Petry Doesn’t Get the Win but Gives the Angels Plenty to Be Happy About

As happy endings go, Cookie Rojas could think of little wrong with the Angels’ 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox Wednesday evening.

A baseball, presented by reliever Donnie Moore, sat on Rojas’ office desk, a memento of his first win as Angel manager. He had made all the right moves this night: the right relievers, the right pinch-hitter. And now he had a baseball and a precious first victory to show for it.

But one thing troubled him: starter Dan Petry.

“I wish to hell we could have gotten him that win,” Rojas said. “The way he pitched, he deserved it. He’s going to win a lot of games for this club. He can mean a lot to this ballclub with all the kids that are here.”

Rojas had reason to gush. Petry pitched six-plus innings Wednesday night, allowing just four hits, one walk and not a single run in 81 pitches. He did this in the chill of Comiskey Park, surrounded by swirling, howling winds and an assortment of doubters.

After all, this was the same Dan Petry who had left spring training with an earned-run average laden with runs--9.50, to be exact--and four losses in four starts. Ordinary losses they weren’t: 7-1, 10-1, 11-0.

After each appearance, Petry, who was sidelined for two weeks because of a back injury, would politely explain that he could offer no excuses. His back felt fine. His shoulder felt well. The only thing he lacked were those two weeks of spring training.

But then came a final spring appearance, this time against the Dodgers in the Freeway Series. Petry allowed three runs in five innings, but no one seemed to mind--especially Rojas.

“The last time he pitched against the Dodgers, I had no doubt that his pitches were back,” Rojas said.

So they are. Petry allowed just one single in the first five innings against the White Sox. He hit Kenny Williams with a pitch in the third.

It wasn’t until the seventh inning, when Petry allowed two consecutive singles, that Rojas called for reliever DeWayne Buice.

“(Petry) kind of felt a little tired,” Rojas said.

The White Sox would later tie the Angels, preventing Petry from gaining his first win since Aug. 9. Petry didn’t seem to mind.

“I still think I was throwing pretty good,” Petry said. “But I think (Rojas) made the right decision. I gave up the first two hits, so you’ve got to make a move.”

Petry is like that: team-oriented, not overly concerned with his own doings. “I’m just happy we won. That’s the big thing,” he said.

Maybe so, but he also was happy he did his part, which these days means racking up some innings.

“I felt good,” he said. “Outside of my back, I felt good all spring. I have a long way to go. I’d like to pitch another 230 innings and feel this good.

“One game doesn’t prove anything. The old guy used to go 240, 250 innings. That’s what I’d like to do.”

As for the spring experience, Petry said it was virtually meaningless. He pitched erratically, to be sure. But he also prepared himself for when it matters most, such as in the regular season.

“Spring’s over,” he said. “Spring doesn’t have anything to do with it. It doesn’t matter what the hell goes on in spring.”

But it does in a way. Petry admitted that much, saying, “I was just always trying to catch up, that’s all. I missed a lot of important time.”

Shortly after Rojas was named Angel interim manager, he and Petry talked. Petry, said Rojas, was frustrated by his lack of time on the mound. The Angels weren’t exactly thrilled by it, either. Rojas, in one of his more important decisions, counseled patience.

“I said, ‘Danny, take it easy,’ ” Rojas said. “I said, ‘Take your time. I know you’re going to pitch for this team.’ But he was upset that he wasn’t pitching. You couldn’t blame him. You want to be part of the game.”

He’s part of it, all right. For this, the Angels and Rojas thank him.