BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : A Winning Attitude Proves a Balm

The prospect of playing for a contending team has hastened Ruben Sierra’s recovery from chicken pox.

“I’m not 100% strong, but I feel I can do my job, and that’s all I want,” said Sierra, who made his Oakland debut Sunday, six days after the trade that sent him from Texas to the A’s for Jose Canseco.

Sierra started in right field Monday, going two for three with a bases-loaded walk during Oakland’s 3-2 loss to the Angels. He scored his first run with Oakland on Sunday, the decisive run in the A’s 2-1 victory over the Red Sox. That helped him fit in with his new teammates.

“I know a couple of guys, but the rest of the guys I’ve got to get to know,” he said. “They know me as a player, but not as a person.”

Luis Polonia sat out Monday because of lingering soreness in his right foot. It’s only the second time this season he has sat out two consecutive games, but he probably will sit out a few more. “I can’t even beat out ground balls anymore. I can’t really run, so what’s the good of playing?” said Polonia, whose 47 steals rank fifth in the AL. “I’ve got to rest until I can give 100%.” . . . Chad Curtis’ throw to second to get Jerry Browne over-running the bag was Curtis’ 13th assist, tying him with Cleveland’s Mark Whiten for the league lead in outfield assists. . . . Rob Ducey’s second-inning walk was the first drawn by the Angels in 26 innings. . . . The Angels’ Class-A Quad City affiliate was eliminated by Cedar Rapids in the Midwest League Southern Division playoffs. . . . It was pure coincidence, but on the day Fay Vincent resigned as commissioner, the song choices in the “Music Traks” promotion were “Take This Job and Shove It” or “Working for a Living” or “Sixteen Tons.”