BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Gonzales Is Kept Away From Welch

Manager Buck Rodgers gave third baseman Rene Gonzales the night off, starting Torey Lovullo in his place. Rodgers wanted to rest Gonzales either Saturday or today, but when he checked Gonzales’ record against Oakland starter Bob Welch, he decided Saturday might be best.

Gonzales is 0 for 11 lifetime against Welch.

“Sometimes it’s overdone, but it gives you an indication,” Rodgers said of looking at career statistics of hitters against certain pitchers. “If I have a question, I use it as a reference point and in some cases a selling point (to the player).”

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Tim Salmon was a late scratch because of back spasms. He was replaced in right field by Stan Javier. . . . With two stolen bases in Friday’s 4-3 victory over Oakland, center fielder Chad Curtis became the league leader. “I think he earned his wings the first part of last year,” Rodgers said. “He’s also learned to give credit to some guys who are real fast to the plate. Last year, he said, ‘I’m going to try to steal off this guy anyway.’ Now, he says, ‘Maybe I’ll stay here and Buck will hit and run and I’ll wind up at third.’ ”

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Farm report: Outfielder Jerome Walton, sent to triple-A Vancouver to get a chance to play, is hitting .286 with four doubles and five RBIs in seven games. Pitchers Jerry Nielsen and Russ Springer, two-thirds of the deal that sent Jim Abbott to New York, continue to post mediocre numbers in Vancouver. Nielsen is 1-1 with a 3.86 earned-run average in nine relief appearances. Springer is 3-2 with a 6.04 ERA in five starts.