Change of Scenery Helps McLemore End Slump

Some people, when they’re looking for inspiration, like to move around, get a change of scenery, rearrange the furniture.

Other people don’t adhere to that theory. They prefer to stay where they are, waiting out the lows and hoping for the highs.

Angel second baseman Mark McLemore falls into the latter category. He liked where he was, in the team’s leadoff position, just fine.

But Manager Cookie Rojas thought a little rearranging might be good idea. After all, three days ago, McLemore was in the depths of a 10-for-62 slump, batting .226. Not exactly what you want from your leadoff hitter.

So, against McLemore’s wishes, he got a change of scenery.

And, so far, the view has been pretty good.

Monday, in the Angels’ 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians, McLemore, batting in the seventh spot, went 3 for 3 and scored the game-winning run.

“I was disappointed (by the move) but I knew I wasn’t getting the job done,” McLemore said. “Cookie (Rojas) made the change to shake something up.”

Rojas made the switch Saturday, replacing McLemore with designated hitter Brian Downing in the leadoff spot in the Angels’ game against Toronto.

Since then, McLemore has batted in three spots. Saturday, he dropped to the second place in the order and went 1 for 4. Sunday, he hit eighth and went 2 for 4.

But seven seems to be McLemore’s lucky spot.

Monday, he barely got on base in the second, beating pitcher John Farrell to the bag. McLemore singled to center in the fourth inning.

Then in the seventh, he singled to center again, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bob Boone and to third on Dick Schofield’s fly ball. McLemore scored on Downing’s single to left, giving the Angels a 2-0 lead.

That was exactly the kind of play Rojas had been hoping for when he made the move.

“(McLemore) gives us a lot of speed in the bottom of the lineup,” Rojas said. “And with Downing leading off, he’ll drive in a lot of runs.”

According to Rojas, McLemore had been too impatient, swinging at bad pitches and hitting too many fly balls.

“I wanted him to see the pitcher for one or two innings before (coming to bat),” Rojas said. “I wanted to make him more patient and hit the ball on the ground.”

McLemore concedes that he wasn’t playing his best.

“I was pulling my body out, pulling my head,” he said. “I was hitting the ball right at people. I just got away from doing the things I should have done.”

McLemore’s big night came against a team that is quickly becoming one of his favorites.

Last season, against Cleveland, McLemore averaged .355, had nine RBIs and stole five bases in five attempts.

“I haven’t the foggiest idea why, but Cleveland seems to be my team,” McLemore said. “It’s nothing personal. I don’t say ‘Oh, well, Cleveland’s coming to town.’ ”

McLemore isn’t concentrating on who the opposition is. He’s concentrating on getting back to his old stomping ground.

“I’m glad to be in the lineup and contributing,” McLemore said. “Maybe I’ll work my way back to leadoff.”