ANGELS : Liner Hits Langston, Who Escapes Injury

The ball screamed toward him and Mark Langston could only instinctively stick out his glove.

Only after Fred Manrique’s line drive had struck him on the right forearm before caroming to third baseman Gary Gaetti for the final out of the first inning did Langston have time to think--a thought the Angel left-hander expressed as a loud expletive when the pain set in.

“I threw it, he hit it and ‘bam!’ ” he said. “I knew right away it hit me in a good spot, on the meat of my arm.”

X-rays showed no damage. There was swelling and a large red welt on the inside of his arm, and Langston was back from Desert Samaritan Hospital in time for the bus ride to Yuma, Ariz., for today’s exhibition opener against the San Diego Padres. He expects to start Monday, as scheduled, against the Padres in Tempe.

“The only bummer part about it is that I was definitely ready to go at least two innings,” said Langston, who left after retiring the Blue team in order in the first inning of an intrasquad game. “I didn’t throw that many pitches (nine). I don’t anticipate any problems. It’s just a little sore. Otherwise, it’s fine.”

Langston’s early exit hastened Bert Blyleven’s spring debut by an inning. Forced to hurry his warmup for his first appearance since shoulder surgery last fall, Blyleven gave up two hits in his first inning and got into a jam when a bobble by Gary Gaetti loaded the bases. Blyleven escaped when Manager Doug Rader said that he had exceeded his 20-pitch limit and declared the inning over.

“Just when I had them where I wanted,” joked Blyleven, who pitched a creditable third inning to help the Grays defeat the Blues, 3-1.

The 39-year-old right-hander’s curveball isn’t sharp, but his pranks and spirit are in midseason form. His best pitch of the day, he said, was the “fastball” of shaving cream he smeared in Chuck Finley’s face while Finley was doing a television interview. Bunts against him by youngsters Gary DiSarcina and Ruben Amaro drew snarls: “That second one (by Amaro) was weak. He’s lucky he didn’t come up and face me again.”

Pleased as he was Thursday, Blyleven knows that facing teammates is easier than facing opponents. He will do that Sunday in a B game against the Padres in Yuma.

“I’m getting there. It was my first time on the mound and it felt good out there,” Blyleven said. “Once we start playing games I’ll have a better feel for where I am. . . . If I keep going at this rate, I should be (ready). That’s my goal. But it’s not my decision. It’s management’s decision. I just try to do the best I can with what I’ve got.”

Mike Fetters, who was to follow Finley in today’s game, pulled his right hamstring while running Thursday and will miss his turn. Matt Keough, who was to start today’s B game, will pitch instead in the A game. Ed Vosberg will pitch in the B game instead of being a reserve.

Among those who pitched well Thursday were right-handers Scott Lewis and Joe Grahe, the top candidates to step into the starting rotation if Blyleven isn’t ready to start the season.

“Both Joe and Jimmy Abbott (who gave up two runs in two innings) threw well,” Rader said. “They just didn’t locate well, and that’s to be expected the first time out in spring training.”

Grahe was satisfied with his outing.

“I had a little too much snap at times, but that’s a positive sign,” he said. “I got underneath a couple of cut fastballs, but it’s coming along. I’ve got to work on it to throw to lefties. I need something to complement my sinker and get it on lefties.”

Although Lewis is after Blyleven’s job, he said he’s rooting for Blyleven.

“I’d like to see him come back. He has 279 wins, only 21 away from 300. I’d like to see him get it,” said Lewis, who was 13-11 with triple-A Edmonton last season and 1-1 in two starts with the Angels.

Chris Cron drove in the Gray team’s first run with a double, continuing his solid spring play. Cron hit .287 for Edmonton last season and .301 for double-A Midland in 1989, but he plays first and third--positions at which the Angels are well stocked.

“It’s pretty well backed up, but you can’t let those kind of things bother you,” said Cron, who will be 27 in three weeks. “You put your numbers up and make them have to make a decision. I’d love to play for the Angels, but there’s other teams in the major leagues and I’d love to get up there with anybody.”