Angels Sign Ex-Giant Pitcher Minton

In their search for pitching, the Angels signed 35-year-old reliever Greg Minton to a one-year contract, and he got the final two outs of the eighth inning during a 3-2 loss to the Yankees Tuesday night.

Minton was released by the San Francisco Giants last Thursday but did not clear waivers until Tuesday. He will still be paid the bulk of his annual $750,000 salary by San Francisco.

Minton saved 19 games for the Giants as recently as 1984 but just 10 during the last two-plus seasons. He was 1-0 with a save and a 3.47 earned-run average in 15 appearances this season.

Minton spent 10 years with the Giants, saving 21 games in 1981, 30 in 1982 and 22 in 1983. he holds the major league record for consecutive innings pitched without allowing a home run--269, from September 1978 to May 1982.

To make room on the roster for Minton, the Angels optioned rookie pitcher Bryan Harvey to Midland of the Texas League.