Abbott Gets More Than Just a Win : Angel Rookie Also Learns Lesson in How to Respond to Lapse

Most of the hoopla surrounding Jim Abbott’s starts has subsided, but there are still times when one is reminded that this is only a 21-year-old rookie out there.

Take the third inning of a scoreless game between the Angels and the Minnesota Twins Saturday.

With Al Newman on first base and two out, Greg Gagne grounded to first and was called safe on a close play as Abbott took the throw from Wally Joyner. Abbott stopped to argue with first-base umpire Tim Tschida, and Newman took the opportunity to sprint from second to third.

Abbott was visibly upset--more with himself than with Tschida--but he regained his composure and proved that a fastball in the mid-90s sometimes can make up for a rookie mistake.

Abbott blew a high, hard one past Kirby Puckett for a strikeout that extracted him from the jam, and the Angels were on their way to a 4-1 victory before a crowd of 29,797 at Anaheim Stadium.

“He was as upset as I’ve ever seen him for letting the guy get to third,” catcher Lance Parrish said. “And if there’s any batter you can stand to be a little extra fired up for it’s Kirby. He threw a high fastball right by him.”

Abbott, who said he doesn’t pitch well when he’s angry, credited Parrish and pitching coach Marcel Lachemann for coming out to the mound and giving him a chance to settle down before going head-to-head with the league’s leading hitter.

“That was inexcusable, and I was really upset with myself,” Abbott said. “Fortunately, I got a chance to take a couple of deep breaths, and it worked itself out.

“I struggled a little bit today. I gave up too many hits, but they were all singles and not too damaging. Until I get a good third pitch, the good hitters are going to be able to fight off fastballs and hard sliders and get some hits.”

If Abbott becomes proficient with another pitch, opposing batters might start getting a lot of mysterious hamstring pulls when he’s scheduled to pitch. And the Angels might start getting their fingers sized for championship rings.

As it is, they are 1 1/2 games ahead of Oakland in the American League West and assured of being in first place at the All-Star break. The Angels are 18 games above .500 for the first time this season, and Abbott has contributed to that success.

He went 6 1/3 innings, allowed nine hits and struck out seven en route to his eighth victory of the season.

“There are a lot of things for Jim to learn,” Manager Doug Rader said, “and we never thought otherwise. But his capacity to learn and his resiliency after making mistakes are the reasons he’s here . . . other than being blessed with a great left arm.”

Rader admits that Abbott has exceeded even his expectations. By the end of spring training, Rader was convinced that the pitcher had a big league arm and a presence that belied his youth. But he didn’t realize Abbott would learn his trade so well . . . and so quickly.

“His progress has been greater than I expected,” Rader said. “For him to have an earned-run average like that (3.55) suggests three things: One, he’s not walking many people. Two, he’s keeping the ball in the ballyard. And three, he’s got enough poise that when he does get into a difficult situation, he can regain control and not surrender a lot of runs.”

Abbott has struck out 58 while walking 36 in 93 2/3 innings. He has given up just seven home runs. And Saturday, every out he recorded was either a strikeout or on a ground ball. He worked his way out of jams in the first and third innings, but after the Twins got three singles and a run in the seventh, Rader brought in Greg Minton.

Minton, who was activated Saturday after 15 days on the disabled list with a strained elbow, didn’t have to put a lot of stress on his flexor tendon in the seventh. He got pinch-hitter Randy Bush to hit into an inning-ending double play with his first delivery.

Minton yielded a single in the eighth before giving way to Brian Harvey, who picked up his 12th save by working a hitless ninth.

“It’s nice to see the starter do his job, the setup guy get out of a tough spot and the stopper do his part,” Rader said. “We got the pitching we needed and just enough offense.”

The Angels scored twice off Minnesota starter Roy Smith in the fifth when Chili Davis singled and Parrish hit his second home run in as many games, a towering fly ball into the left-field seats.

“I’ve been working awfully hard the last week with D.J. (hitting instructor Deron Johnson),” said Parrish, who has five hits in his last nine at-bats. “I’ve been trying to go the other way, stay back and use my hands more. It’s nice to see it falling into place. Hopefully, I can stay consistent for a while.”

The Angels added solo runs in the sixth and seventh. Johnny Ray walked, took third on Devon White’s single and scored on Wally Joyner’s warning-track sacrifice fly to right field in the sixth. Jack Howell walked, took second on Dick Schofield’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Ray’s double to left in the seventh.

It wasn’t the kind of offensive barrage that the Angels unleashed on Twin pitching during the series in Minnesota, when they scored 23 runs in the first three games, but it was enough for Abbott & Co.

The Angel rookie got a visit from legendary left-hander Warren Spahn, who introduced himself and then said, “You’re my idol.” Talk about role-reversal. Abbott said he didn’t know how to respond.

“I think I need a few more wins to catch up to him,” Abbott said.

Eight down and 355 to go.

Angel Notes

Angel General Manager Mike Port and Manager Doug Rader both think that Brian Downing should have made the All-Star team, but Downing can think of plenty of reasons why he was left off, despite his .307 batting average, eight home runs and 31 RBIs. “It’s really tough to make it as a designated hitter unless you do something really big in run-production numbers,” he said. “I haven’t hit that many home runs this season and I spent some time leading off, so I haven’t driven in that many runs. And you can’t pick a bunch of DHs. There are only two spots left after you take 10 pitchers and eight position players and their backups.” Downing admited that he would “love to be there” but said he never expected to make the team. “I’ve been consistent, but I haven’t really had an All-Star year,” he said. “And nothing can take away from the way I’ve hit this year.”

The Angels placed Claudell Washington on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 1, and activated reliever Greg Minton Saturday. Washington, who is still battling a shin infection, will be eligible to come off the DL on July 16, which means the Angels will have just three outfielders for four games after the All-Star break. Shortstop Kent Anderson or third baseman Jack Howell would probably be pressed into duty if necessary. . . . Catcher Lance Parrish, on the one-year contract extension Rader received Saturday: “I think it’s a great move. Everyone on this team likes him and likes playing for him. He’s got all the necessary things to keep this club going.”

* DOUG RADER

Angel manager is given a one-year contract extension. Story, Page 8.

* (Orange County Edition) MINTON RETURNS

Greg Minton gives the Angels welcome relief. Story, Page 8.