Stevens Discovers There’s First Time for Just About Everything : Angels: Edmonton outfielder makes most of his major league debut in place of the injured Wally Joyner at first base.

First anniversary.

First major league game.

First start.

At first base, naturally.

First base hit in his first at-bat.

First run batted in.

Lee Stevens just hopes it won’t be the last.

Stevens and his wife, Kim, went out for dinner Sunday night, in celebration of their wedding one year ago.

When they returned to the Portland hotel where the Angels’ triple-A Edmonton team was staying, they got good news--”a present,” Stevens said.

He had been called to Anaheim to replace Wally Joyner, who Monday was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a possible stress fracture of the right knee.

Stevens made his major league debut Monday night in the Angels’ 3-1 loss to Milwaukee at Anaheim Stadium, and he made a lasting impression. He went three for four with a double and an RBI.

He played first base admirably, though he spent much of his time playing the outfield for Edmonton, where he was batting .293 with 16 home runs and 31 doubles.

Stevens, a first-round draft choice in 1986, distinguished himself at the plate and in the field, in particular making a leaping, back-handed snag of a sharp liner over the bag by Dave Parker.

But for all his success, Stevens found himself in a position to disappoint, as well.

Stevens was tagged out at the plate in the sixth inning as he tried to score from second on Donnie Hill’s single to left. B.J. Surhoff, the Brewers’ catcher, blocked the plate well and the play was more Surhoff’s success than Stevens’ failure.

Stevens’ final at-bat came with two out in the eighth inning, with runners on first and second and the Angels trailing, 3-1.

The Brewers brought on left-hander Dan Plesac to face Stevens, a left-handed hitter. The move worked. Stevens struck out, swinging big.

After getting the word Sunday, Lee and Kim spent the first couple hours on the phone to parents and friends. They arrived in Anaheim around 1:30 in the afternoon, and when he arrived at Anaheim Stadium, Stevens learned he would start, even though all his equipment had not yet arrived.

Joyner, on the disabled list for the first time in his five-season major league career, lent his glove.

“I think I’m still in shock,” Stevens said after batting practice. “Obviously, I’m happy. I was very excited. I couldn’t wait to get here. I’m just going to try to stay on an even keel.”

In his first at-bat, Stevens worked the count full against Brewer starter Ron Robinson and then lined a single to right.

The souvenir ball was hustled into the Angel dugout, where pitcher Bert Blyleven, the team prankster, spent a very long time inscribing it.

He was still at it when Stevens got another first--first time caught stealing.

The next time Stevens came up, the game was still scoreless in the fourth inning. The Angels had runners on first and third after singles by Dave Winfield and Lance Parrish.

Stevens drove in the game’s first run with his second single of the night.

Later, with the score tied, 1-1, in the sixth inning, he nearly scored the go-ahead run. With two out, Stevens doubled off the wall in center. Hill singled, and Stevens tried to score. Surhoff tried to stop him, and did.

The Angels have found themselves in a pinch recently, with Joyner missing the last four games.

Bill Schroeder, their backup catcher, spelled Joyner the first day. On the second, Hill added first base to his list of positions played, which covers every infield spot but catcher. Rick Schu filled in on the third day, and Hill again on the fourth.