Angels Roll, Zahn Fizzles; He’ll Miss at Least One Start

A bitter wind plunged the Friday night temperature here into the low 40s.

Inside the heated Kingdome, the storm continued for the already numbed Mariners.

The Angels built a 7-1 lead after three innings and coasted to an 11-3 victory.

The floundering Mariners have lost six in a row and 10 of their last 11 games, a span in which they have been outscored, 81-31.

The Angels are back in undisputed possession of first place in the American League West with a 10- 7 record, but there was a sobering aspect to a win that would otherwise have been called a laugher.

Geoff Zahn, still burdened by tendinitis in his left shoulder, could pitch only two innings.

He yielded a first-inning run and a total of four hits.

Not even the prospect of an easy win, which would have been his third without defeat and his 27th in 32 career decisions in April, could keep Zahn around for the five innings needed to qualify for the victory.

Zahn will definitely miss his next turn, which is scheduled for Wednesday night at Anaheim against Toronto. He may go on the 15-day disabled list. The Angels can wait five days before making the move retroactive to Friday night. In that case he would miss only two starts, providing he was ready to return on May 18.

It is almost certain that Ken Forsch will replace Zahn as next Wednesday’s starter. Forsch pitched five innings of a simulated game without pain Friday night and is expected to come off the disabled list Wednesday.

Zahn, who received a cortisone shot Monday after complaining of soreness in his 9-2 victory over the Mariners last Sunday, said that rest now seemed his only option.

“I don’t think it’s as bad it was after my last start,” he said, “but there’s no way I can pitch the rest of the season the way it is.

“I have to try and get it better. I have to try and get it 100%. I’ve been through it before but I can’t tell you how long it will take.

“The thing is,” he continued, “I wouldn’t have known if the injection had been successful until I tried it tonight. I talked with Dr. (Lewis) Yocum, and he said there wasn’t a risk as long as I was going to rest it after this start anyway.

“It was a little uncomfortable warming up and it got worse when I got to the mound. I hope I got out of there before anything serious happened.”

Said Manager Gene Mauch:

“Geoff showed concern, and when he shows concern I’m concerned. He was tentative about throwing his slider in on right-handed hitters and he went so far as to say he was a little worried about all of his pitches.

“He’s tried everything except rest and that’s now what we’ll have to give him. Maybe it will be the answer. It better be the answer.”

Zahn’s premature departure resulted in an unusually early call for Doug Corbett, who gave up only one hit in three innings to earn the victory.

Stu Cliburn, a 28-year-old right-hander recalled with pitcher Rafael Lugo from Edmonton Wednesday, made his second big league appearance in the sixth and restricted the Mariners to three hits over the final four innings. Cliburn gave up a two-run single to Donnie Scott in the eighth but struck out four in an impressive performance considering he hadn’t pitched in 10 days.

The Angels collected 15 hits, including a home run and double by Juan Beniquez, who drove in three runs; a pair of doubles by Rod Carew, who also drove in three; a two-run double and single by the suddenly productive Dick Schofield, and a double and single by Bobby Grich, now batting .404.

Seattle starter Jim Beattie faced only 11 batters, which is the same number he faced when he started and lost to the Angels Sunday in Anaheim.

He yielded five hits and six runs in two innings of that game, ultimately leaving after a Carew double. He yielded four hits and five runs in 1 innings of this game, ultimately leaving after Carew’s RBI double in a five-run second inning.

Gary Pettis set the tone when he opened the game with a walk and promptly stole second.

Designated hitter Ruppert Jones, who has nine hits and seven RBIs, scored Pettis with a one out double.

Beattie limited the damage to the one run as he forced the Angels to strand a pair of runners, but he wasn’t as fortunate in the second.

A walk and single by Grich set the stage for Schofield’s two-run double to deep center. The shortstop now has 10 RBIs, a total he didn’t reach as a rookie until June of last year.

Carew then chased Beattie with his RBI double, bringing in left-hander Dave Geisel and bringing up right-handed hitting Beniquez to bat for Jones as Mauch played the percentages.

Beniquez made him a winner by rocketing a two-run homer to left, his third of the season extending the Angels lead to 6-1.

By this time, of course, the game was already history. So are the Mariners, it would seem.

Angel Notes

Ken Forsch cleared what is expected to be his last hurdle before coming off the disabled list Friday, throwing a pain free 90 pitches in a five-inning simulated game. “I feel confident,” he said. “I wouldn’t hesitate to start. They may want to use me in relief a couple times first but that doesn’t matter to me. I just want to come off the list.” . . . Said Manager Gene Mauch: “He’s ready. His stuff was good. I wouldn’t worry about sending him out with the stuff he had today.” . . . Forsch said he did not know what the next step was but it appears he will come off the disabled list Wednesday and may start against Toronto that night. “It hasn’t been pinpointed yet as to when he will start,” General Manager Mike Port said, “but were still on the track of having him available May 1.” . . . A battery of tests performed at Centinela Medical Center Hospital substantiated that Luis Sanchez, who went on the disabled list with a lingering neck problem Wednesday, has a nerve irritation requiring medication and exercise . . . Daryl Sconiers, who continues to work out at Anaheim Stadium following completion of treatment for chemical abuse, is expected to be sent to a minor league club on rehabilitation assignment early next week. . . . Seattle catcher Dave Valle, who bruised his left thigh in a ninth inning collision with Bob Boone Thursday night, was put on the 15-day disabled list and replaced by Donnie Scott, recalled from Calgary. . . . Jim Slaton (2-0) faces Matt Young (1-2) tonight.