Downing’s Grip on A’s Continues : Angel DH’s Compensation Nets Him Better Production

Brian Downing hurt his hand about a month ago. He’s not sure how, but he’s sure glad he did.

Downing first noticed his left hand was sore during the last few days of spring training. He slightly altered his grip and swing to ease the discomfort and . . . presto! All of a sudden, he’s doing a great Hank Aaron imitation.

The senior Angel came into Monday night’s game against Oakland tied for the American League lead in home runs with five, tied for third in RBIs (12) and third in slugging percentage (.778). And don’t forget the .365 batting average.

He came out of the game in even better shape after getting two singles, a triple, one RBI and one run scored. He leads the club with eight multiple-hit games and 10 of his 18 hits have been for extra bases.

“The hand hasn’t bothered me at all in the last couple of days,” Downing said, “but I’m still not rolling my hands over at the time of impact like I used to. The result is I’m swinging like you swing an axe at a tree, which is the way you’re supposed to do it.

“In the past, I’ve lunged at the ball more and muscled it. Now, I’m getting the ball in the air more.”

When Manager Gene Mauch brought the team’s all-time RBI leader in from left field and made him the designated hitter this season, he couldn’t have known Downing, 36, would take his new role so literally.

But Mauch isn’t surprised to see Downing fare this well against the A’s. But then, neither are the A’s.

Downing’s first hit against Oakland this season was a home run (off Dave Stewart) and his second was also a homer (off Jay Howell). His first hit against the A’s last season was a homer, too.

When it comes to Oakland pitching, he doesn’t just start hot, he stays hot. He’s had more success against the A’s than any team in baseball. He has 23 homers and 81 RBIs against Oakland, both personal bests.

“I can’t really explain it,” Downing said. “I like to hit in their park. It’s one of my favorites. But those things can turn around real quickly.”

He began Monday night with a leadoff single to right off Stewart. A hit, a walk and then a sacrifice fly by Wally Joyner brought Downing around to score.

In the second, Downing had a two-out triple to left off Stewart but was stranded when Ruppert Jones flied out.

Downing came through again in the fourth with Gary Pettis on third and one out. He got the green light on a 3-0 delivery from Stewart but swung and missed. He took a strike. Then he lined a shot foul down the third-base line that nearly hit Pettis before blooping a single to left that brought the Angels’ center fielder home.

“To be perfectly honest, I got lucky a couple of times tonight. . . on the fly-ball single down the line in the first and the bloop in the fourth,” Downing said, “but I’ve never turned down any luck.”