Angels pay tribute to fallen pitcher

The Los Angeles Angels returned to the playing field on Friday night for the first time since the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart, and honoured his memory.

Angels players sported a memorial patch containing Adenhart's No. 34. There was also a tribute before the team's 6-3 victory at Angel Stadium against the Boston Red Sox.

Adenhart, 22, and two friends were killed in an automobile accident in Fullerton, Calif., just after midnight Thursday morning. Another friend is in critical condition in hospital.

Just hours earlier, Adenhart had pitched six innings of scoreless ball in just his fourth major-league game ever. 

'You've got to kiss your kids, kiss your family every day when you get up in the morning and before you leave for work.' —Torii Hunter, Angels outfielder

Jim Adenhart, his father, flew all the way from his Maryland home to watch the sterling performance.

"A lot of these guys in here have never lost anybody in their family that's close to them. I hate that this happened, but this is part of life. This is the real deal," veteran Torii Hunter said late Thursday.

"That's why you've got to kiss your kids, kiss your family every day when you get up in the morning and before you leave for work."

Police have a 22-year-old man in custody who allegedly ran a red light and killed Adenhart and his two friends. The Orange County district attorney's office Friday charged Andrew Thomas Gallo with three counts of murder.

Gallo was also charged with driving under the influence causing injury, driving with a blood-alcohol level over .08 per cent causing injury, and an enhancement that he personally inflicted great bodily injury.

He was also charged with fleeing the scene.

Gallo could receive 55 years to life in prison if convicted of all charges.

Adenhart died after undergoing surgery at University of California-Irvine Medical Center. Henry Pearson, 25, and driver Courtney Stewart, 20, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Jon Wilhite, 24, was in critical condition but expected to survive. Wilhite played baseball collegiately at Cal State Fullerton.

Adenhart likely wouldn't have been playing were it not for injuries to veteran pitchers Kelvim Escobar, Ervin Santana and John Lackey. 

Jered Weaver earned the win for Los Angeles on Friday as they begin their three-game set against Boston.