BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Robinson Offers Answer to Weighty Pitching Issue

As the Angels audition pitchers for the fourth and fifth spots in their rotation, Don Robinson weighed in with a strong performance against his former Giant teammates.

The 240-pound right-hander gave up one run and struck out three in four innings Monday to remain in contention for a job. “I’m getting stronger. I can tell,” he said. “My fastball is getting better, and if my fastball is getting better, I know the other pitches will come.”

Robinson also doubled in the Angels’ two-run fifth inning. He did not figure in the decision in a 7-6 loss.

“The Angels said my weight doesn’t matter,” Robinson said.

The Angels took a 6-4 lead in the top of the ninth on a double by Luis Sojo and singles by Dick Schofield and Gary DiSarcina, but the Giants pounded Willie Fraser in the ninth and won the game on John Patterson’s single under the glove of first baseman Lee Stevens.

Mark Langston, whose last start was cut to three innings when he developed a blister on his left big toe, is expected to start as scheduled in Wednesday’s B game at Mesa. . . . Catcher John Orton, idled by a sore right shoulder since the exhibition schedule began, is expected back in the lineup this weekend. With Orton and Ron Tingley (strained calf muscle) unavailable, the Angels temporarily promoted catcher Fausto Tejero from their minor league camp.