Langston Has Turn for Better in 8-1 Victory

For one night, at least, Mark Langston held at bay the demons that have turned his season into a nightmare.

Pitching three days after one of his many disappointing outings, Langston earned his first complete-game victory of the season, giving up only four hits as the Angels beat the New York Yankees, 8-1, Wednesday at Anaheim Stadium.

Langston (6-15) struck out 11 and walked four--all four in the fourth inning--to earn his first victory at home since April 11, when he and Mike Witt combined for a no-hitter and a 1-0 decision over the Seattle Mariners. It was also his first complete-game triumph since Sept. 17, when he and the Montreal Expos defeated the New York Mets, 1-0.

The 29,845 fans gave him a rousing ovation at the end of the game, a reception Langston appreciated.

“I pitched so terrible they’ve had nothing to cheer about. . . . I don’t blame them for getting on me. It felt good to have them cheer for me in the ninth inning,” said Langston, who efficiently completed the game in 127 pitches.

Langston had lost 10 of his previous 11 starts and had allowed 29 earned runs over 20 innings in his last five games. But Wednesday against the Yankees, who provided his second victory of the season on April 29, Langston was exceptional. He faltered only in the fourth and reached double figures in strikeouts for the 37th time in his career and second against the Yankees.

Brian Downing hit a three-run home run in the sixth and Chili Davis and former Yankee Dave Winfield each drove in two runs to help the Angels end their longest home stand of the season with a 7-6 record. The Yankees lost for the sixth consecutive time.

Downing’s batting average rose to .307. In 25 plate appearances over six games through Wednesday, he has reached base 20 times, six times on walks and 14 times on hits.

“It certainly won’t make up for the rest of the year, but it would certainly help Mark get some momentum to come back next year and be the winner he’s always been,” Downing said.

The Angels gave Langston a 5-0 lead to work with after three innings, only the second time they had scored five runs for him in a home game. He gave one run back in the fourth on four walks, but didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning.

By contrast, Dave LaPoint (6-9) was hit early and often by the Angels. Downing led off the first with a single to left and was able to take third when third baseman Jim Leyritz let Donnie Hill’s roller bounce between his legs. Hill took second on the play. After Chili Davis struck out, Dave Winfield grounded to short, scoring Downing.

The Angels added four runs in the third on three hits. Dick Schofield led off with a walk and stole second. He moved to third on Downing’s single to right and held when Hill walked. Davis hit a double down the left-field line, scoring Schofield and Downing, and Winfield sent Hill and Davis home with a single to left.

Angel Notes

Reliever Greg Minton, who underwent elbow surgery on April 25 and was sidelined until July 6--only to experience more arm problems--will pitch a simulated game Friday at Boston. He doesn’t expect to be activated until rosters expand on Sept. 1. “When I came back at the All-Star break I was busting it because I wanted to come back and help the team. Now I’m taking it slow,” he said. “I’m fighting for a career. . . . I’m just trying to prove to myself and the Angels and the rest of the league that I can do it and maybe there’ll be a job for me next year.”

Infielder Mark McLemore expects to discover the Angels’ plans for him today. Those plans may have changed Wednesday when Kent Anderson left after 2 1/2 innings because of a strained right hamstring. Anderson’s status is day to day. “I have no idea what’s going on,” said McLemore, who had a six-game rehabilitation stint with Class-A Palm Springs after recovering from wrist problems. He can’t be optioned to Edmonton without clearing waivers.

Bert Blyleven, whose next start has been postponed until Tuesday in Detroit, threw Wednesday and had the weakness expected with a strained shoulder. Kirk McCaskill, who received a cortisone injection Tuesday, won’t do his usual work between starts but is expected to ready to pitch Saturday in Boston. . . . Jim Abbott’s rash was diagnosed as shingles and he is being treated with medication. . . . Luis Polonia, who hit an inside-the-park grand slam Tuesday, wasn’t in Wednesday’s lineup. He was consoled by hitting instructor Deron Johnson, who told him the Red Sox and White Sox plan to start plenty of right-handers against the Angels on the upcoming trip. . . . Infielder Donnie Hill joined the ranks of players who consider the field at Anaheim Stadium sub-standard. “The other day at second I made sparks on the cement (beneath the dirt),” he said. “There are holes all over the place.”

General Manager Mike Port closed the clubhouse to reporters after batting practice until after the game, contradicting major league baseball’s media access policy. He wouldn’t say how long the ban will last.