Angels Win Just in Time, End Losing Streak at 11

After so many missed signs, the Angels read one and executed it successfully Friday.

Written on the lineup card posted in their clubhouse beneath their batting practice times was, “Win 10:30.” No one minded that their 6-1 victory over the Tigers and their 11-game losing streak ended a little late, at 10:32 p.m. EDT.

“It felt like we won the World Series, we were that excited,” said shortstop Gary DiSarcina, who had two hits and drove in the Angels’ fifth run. “It felt like I went one-on-one with Larry Bird and I won.

“When was the last time we won--in Seattle?” he said, needing prompting to recall the team’s 2-1 triumph over the Mariners on June 27. “That’s two weeks. I wouldn’t want to do that again.”

Julio Valera (5-8) ended the streak one short of the team record for most consecutive losses in one season and two from the overall mark, which included 12 losses at the end of the 1988 season and the first game of 1989. Sticking to a scouting report that recommended he keep his breaking ball down and his fastball up against the free-swinging Tigers, Valera matched his personal best with eight strikeouts in seven innings.

“I knew we lost 10. Then I saw in the paper today it was 11 and that we were one short of the (single-season) record. I went out there to try and stop it and I did,” said Valera, who ended his own three-game losing streak. “I was thinking the record was not going to happen tonight. I don’t want to be part of that record. It’s not a real good record.”

The Angels’ record against left-handed starters isn’t good, either, but they made it 3-17 by pounding Tiger left-hander Buddy Groom (0-3) for seven hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings. In Games 1, 5, 6, 7 and 10 of their streak, they scored first but couldn’t hold on. Not so with a 2-0 first-inning lead Friday.

A misplayed bunt had helped them score their first two runs, after Luis Polonia singled and third baseman Scott Livingstone threw away a bunt by Luis Sojo. Polonia scored on the play and Sojo moved to third, from where he scored on Junior Felix’s ground out.

“I like to see the bunt because it gets people moving around the infield and it puts pressure on the other team,” DiSarcina said. “When Luis bunted, that gave us a little spark. Julio really pitched well. We didn’t screw up on defense, and we got some clutch hitting. It was a big relief.”

They took a 4-1 lead in the sixth after DiSarcina singled, was sacrificed to second by Polonia and scored on Sojo’s double to left. Sojo scored on Felix’s triple off the glove of center fielder Milt Cuyler.

For the first time in weeks, interim Manager John Wathan didn’t have to force a smile.

“The champagne’s on me,” he said. “That was nice. It was very much needed. Valera pitched a good ballgame, we executed very well--the bunt was a big play--and we got a couple of hits and some big RBIs.

“It feels good. It takes the albatross off our necks, I guess.”

Tiger Manager Sparky Anderson, whose team had won its previous five games, was impressed with Valera on Friday.

“To tell the truth, we hadn’t been dominated like that for a while,” he said. “I never felt at any time we would get to him. When it was 4-1, I said, ‘Wrap it up boys, it’s over.’ ”

A streak that carried through five cities--Seattle, Anaheim, Toronto, Cleveland and Detroit--and saw the Angels outscored, 61-22, wasn’t officially over until Mark Eichhorn pitched two hitless innings of relief. Then, it was time for the Angels to congratulate themselves and third base coach Ken Macha, who had written the “Win 10:30” on the lineup card.

“Maybe I should blame him for not doing it sooner,” Wathan joked.

Better to win two minutes late, though, than never.

“After (Thursday’s) game I could tell there was a different feeling, like we knew we were going to win today,” Polonia said, referring to a late comeback that ended with a 5-4 loss Thursday. “Today, I didn’t know who was going to pitch and I didn’t care because we were going to win. We had lost that feeling, how it feels to win. I’m glad it came back.”