American League Playoffs Notebook : McNamara Says Clemens to Pitch With 3 Days’ Rest

Boston Red Sox Manager John McNamara confirmed to reporters Thursday what he and Roger Clemens have known for days--that Clemens, not Al Nipper will start Game 4 of the American League championship series.

The announcement wasn’t much of a surprise, certainly not to Clemens, who was informed of McNamara’s intentions shortly after the Red Sox discovered Tom Seaver will be unable to pitch in the series. Nipper was considered an option, but McNamara chose Clemens.

Clemens, told by McNamara not to repeat their earlier conversation until an official announcement, was beaten, 8-1, by the Angels in Game 1 Tuesday night. He allowed 7 earned runs and 10 hits while throwing 143 pitches in 7 innings.

“I’ve been in a lot of pressure-packed games before, and that was one of them,” Clemens said. “But it didn’t take a lot out of me. I feel strong. I’m going to do the best I can, throw as many innings as I can to keep us in the ballgame. I’m anxious to go out and not really redeem myself, but to pick the team up because I did lose the opener.”

Asked why he chose Clemens instead of the more-rested Nipper, McNamara said: “Because I think you ought to have your best pitcher available.

“He’s the best we have, and that’s the way it’s been done all along since I’ve been in baseball.”

Is Clemens suffering any difficulties from an earlier line drive that caromed off his right elbow?

“There’s nothing wrong physically with Roger Clemens,” McNamara said.

Angel Manager Gene Mauch said he half-expected Clemens to start Saturday’s game at Anaheim Stadium, scheduled to begin at 5:25 p.m., just as the late-afternoon shadows make an appearance.

“When did he last pitch? Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. My reaction is not one of surprise,” Mauch said. “He’s a big, strong kid. One-hundred-and-forty-three pitches shouldn’t bother a guy that young and strong.”

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have yet to announce their pitcher for Game 5 Sunday afternoon at Anaheim Stadium. “It depends on what happens (tonight) and Saturday,” McNamara said.

As for Nipper, McNamara said he will be used in a long relief role if they choose not to start him. Has he explained the situation to Nipper?

“I don’t have to talk to Nipper,” he said. “I will, but I don’t have to.”

The Angels and the Red Sox had brief workouts Thursday afternoon at Anaheim Stadium. They found a field that still shows signs of last Sunday’s Rams-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.

“You can tell they were here,” Angel third baseman Doug DeCinces said. According to DeCinces, groundskeepers have replaced turf near third base and have also allowed the infield grass to grow.

Said Mauch: “I was out there. It’s all right.”

Mauch was in a good mood Thursday, despite memories of Wednesday’s strange, error-filled 9-2 loss to the Red Sox.

“We’re confident,” he said. “If someone had told me a week ago that we’d be coming back here 1-1, I’d have signed a contract right away.”

Other Thursday events included a brief meeting between Bobby Grich and third base coach Moose Stubing. Grich and Stubing were involved in perhaps the most bizarre play of Game 2. While rounding third base in the sixth inning, Grich received verbal instructions rather than hand signals from Stubing. Grich was later tagged out, triggering an angry response from the veteran second baseman.

Thursday, Stubing, who met with Grich outside the batting cage for several minutes, said the incident “is forgotten”

Said Grich: “We just discussed it.”

John Candelaria will start for the Angels tonight against Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd. In an afternoon press conference, Candelaria offered these comments:

--On the series: “I’d like the team to win three here, but I don’t see that. I see us going back to Boston.”

--On the Houston Astros’ Mike Scott tying Candelaria’s NL championship series one-game strikeout record (14): “I haven’t seen Mike really pitch this year. I’ve heard stories; how true they are, I don’t know. I’d just like to play either Houston or New York in the (World) Series and I’d like to see it first hand. I wish he would have broken (the record).”

--On Boyd: “Oil Can is a good pitcher when he has his head on right. I’m sure it will be on right tomorrow. I can understand it. Sometimes I go to pitch and I haven’t been all the way ready.”

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

ANGELS vs. RED SOX

RESULTS

Game 1 Angels 8, Red Sox 1 Game 2 Red Sox 9, Angels 2

SCHEDULE

DATE SITE TIME Game 3 Tonight Anaheim 5:25 p.m. Game 4 Saturday Anaheim 5:25 p.m. Game 5 Sunday Anaheim Noon Game 6* Tuesday Boston 5:25 p.m. Game 7* Wednesday Boston 5:25 p.m.

* If necessary.

ALSO Tonight’s starting pitchers: John Candelaria (10-2) vs. Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd (16-10).