BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Now Gaetti Has Problems With Fundamentals at Third

While he is happy to see second baseman Bobby Rose emerge from his defensive funk during this trip, Manager Buck Rodgers is concerned about Gary Gaetti’s fielding at third base. Gaetti, a four-time Gold Glove winner, has committed 10 errors this season, including three in the first four games of this trip. However, Rodgers said he is confident Gaetti’s flaws can be corrected.

“Right now, he’s on the verge of paranoia setting in. We’ve got to go back to the fundamentals, ABC,” Rodgers said. “He’s rushing and trying to throw the ball before he catches it. He’s straightening up, when he’s got to stay down and through a ground ball, like on a pitched ball.

“The thing we can’t do is say, ‘Gary Gaetti is making more errors than he normally would,’ and not do anything. He’s a quality third baseman, but he’s got a problem right now. The world is full of people who can point out problems. We’ve got to be fixers, and that’s what we’re trying to do now.”

The Angels didn’t commit any errors Saturday, but they still lead the major leagues with 29.

In 23 games, Rodgers has yet to repeat a batting order. He moved Gaetti up to fifth and had Rene Gonzales bat seventh and play first, Gonzales’ third position in three days. Gonzales played third Thursday and second Friday. “It’s not something I’m trying to do,” Rodgers said of the lineup variations. . . . Today will probably see the 24th lineup, because Rodgers said Lance Parrish will catch after sitting out three games because of a sore right elbow and John Morris will replace Chad Curtis in right field.

Joe Grahe, who struggled through 5 1/3 innings Thursday, said he resolved some problems with his delivery during a bullpen session Saturday. “It was a matter of slowing the tempo (of his delivery) just a tad,” he said. . . . Don Robinson (arthritic left hip) felt no ill effects after throwing off the mound Friday. He’s scheduled to throw again Monday in Detroit. . . . Von Hayes (strained left hamstring) is progressing well, according to trainer Ned Bergert, but he is not expected to play during this trip. . . . The Angels turned three double plays, a season high. . . . Indian left fielder Thomas Howard suffered a slight separation of his right shoulder during the sixth inning when he somersaulted while lunging for the bag on a grounder to first. The Indians have seven players on the disabled list.