Scioscia talks strategy with catcher Tony Sanchez and reliever Justin Miller during the ninth inning on Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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ANAHEIM, CA, THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 - Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes celebrates with teammates after hitting a ninth-inning solo homer against the Angels on Thursday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“I guess they can tinker with them to get them where they need to be. I guess they’re going to be different [Friday] night. We’ll see if it’s any better.”

Manager Mike Scioscia said the team is working with stadium officials and lighting engineers to iron out any kinks in the system.

“I’m not sure about the technology,” Scioscia said, “but there all kinds of ways to adjust these lights.”

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said Angels third base coach Ron Roenicke turned to him in the sixth inning to say the lights were new and ask if he had any problems with them.

“I saw the ball fine,” Turner said.

Street smart

Reliever Huston Street credited a platelet-rich plasma injection that he received 2 1/2 weeks ago with promoting the healing of an upper back strain that has sidelined him since early March. The veteran right-hander was cleared to begin a throwing program on Tuesday and could return by May.

“As an athlete, you want to know that it’s healed, and now I can start working confidently,” Street said. “We all play through a lot of stuff, but when you’re injured, you can be working in a negative direction. So we got good news [Thursday] that we’re working in a positive direction.”

Street, who is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued 2016 season in which he went 3-2 with a career-worst 6.45 earned-run average, must progress from flat-ground throwing to bullpen sessions and will need five to seven rehabilitation appearances before returning. He declined to place a target on that return.

“I’m not shooting for anything,” Street said. “I made the mistake last year of coming back too early from the oblique [injury]. That was my fault. You’re a competitor and you want to pitch. I learned a little bit from that mistake.”

Short hops

Lower-back soreness sidelined Andrelton Simmons for the fifth straight game, but the shortstop completed a vigorous pregame workout Friday, and Scioscia said he “anticipates” that Simmons will play Saturday night. … Pitcher Matt Shoemaker, who underwent emergency brain surgery after being struck in the head by a line drive in Seattle last September, has decided to wear a small carbon-fiber piece of equipment, made by Safer Sports Technologies, inside the right side of his cap to help protect his head.

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