Angel Pitching Takes a Beating Again : Lugo Allows Eight Runs in Five Innings as Red Sox Take a 12-3 Win

Friday afternoon, the Angels announced the re-enlistment of their 39-year-old Gold Glove catcher, Bob Boone, reputed to be the finest handler of young pitchers in the sport.

Friday night, they demonstrated one more time why they need him.

For the fourth time in six games, the Angel pitching staff was strafed for 10 or more runs, this time by the Boston Red Sox in a 12-3 Angel defeat before 50,352 at Anaheim Stadium. One night after rookie Willie Fraser was pounded by Detroit in a 12-4 loss, second-year man Urbano Lugo was staggered for eight runs in five innings as the Angels lost for the sixth time in seven games.

The club’s losing streak stands at three games, and its record rests at 12-12. Since John Candelaria and Donnie Moore combined to shut out the Minnesota Twins, 1-0, on April 19, Angel pitchers have allowed 90 runs in 13 games--an average of seven a game.

And no one has been hit harder than Lugo (0-1), whose earned-run average hovers at 9.27 after five appearances.

After the latest shelling, Angel Manager Gene Mauch was asked if Lugo would receive another start. Mauch said he would.

“Here, or somewhere else?” one reporter asked.

Mauch wasn’t amused.

“One more of those and this (interview) is over with,” Mauch snapped. “Don’t be making jokes at my expense.”

Mauch, who has been preaching patience with the Angels’ young pitchers, was on the verge of losing his. He had said the first month of the season was no time to panic and that he was “still sorting things out in his mind” after Fraser’s rough go Thursday.

Lugo further scrambled the situation Friday. “This didn’t simplify things any,” Mauch admitted.

The Angels knew they were facing long odds before the first pitch, throwing Lugo against 1986 American League Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens. For one inning, they tinkered with the improbable--taking a quick 2-0 lead on a two-run home run by Wally Joyner--but then Lugo and the odds caved in.

In the top of the second inning, Boston’s Ellis Burks tied the game with a two-run double. Then, Wade Boggs delivered his first of two home runs, a three-run shot in the fourth inning. An inning later, Dwight Evans matched it with another three-run homer, and Lugo limped off in possession of an 8-2 deficit.

Gary Lucas came on to mop-up in the sixth inning, only to get cleaned up himself.

Lucas yielded Boggs’ second home run, a two-run drive over the right-field fence, and issued single runs in both the seventh and eighth innings.

Boggs did this despite a sore right shoulder, injured during a bench-clearing fight at Seattle Thursday night. “Not bad for a one-armed man,” Boggs said.

Of course, Angel pitching can heal the lame in a hurry. To say this staff is in disarray is putting it nicely.

Boone tried to say as much during his press conference at Anaheim Stadium.

“It’s been a little discouraging over the last few days, but I think talent is there,” Boone said. “My job is to get the maximum out of these pitchers. That’s one of my assets, helping whoever’s out there throwing the ball.

“But,” he added, “if the pitching is no good, I can be the smartest guy in the world and won’t be able to do a thing.”

Good thing Boone spent the evening with the Palm Springs pitching staff. Another night in Anaheim might have caused him to reconsider.

Lugo made it easy on Clemens (2-2), who limited the Angels to six hits and three runs over eight innings. After Joyner’s home run, Clemens held the Angels scoreless until the eighth, when Joyner singled, moved to third on a double by Doug DeCinces and scored on a groundout by Dick Schofield.

Clemens struck out eight and walked three before giving way to reliever Calvin Schiraldi, who pitched a perfect ninth inning.

Former Angel Don Baylor officially began the Boston onslaught by opening the second inning with a single. Evans followed with a walk, and Mike Greenwell drove a Lugo pitch deep into the gap in right-center. Only a sprinting, running catch by Angel right fielder Devon White kept the ball from clearing the bases.

Lugo then walked Glenn Hoffman to load the bases and, an out later, Burks delivered his two-run double, his first major league hit.

Burks, who was recalled from Pawtucket on Tuesday night, had another double and a single, going 3 for 3 with a walk.

Again, testimony to Angel pitching.

Is this any way to pay tribute to Bobby Grich, which the Angels did before Friday’s game?

Said Mauch: “Bobby Grich had a better night than we did, didn’t he?”

Angel Notes

The Angels honored retired second baseman Bobby Grich befopre Friday’s game, making him the charter inductee into the newly established Angel Hall of Fame and presenting him with gifts, trophies and accolades. Grich received telegrams from former President Richard Nixon, American League President Dr. Bobby Brown, Earl Weaver and Reggie Jackson, who told Grich: “I’ll be joining you in a year, so don’t take all the girls.” Among Grich’s gifts: second base, which was awarded him by Bobby Knoop; a diamond ring from owner Gene Autry; a personal computer; a set of luggage; golf clubs; a week’s vacation in London; and the ball he hit for his last Angel home run. “I Feel like I’m on ‘This Is Your Life’, Grich said. “This has been a very special night. It’s kind of hard to believe it’s here already though. The time has passed so quickly.”

Gene Mauch’s pitching staff won’t be intact until at least the All-Star break, but with Friday’s signing of Bob Boone, his catching staff will soon be back in order. “Plan A finally got into effect,” said Mauch, referring to catching tandem of Boone and Butch Wynegar. Or, as Mauch accidentally put it, “Wyne and Boonegar.” Mauch, who privately expressed disappointment with Boone and his decision not to re-sign with the Angels on Jan. 8, was in a good mood following the club’s new agreement with the 39-year-old catcher. “I think Bob Boone’s body is in better shape since he has been an Angel,” Mauch enthused. “I watched him hit the cage today and he was swinging great. Of course, that was off (third base coach) Moose Stubing. If we could get Moose to pitch for somebody, Boone would have some big days.” . . . In Boone’s debut with the Palm Springs Angels, he caught seven innings, went 1 for 3 with a double and threw out two of three potential base stealers. . . . Rich Gedman, another free-agent catcher who re-upped with his old team, will be in uniform tonight for the Red Sox and possibly in the starting lineup. The Red Sox, who have been playing Marc Sullivan (.163) and Danny Scheaffer (.179) in place of Gedman, couldn’t wait for May 1. . . . Tonight, Mike Witt (2-2) makes his first appearance against Boston since fateful Game 5 last October. Bob Stanley (2-3) will start for the Red Sox.