Notes: Lesson pays off for Kendrick

07/19/2006
ANAHEIM -- Howie Kendrick proved he could hit in four productive Minor League seasons.
But during his first turn in the Majors earlier this year, Kendrick found out quickly he had something new to master: the big-league breaking ball.
So after going 3-for-23 in his first callup, Kendrick returned to Triple-A and concentrated on hitting offspeed pitches.
"They started doing the same thing to me up here as they were doing down there," Kendrick said. "I just focused on slowing the game down and making adjustments to not swing at balls off the plate."
Kendrick credits his work with Salt Lake hitting coach Jim Eppard and games with Colorado Springs, which fed him a steady diet of breaking pitches.
"Some teams just decided to pitch me one way," Kendrick said. "Facing [Colorado Springs] worked to my advantage because I was able work on hitting off-speed."
It showed in the fourth inning Tuesday night when Indians left-hander Cliff Lee started him out with a breaking ball and Kendrick swung through it. He then lined a changeup to left to score two runs that Kendrick admitted was also a bit of guesswork.
Kendrick is beginning to push his way into the Angels' lineup against left-handers, along with Robb Quinlan, to help boost the team's production. Entering Wednesday, the Angels were hitting .254 against lefties. As his progress continues, though, a platoon system will not be in Kendrick's future for long.
"When he gets in the batter's box, he doesn't remind you of anyone because he is special," manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think he is going to separate himself [from the pack] as his career moves on because of the offensive talent that he has."
Getting close: Jered Weaver threw a "touch" bullpen session Wednesday and will throw a full bullpen Friday, when the club will reevaluate the right-hander. If he does not suffer any setbacks, Weaver will start Sunday in Kansas City.
"We're very confident that he will be ready, but he has to show us," Scioscia said.
Weaver has been sidelined with biceps tendinitis, a condition that also bothered him in college and one he felt in his last two starts. If Weaver cannot go, he will be placed on the disabled list, retroactive to July 9. Left-hander Joe Saunders would start in his place.
Right-hander Kelvim Escobar has done a more convincing job in his recovery from a sore right elbow and is on target to pitch Saturday against the Royals, Scioscia said.
Tick, tock: Casey Kotchman has missed a total of 61 games this season as he recovers from mononucleosis. The first baseman played well in Spring Training, but struggled in the early going this season and was placed on the disabled list May 9.
The club has yet to close the window on the season for Kotchman, but time continues to shorten.
"Right now, we want to get Casey feeling good," Scioscia said. "This year is slipping through some cracks, but we're not giving up yet."
Carving a niche: Kotchman was supposed to take over for Darin Erstad this season at first base. Most scouts believe Kotchman has similar defensive skills to the three-time Gold Glove-winning Erstad, who won two in center field and another at first, but his illness has kept him off the field.
That has created a platoon at first base this season that has included recent starter Kendry Morales, Quinlan, Kendrick and also Dallas McPherson. During his most recent rehab assignment, McPherson has been playing some first base.
With Kotchman becoming a more doubtful proposition to return this season, McPherson could be a future option there. The Angels prefer players that can move around to multiple positions, especially from their bench.
"If a guy is more versatile, there is more opportunity. Look at [Quinlan] and [Maicer Izturis]," Scioscia said. "That versatility will help Dallas and our lineup because we can use his power bat."
No news: Erstad returned from New York with no change in the diagnosis that he has a sore right ankle caused by bone spurs and years of wear and tear that has produced some arthritis, Scioscia said.
Erstad was seen in New York by foot specialist Dr. William Hamilton, who is the orthopedist for the New York City Ballet. The outfielder will not accompany the team on its upcoming road trip.

Source: http://angels.mlb.com/

Lackey's streak ends, as does Halos'

07/19/2006
ANAHEIM -- All things being equal, John Lackey will take the win.
And since there truly is no equal to "the W" in sports, Lackey was left at a loss -- literally.
The right-hander brought a scoreless innings streak with him into Wednesday's start and ran the string to 30 2/3 until Ben Broussard brought it to an abrupt close with a two-run, game-tying homer.
That blast helped fuel a five-run fifth by the Indians as the Angels went down to a 6-4 defeat on a warm afternoon that saw their winning streak end at eight games.
Lackey had a few words for himself as he walked around the mound after the 0-1 pitch to Broussard left the yard, but it wasn't about the streak which had become more annoyance than achievement for the starter.
"I couldn't care less about the scoreless innings streak," Lackey said. "I want to win; that tied the game, man."
It was the first loss in five starts for Lackey, who was clearly not as sharp as he's been. But the offense, which has been red-hot to match the heat wave sweeping most of the nation, can only look at missed opportunities as the Halos fell 1 1/2 games back of the A's in the American League West.
The Angels had nine hits, including another home run by Juan Rivera, who hit his eighth home run of July and 14th this season. But they stranded nine runners and went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position in a game that presented multiple opportunities against a familiar face.
Paul Byrd was pure to form Wednesday, allowing hits and putting runners on. But as he proved in an Angels uniform last season, he had command of the strike zone. He didn't walk a batter and allowed just three runs despite giving up 10 hits.
"Paul pitched like he did for us last year. He changed speeds and he used his defense," manager Mike Scioscia said. "He made some pitches to get off the hook, but that play [Casey] Blake made was huge."
That would be a diving grab of a sinking liner off the bat of Chone Figgins in the sixth. With two out and two on, Figgins pulled a shot down the right-field line that was certain to score two with a probable triple as the outcome, but Blake laid out to catch the ball and end the inning.
But as Byrd joked a day earlier, one run should have been enough for the Angels.
Lackey had tossed two complete-game shutouts in his two previous starts while recording at least 10 strikeouts in his last three outings. The last Angels starter to accomplish either of those feats was Mark Langston in the early '90s.
With a solid fastball location and a sharp breaking ball, Lackey had not allowed a run since the sixth inning of a June 26 home game against the Rockies. But his command was not the same Wednesday, and the Indians have a potent lineup.
Lackey put runners on the corners in the first inning but managed to strike out the side. He then loaded the bases in the second on a single, a double and a walk before fanning Blake to end the inning. He allowed two hits and a walk over the next two innings, but the inevitable was looming as he went increasingly to his slider.
The Angels staked Lackey to a 2-0 lead on Vladimir Guerrero's RBI single in the first and Rivera's solo homer in the fourth, but the scoreless ride for Lackey ended in the fifth.
After striking out Travis Hafner to open the inning, Lackey walked Victor Martinez on four pitches and left a two-seam fastball out over the plate for Broussard to hit for his 12th home run this season.
Ronnie Belliard then hit an infield single, but strained his left hamstring and left the game. Todd Hollandsworth doubled to left and Jhonny Peralta followed with a two-run single to right off Lackey. Joe Inglett then capped the inning with an RBI double to left to score Peralta and give the Indians a 5-2 advantage.
"I haven't caught him in a while, but his command seemed a little off," said Jose Molina, who started behind the plate. "But that is the game of baseball. Sometimes you have it, some times you don't."
The Angels have gone 13-2 in July to get back in the hunt in the American League West. They now head out on a 10-game road trip to face the Royals, Rays and Red Sox before returning home for six games with divisional rivals Oakland and Texas.
"We're definitely in the race; we're right there," Lackey said. "But I definitely think that other teams look at what we do because we've won it the last two years."

Source: http://angels.mlb.com/

Notes: Hillenbrand a possibility

07/21/2006
KANSAS CITY -- The Angels have interest in Shea Hillenbrand, who was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Wednesday.
Hillenbrand was let go after a dispute with manager John Gibbons in a clubhouse meeting. The Blue Jays said Hillenbrand was designated for assignment "because of irreconcilable differences."
"I have no idea what went on there and I don't want to comment on it," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before the game on Thursday with the Royals.
Scioscia did acknowledge the Angels have interest in Hillenbrand, who was hitting .301 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs in 81 games with Toronto.
"I'm not going to say that his name has not been considered or is being considered," Scioscia said. "He's a guy who has always hit well, certainly the first half of the season. The second half maybe he hasn't been quite as strong. He's a veteran hitter that would bring out that presence."
The Angels are in search for offensive help. They entered Thursday 10th in the American League in hitting, .266 average, and slugging, .417, and 11th in on-base percentage, .326, and runs, 448.
Scioscia said adding Hillenbrand, who would likely play mostly at first base and some at DH, or some other bat is just part of the equation.
"You have to balance anytime you're going to make a change," Scioscia said. "Who are you taking [at-bats] away from? Are you going to be better? Are you moving ahead?"
He said "the whole picture," including defense, has to be considered.
"Right now we're focusing on defensive continuity, too. These are all things we've got to consider."
He noted adding Hillenbrand would take at-bats away from Kendry Morales, Robb Quinlan, Tim Salmon and possibly Dallas McPherson, who is on the disabled list with a bad back but is on a Minor League rehab assignment.
"One thing you don't want to do is erase the pieces that have provided an important role right now," Scioscia said.
General manager Bill Stoneman will be working the phones seeking help for the Angels before the July 31 trading deadline.
"If Bill sees a way to improve our club, he's going to pursue it," Scioscia said.
All systems go: Kelvim Escobar, who threw a bullpen session on Thursday, and rookie Jered Weaver are scheduled to start Saturday and Sunday for the final two games of the series at Kansas City.
Escobar went on the disabled list July 14 with right elbow irritation. Weaver was not placed on the disabled list, but skipped a start with tightness in his biceps.
The Angels took the cautionary route with Weaver.
"It is very likely something he could have pitched with, but I don't think we wanted to take that risk right now," Scioscia said. "He's going to throw more innings [this year] than he ever has in his life."
He said with the All-Star break and Weaver missing a start that they want him to "stay strong for what we hope is a pennant race."
Scioscia said putting Weaver on the disabled list would "be overkill," since that would have pushed his start back into the middle of next week.
Remembering Gubicza: Mark Gubicza, who finished his career with the Angels with two starts in 1997, will be inducted into the Royals' Hall of Fame on Friday.
Gubicza won 20 games for the Royals in 1988 and was a two-time All-Star selection. He ranks second on the Royals' all-time strikeout list with 1,366.
Angels pitching coach Buddy Black and Gubicza were teammates for several years, including the Royals' 1985 world championship season.
"He and Sabes [Bret Saberhagen] came up at the same time," Black said. "They both had that playfulness to them as young players, which was refreshing. Both of them really listened. Gubie had a great work ethic with good stuff. He had a good sinker, hard and low in the zone. He was very competitive. He wore his emotions on his sleeves when he pitched."
Roster move: After Thursday's game, the Angels called up right-hander Chris Bootcheck, who is 4-2 with a 6.61 ERA in 28 games, including five starts, with Triple-A Salt Lake. Bootcheck worked three scoreless innings in relief on Wednesday to pick up a win over Fresno. Bootcheck was up with the Angels earlier this season, appearing in one game and allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.
To make room for Bootcheck on the roster, the Angels optioned outfielder Tommy Murphy to Salt Lake. Murphy hit .241 in 28 games with the Angels.
Minor points: Right-hander Nick Green (5-1, 4.53 ERA) pitched eight solid innings for Double-A Arkansas in a 6-3 victory over Tulsa. Green, a 2004 35th-round pick out of Darton College in Albany, Ga., allowed seven hits, struck out seven and walked none. ... C Jeff Mathis was 4-for-6 with two doubles and two RBIs as Triple-A Salt Lake defeated Fresno 7-6. Mathis drove in the winning run with a 10th inning double.

Source: http://angels.mlb.com/

Angels' defense costly in loss to Royals

07/21/2006
KANSAS CITY -- This one came out of the blue, totally unexpected.
The Angels, who had won eight of the previous nine games, committed four errors and starter Ervin Santana walked a career-high eight batters and also had two wild pitches in 4 1/3 innings in a 9-4 loss to the Royals on Thursday night to open a 10-game road trip. The loss snapped the Angels' nine-game winning streak at Kansas City.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia knew exactly what to do with a game like this one.
"That might be one of the ones you definitely want to turn the page on, not only turn the page, but rip it out of the folder, crumple it up and throw it away," Scioscia said.
This one was definitely one to forget.
"We haven't had a game like that in a while," Scioscia said. "We've been playing great baseball. Tonight isn't really something that you would expect, but it happens. We'll move forward. We've been playing very sound, fundamental baseball for a long time now. This game we've just got to turn the page on."
Scioscia said Santana was "physically fine."
"He just had a problem getting the ball into good zones and after a while getting the ball over the plate," he said. "That was probably the most erratic any of us have seen him. He's got to turn the page, too. It's a tough start for him."
Santana, an 11-game winner who is 7-0 in his past nine starts, received a no-decision.
"Every day is not a happy day," Santana said. "Today was not my day. I was struggling with my performance. I don't have command of my fastball, my slider, nothing. I don't have nothing today. I try to keep battling and battling and do my best.
"No excuses. It is over now. You can't go back and let me do it again. You cannot."
Despite Santana's early problems, the Angels tied the score at 4 with a pair of runs in the fifth. Vladimir Guerrero had a two-run double, scoring Maicer Izturis, who had singled, and Orlando Cabrera, who was hit by a Jimmy Gobble pitch. Guerrero also had a run-producing single in the third. Howie Kendrick's double in the fourth scored Mike Napoli with the other Angels run.
The Angels had Guerrero at third and Juan Rivera, who had singled, at first with nobody out in the fifth, but didn't score another run to seize the lead. Napoli flied out to left, too shallow to score Guerrero. Garret Anderson then lined into an inning-ending double play.
"We had a great opportunity after we tied the game with runners on first and third," Scioscia said. "That could have put a different light on the game as we moved forward, but Elmer Dessens came in and did a great job to come in and get out of that inning and hold it as a tie game. If we grab the lead, obviously we are in a little better position to do something on the mound, but that wasn't the case. We've got to regroup and go after them tomorrow."
Kevin Gregg, the second of four Angels pitchers, was charged with the loss. Gregg gave up an unearned run in the sixth when the Angels committed three errors. They lead the American League with 77 errors.
Napoli was charged with catcher's interference in the sixth on a pitch out when Doug Mientkiewicz was swinging to protect the runner and made contact.
"I've got catcher's interference before, but never on a pitchout," Napoli said. "We just need to forget about this game. It's not fun playing games like this. You've just got to let it go, which I'm sure everybody in this clubhouse will."

Source: http://angels.mlb.com/

Molina, Quinlan lead the offense

03/13/2006
Angels at the plate: Jose Molina drove in three runs with a pair of doubles, and Robb Quinlan singled in two runs in the Angels' deciding four-run fourth inning. Vladimir Guerrero doubled and singled and Orlando Cabrera singled twice. Howie Kendrick singled in a run in the seventh.
Mariners at the plate: On a quiet day for the Mariners' offense, Jose Lopez singled in the team's first run in the second inning. Oswaldo Navarro had an RBI fielder's choice in the eighth. Kenji Johjima continued to swing a hot bat, notching singles in his first two at-bats. Richie Sexson came back from a day off because of a tight right quadriceps and singled in his first at-bat.
Angels on the mound: Ervin Santana was sharp, pitching four innings and giving up one run on four hits while striking out five and not walking a batter. Dustin Moseley was equally impressive, tossing three shutout frames of relief, surrendering one hit while striking out two.
Mariners on the mound: Gil Meche looked good in his return to the mound after missing the last two weeks because of an oblique strain on his left side. Meche pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three batters while only allowing one hit, a Guerrero double. Lefty Travis Blackley struggled, giving up four runs in the fourth inning.
Cactus League records: Angels 7-5; Mariners 4-7.
Up next: The Angels travel to Surprise, Ariz., on Tuesday to take on the Kansas City Royals, with right-hander Hector Carrasco getting the start against Royals righty Runelvys Hernandez. The Mariners will head out to HoHoKam Park in Mesa to take on the Cubs. Jesse Foppert will start and is scheduled to be followed by Bobby Livingston, George Sherrill, Luis Gonzalez and Francisco Cruceta.

Source: http://anaheim.angels.mlb.com/

Notes: Santana sliding through spring

03/13/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- A productive offseason for Ervin Santana was apparent Monday afternoon.
With his slider and breaking ball working against the Seattle Mariners at the Peoria Sports Complex, Santana held the M's to one run on four hits through four innings in his third start of the spring, getting the win in the 6-3 game and improving to 2-0.
His slider is an improvement from last season, where he said it worked only "sometimes."
"But now every time when I go to pitch, I feel the difference," Santana said.
That difference didn't come from the help of Angels pitching coach Bud Black, either.
It came from hours of work this winter that provided a new-found control with his pitches.
On Monday, with everything working, he wanted to go more than four innings, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia wouldn't let him. However, the skipper was impressed with the location of Santana's fastball and breaking ball.
"Ervin had great stuff and had it in the zone," Scioscia said.
Goal oriented: Like many ballplayers, Santana set goals for the 2006 season, but he's staying mum on what they are.
Cy Young Award? "No."
Two-hundred strikeouts? "No."
Three-hundred? "No."
Thirty-five starts?
"I'm not going to tell you," he said.
Standing his ground, Santana said he'll share some insight on his progress during the All-Star break, but nothing until then.
Day to day: Garret Anderson's sore left heel has been progressing slowly, Scioscia said after Monday's game.
What was originally thought would keep Anderson out of the line up for a couple of days has lasted a week and could be longer. But Scioscia isn't concerned. If the injury takes a couple more days to heal, then so be it, he said.
Anderson has been taking batting practice and throwing, but there's no timetable for his return to the lineup.
"Even if he does miss a little time here, there's plenty of games left for him," Scioscia said. "He doesn't need that many at-bats."
Scoiscia couldn't pinpoint the exact time of Anderson's injury, but it began to flare up around last Tuesday. After improving for most of last week, it got stagnant late in the week, but improved again this past weekend.
The missed time won't impact Anderson's status for Opening Day on April 3 against Seattle. If this was the regular season, Scioscia said Anderson would be playing.
"Its moving in the right direction," he said. "However long it takes, it takes."
Trying his hardest: With his Angels' future not yet set in stone, Kendry Morales has been making strides to show Scioscia he's ready to be a big-league first baseman.
Offensively, Morales looks like he's already there.
On Monday, he upped his batting average to .423 with a 1-for-2 day with a walk.
Scioscia has been impressed with Morales' work ethic during camp. The 22-year-old has been putting in extra time with first-base coach Alfredo Griffin learning the nuances of the position. Already, Scioscia has seen the difference. Scioscia noticed that Morales is "getting more and more comfortable there, every time he's out there."
"I think that there's probably a role in our club that he might work his way into before his defense is where you are looking for it to be," Scioscia said. "Right now, we're excited about his upside and developing him to the max of his upside. If we have to adjust down from that, we will. He's making a lot of strides at first base."
Ouch: In the third inning Monday, Santana caught a line drive off the bat of the Mariners' Jeremy Reed, resulting in a bruised palm and wrist.
After he game Santana had ice on it, but didn't seem concerned. Scioscia said Santana was fine coming out of the game.
Reassigned: The Angels reassigned six pitchers to Minor League camp on Sunday. Tim Bittner, Dan Davidson, Matt Hensley, Tommy Mendoza, Alex Serrano were non-roster invitees and Steven Shell was on the 40-man roster.
Ripping it: Jose Molina hit two doubles and finished with three RBIs in a 2-for-3 day. ... After running for Orlando Cabrera in the fifth inning, Erick Aybar went 2-for-2 with a double and scored a run. ... Vladimir Guerrero went 2-for-3 with a double and a single, raising his average to .417 on the spring. ... Howie Kendrick continued to make a name for himself, coming off the bench in the seventh inning to go 1-for-2 with one RBI ... Robb Quinlan knocked in two runs with a double, going 2-for-4. ... Tim Salmon went 0-for-3 Monday. That's 0-for-7 for the last two games.
Up next: As the Angels go for their third win in a row, Hector Carrasco (0-0, 3.86 ERA) will take the mound against Kansas City's Runelvys Hernandez on Tuesday at 12:05 p.m. PT in Surprise, Ariz.

Source: http://anaheim.angels.mlb.com/

Mailbag: Colon's health carries weight

03/13/2006
Coming into Spring Training I remember reading about how Bartolo Colon was supposed to be in such great shape. It appears to me, however, that he hasn't really lost any weight at all. What's up? -- Riley A., Calgary
Colon is in better shape physically following a more regimented offseason training program, but he admitted he has not lost any weight. A bigger issue for both Colon and the Angels is the condition of his right shoulder and lower back. Neither has caused the right-hander any pain this spring or slowed him down.
Colon is further ahead than he has been in past springs and is showing it by pitching well in the World Baseball Classic. He must continue back exercises throughout the season to avoid the back spasms that plagued him at different points of last season. While his weight will always be a concern, the bigger issue is his overall conditioning, which is better this spring than it has been since he joined the Angels.
If Howie Kendrick is as "can't-miss" as has been advertised and he continues to hit in the spring, why don't the Angels play him at DH to start the year? I know that is a traditional power spot, but Kendrick would seem to fit right in with the Angels style of bunching hits and speed on the base paths as they manufacture runs. -- Michael H., East Brunswick, N.J.
The idea has been floated that Kendrick could help the Angels lineup as the designated hitter, but it is seen as more of a stopgap measure if the offense needs a jolt. If he is head and shoulders above the competition at Triple-A, then the Angels will certainly open up a spot for him, but there is a reluctance to bring him up solely to be the DH.
Kendrick has made great strides at second base and projects onto the Angels depth chart probably sooner than later given that Adam Kennedy will be in his walk year in 2006. But the Angels do not want to arrest Kendrick's development as a player by reducing him to purely an offensive role. His quickest route to the Majors at the moment will be as a second baseman and the organization will keep him there until other needs dictate a switch.
If Jeff Weaver signs with another club next year, will the Angels receive a high draft pick for compensation? Bonus Question: I hear over and over again that a player has a lifetime batting average of X, even when he has years left in him at the Major League level. So, how does one achieve a "lifetime" batting average with many more ABs remaining in his career?-- Ben N., La Palma, Calif.
The Angels will receive a compensation pick for Weaver if he does not re-sign with them and they offer him salary arbitration. His statistics will determine whether he is a Class A, B or C free agent. If Weaver is an A, for example, the Angels will get a first-round pick if he signs with a team that finishes with one of the 15 best records in 2006. If the signing team is in the bottom 15, the Angels would get a second-round pick. Teams that lose an A player also get a sandwich pick between Rounds One and Two.
The "lifetime" batting average is a bit of misnomer as if the numbers would be averaged over the person's whole life. It is more accurate to refer to it as a "career" batting average.
I know that Chone Figgins is penciled in as the starting third baseman, but he has been making lots of errors. Do you think Dallas McPherson has a chance to start at third?-- Israel O., La Habra, Calif.
McPherson definitely has a shot at the third baseman's job this season and has played well in the field so far this spring. The key for McPherson will be offense and health. He's showing signs of getting his timing back at the plate and his hip has not been slowing him down. If he improves his walk totals and regains his stroke to the point that he will add something to the lineup he will at least break with the club if not return to third.
I know Edgardo Alfonzo is playing for Venezuela in the WBC. If he plays well and shows that he has the ability to play every day what are the chances of him playing third base with the Angels? -- Roberto S., Zulia, Venezuela
Alfonzo will see time at both third base and second this season, but not as a starter. The Angels will use the veteran as a key reserve in the infield and also as a right-handed bat off the bench. Injuries, of course, would dictate changes and that could push Alfonzo into the lineup on a more regular basis. At this point, though, Alfonzo would slot behind both Figgins and McPherson at third base.

Source: http://anaheim.angels.mlb.com/