Lazorko Is No Match for Tigers : Angels’ Starter Gets an Early Shower in a 9-4 Defeat

The Angels adored Jack Lazorko when he pitched his way to a 7-0 minor league record earlier this season. They loved him when he later helped rescue a depleted starting staff, often lasting until the seventh, eighth, ninth innings. And they marveled at his tenacity, his nimble fielding. Good ol’ Lazorko, 31, and still doing what he could.

Of course, that was before Friday night’s 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers, the same team that released him after three appearances last season. The Tigers had seen enough of Lazorko, and Friday at Anaheim Stadium, they fondly remembered why.

Lazorko remained for only 33 pitches, long enough for the Tigers to score five runs in less than two full innings. His brief stay:

----Single by Lou Whitaker.

----A hit batsman (Bill Madlock).

----A towering home run to center field by Kirk Gibson.

----An out.

----Another home run, this time by rookie Matt Nokes.

----A walk to Darrell Evans.

----A forceout.

----An RBI double.

And finally, a walk to the showers.

Lazorko began the night involved in an interesting pitching gridlock. At stake was a supposed place in the rotation and possibly a place on the team. Kirk McCaskill, rested and eager to return from elbow surgery, announced himself more than available. Manager Gene Mauch had said earlier in the day that barring a change in plans, the Angels would begin the second half of the season with 10, not 11 pitchers. Among those placed precariously on the bubble was Lazorko.

Lazorko has lived with such scrutiny before. Just last Sunday, he arrived at the mound with a 1-4 record in need of an impressive performance. It seems Lazorko always must prove himself.

Lazorko lasted seven innings and allowed only two runs and four hits. He fielded his position as if he deserved a Gold Glove, or at least steady work as an infielder. His uniform, soiled and stained with red clay, was evidence enough of glove save after glove save.

Friday night was less fun. So short was Lazorko’s performance that Angel equipment men could have easily hanged his near-spotless uniform back in his locker. Glove saves? Not unless he stationed his mitt beyond the center- and right-field fences.

Lazorko wasn’t without company. Chuck Finley, who was summoned shortly after the start of the second inning, allowed four more runs, including a home run by Lemon.

The Angels had won 15 of their previous 18 games and had moved to within three games of the division-leading Minnesota Twins.

That bit of momentum came to at least a temporary halt as the Tigers scored their five runs in the first, two in the fourth and two more in the sixth.

Meanwhile, the Angels attempted a mild comeback in the second, good enough to cut Detroit’s lead to 5-3.

Jack Howell began the rally with a single to left and moved to third as Doug DeCinces followed with another single, this time up the middle. Butch Wynegar, who started in place of Bob Boone, grounded toward first, which allowed Howell to score and DeCinces to move to second.

Dick Schofield walked and advanced to second on single by Gary Pettis. DeCinces went as far as third and then scored on Mark McLemore’s sacrifice fly to left. Moments later, Brian Downing knocked in Schofield with a single to left.

Downing’s hit ended Tiger starter Dan Petry’s night. He was replaced by Eric King, who held the Angels scoreless until Wally Joyner’s solo home run in the eighth inning. It was Joyner’s 20th homer and his 72nd RBI.

The Angels went quietly in the ninth, prompting Mauch to leave quickly at game’s end. “I’m going to go home and try to forget about it as fast as I can,” he said.

Angel Notes Reliever Donnie Moore is suffering once more from stiffness in his rib area, an apparent by-product of his appearance in Wednesday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox. During his 1 innings, Moore allowed four hits, one walk and one earned run. “He told us he was fine after he pitched,” said Angel trainer Ned Bergert. ‘(‘Thursday) he said (his ribs) were starting to bother him again, when he was stretching.” The tightness prevented Moore from pitching Friday night and his availability for the remainder of the weekend appears questionable. “He’s having problems with that side again,” Angel pitching coach Marcel Lachemann said. “It’s something we can’t seem to get rid of. We’ve got to go back to the medical people again. They’re kind of in a quandary; they’ve done so many things.” If Moore’s injury persists, the Angels conceivably could return him to the disabled list, enabling Kirk McCaskill to be activated. McCaskill met with Lachemann before Friday’s game, though the Angels declined to comment on their plans. “When there’s a roster change, we’ll announce it,” Angel Manager Gene Mauch said. At the moment, McCaskill is scheduled to start against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium July 16. . . . Regardless of Moore and McCaskill’s fate, Mauch said the Angels will not keep 11 pitchers. “I wouldn’t say that it didn’t enter my mind, but I’m certain it won’t happen.” There had been speculation that Mauch might leave 11 pitchers on the roster because of an upcoming 15-day, 13-game road trip. . . . Jerry Reuss makes his fifth start today, a start which could influence how much Mauch reshapes his pitching staff. Reuss, though, said he placed no special emphasis on the game. “It’s not any more important than the other five starts.”