Angels : Krawczyk Just Might Make a Spot for Himself on Staff

For the Ray Krawczyks of the world, there is often just one chance.

And then, if you succeed, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to fail.

Krawczyk is 28, a right-handed pitcher with 165 days of major league service. The Angels signed him as a minor league free agent three days before Christmas. Back in Mesa, Ariz., where there were lots of new kids on the block, Krawczyk was the newest.

“We’re going to take the 10 best pitchers out of camp,” pitching coach Marcel Lachemann said. “Whether they’re roster players or non-roster players shouldn’t make a difference.

“But not everybody gets an equal look. Some might get one chance. If they impress, you keep giving them innings. And if they keep getting guys out, they throw the monkey back on our backs.”

Lachemann and Manager Gene Mauch better hang onto their hats. Krawczyk may still be a long shot to make the Angels’ roster, but he keeps closing the odds.

His two-inning stint during Monday’s 5-4 exhibition victory over Oakland did nothing to hurt his chances.

Krawczyk walked Terry Steinbach to open the sixth inning, but then waltzed through the Athletics’ version of Murderers’ Row, striking out Jose Canseco, Carney Lansford and Mark McGwire. He walked off to a standing ovation from many of the 3,740 fans in Angels Stadium.

“That was nice. That felt good,” Krawczyk said. “That’s the first time that’s happened in a long time.”

In the seventh, he again yielded a leadoff walk--to Don Baylor--before fanning Dave Henderson and Mike Gallego. Rookie Walt Weiss grounded a single to right, and then Mark McLemore bobbled Stan Javier’s bouncer and the bases were loaded. Steinbach lined to left to end the inning.

“I had a good forkball going, and I’ve pitched against McGwire and Canseco in the minors,” Krawczyk said. “I feel good about the way I’ve pitched this spring. I think I’ve done what I wanted to do--prove I could help this team.”

Krawczyk, who played at Bolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove and Golden West College and lives in Laguna Niguel, called the Angels and asked for a tryout after he was released by Pittsburgh. He has made 6 appearances and allowed 1 run in 7 innings with 10 strikeouts and 3 saves.

“He grabbed my attention working out at Anaheim before we came out this spring,” Lachemann said. “Gene was impressed with what he saw in batting practice before we started playing. He’s a definite candidate to make the team. He’s obviously given us reason to think he can pitch.”

Krawczyk’s major league record is 0-2 and his earned-run average is 9.88. He pitched in 12 big league games for the Pirates in 1984 and ’85. He had 20 saves with Hawaii in 1985 and was 11-6 as a starter with Hawaii last year.

“Sometimes in the spring, it’s tough to face the quality hitters in the late innings,” Lachemann said. “That’s why we put him in when we did, with those people still in there. He did a great job with them.”

Even if he doesn’t make the opening-day roster, Krawczyk thinks he can go to the minors happy.

“I’d be satisfied with going to Edmonton,” he said. “Just so they know I can help this team--midseason, at the end of the season, next season, whenever.”

The Angel bullpen looks deep on paper, but there may be a spot for Krawczyk sooner or later. Donnie Moore’s sore elbow requires days of rest between outings, Greg Minton’s sore elbow won’t allow him to throw more than 60 m.p.h., and DeWayne Buice is struggling.

Buice pitched the ninth inning Monday and got the save, but he gave up 4 hits and 2 runs.