BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Errors Are Not Leading to Runs--So Far

The Angels committed 24 errors before Saturday’s game but had given up only six unearned runs, a statistic Manager Buck Rodgers says is a credit to the team’s pitching staff.

“It means the errors haven’t bothered our pitchers, which is a good sign,” Rodgers said. “I’ve seen pitchers throw their heads back and make a big thing out of (errors), but this staff has busted their butts to get guys off the hook. When I played, if I dropped a popup and the pitcher got the next guy out, I didn’t feel so bad.”

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina said the only thing worse than making an error that leads to a big inning is seeing a pitcher shrug his shoulders and glare at a fielder after the mistake.

“But no one on our staff has been like that,” DiSarcina said. “They’ve been so positive out there, if someone makes an error, they just get fire in their eyes and say, ‘Let’s get the next one.’ ”

After committing an error in each of the first two games, DiSarcina, a rookie, had only one in his last 12 appearances and was hitting .340, including his fifth multiple-hit game Friday night, going into Saturday’s game.

“He’s exceeded our expectations--he’s been solid both offensively and defensively,” Rodgers said. “I don’t think he’ll hit .340 all season, but he’s playing like a veteran, playing with confidence. He’s laying the bunt down, hitting to the opposite field, scoring a lot of runs. He can’t show us any more.”

On the flip side, rookie second baseman Bobby Rose probably can. Rose, who had five errors, was hitless in 15 at-bats before Saturday’s game, and said he has been losing sleep while pondering his defensive problems.

“I’m concerned with him getting down on himself,” Rodgers said. “I don’t want him to doubt his ability. I won’t give up on him unless he gives up on himself.”

Luis Polonia’s stolen base during the seventh inning of Friday night’s game marked his 71st as an Angel, tying him for ninth on the team’s all-time list with Jim Fregosi, Bobby Bonds and Jose Cardenal. . . . Pitcher Bert Blyleven, attempting to come back from rotator-cuff surgery, is 1-2 with a 2.25 earned-run average in three starts with double-A Midland, Tex. . . . Seattle reliever Mike Schooler, a former Golden West College and Cal State Fullerton standout who sat out the first half of last season season because of an injured right shoulder, said he has recovered. The right-hander, who is the Mariners’ all-time save leader with 90, is five-for-five in save opportunities this season. . . . The Angels announced after the game that right-handed pitcher Scott Lewis, who had a 1-0 record with 5.94 ERA, will be optioned to triple-A Edmonton to make room for left-hander reliever Scott Bailes, who is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list.