ANGELS : For Pitcher Lewis, Being Fifth Is First Priority

Scott Lewis might have let his frustration with a tight strike zone unnerve him. No one would have blamed him if he had succumbed to his anxiety about becoming the Angels’ fifth starting pitcher.

Given every chance to fall apart Tuesday, Lewis kept his poise and seized an even firmer grip on the job.

Nominally, Lewis is still competing against Joe Grahe for the spot opened by Bert Blyleven’s slow recovery from shoulder surgery. But by pitching six strong innings in his second exhibition start--opportunities not afforded Grahe--Lewis almost certainly got the job.

“I’m anxious for this to be over,” said Lewis, who gave up three runs but was impressive in the Angels’ 10-4 rout of the Padres. “I’ve spent the last month trying to be composed about the whole thing, but it wears on you.

“I’ll be glad when they say something good or bad. Then you can focus on what’s ahead. It kind of hangs around like a monkey on your back.”

Manager Doug Rader was apologetic about leaving Lewis and Grahe in limbo, but still wouldn’t reveal his choice.

Chuck Finley is scheduled to start today, with Kirk McCaskill, Mark Langston and Jim Abbott set to pitch in the Freeway Series against the Dodgers. The fifth starter in the rotation will follow Abbott on Sunday.

Lewis gave up a two-run home run in the second inning to left fielder Jerald Clark, his fourth homer in four at-bats against Lewis. The previous three were in triple-A last season.

“After I retired him (in the fourth), I went back to the dugout and said, ‘Isn’t anybody going to give me a high-five for getting Jerald out?’ ” Lewis said.

He got the high-five--and probably the No. 5 starting role.

Grahe, who started Tuesday’s B game, wasn’t perturbed by the error committed by first base coach-turned left fielder Bruce Hines. “I’ve played with worse,” Grahe said, smiling.

Grahe’s performance may have won him a spot in the bullpen. He gave up a run in the first inning and cruised until a five-run fifth, but he wasn’t dismayed. Not with Hines playing the outfield for the first time in 10 years and a former third baseman named Rader playing first base.

“It was the type of outing that doesn’t look good on paper, but was different if you were there to see it,” Grahe said. “It would have been one thing if I pitched five innings and gave up one or two runs every inning and was consistently in trouble. But that wasn’t the case.”

Mike Fetters was hit hard for the second successive game, giving up five runs in two innings. He knows his chances of making the club might have evaporated. “I sure didn’t help them,” he said. “I haven’t thrown this bad since (Class) A ball.”

In the role of closer for the second time in three games, left-hander Scott Bailes gave up two hits but maintained his 0.00 earned-run average through 12 1/3 innings.

Bailes struggled on the mound last season while suffering from low blood sugar, which he said made him weak and unable to concentrate. Altering his diet has given him strength, and his spring success has given him hope.

“I didn’t expect to throw this well, but I expected to have to pitch well to make it,” he said. “I keep thinking I might have, but nobody’s said anything, and I’m going to keep putting zeroes up there.”

Angel Notes

Luis Polonia, who left Monday’s game because of a migraine headache and blurred vision, went two for five with a run batted in during Tuesday’s main game and made several good plays in left field. . . . “It’s a pleasure to see someone apply himself and reap dividends,” Manager Doug Rader said of Polonia’s improved defensive play. . . . It was incorrectly stated that infielder Fred Manrique, who was waived on Monday, wasn’t qualified for a pension. He is eligible.