BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : DiSarcina, Umpire in Grudge Match?

What was materializing as another uneventful spring-training game Saturday ended tumultuously with insults, confrontations and a police escort.

The umpiring crew of Mark Johnson, Tim McClelland and Jim Quick received a police escort out of Tempe Diablo Stadium after the Colorado Rockies’ 7-6 victory over the Angels.

Stadium security thought it was appropriate after Johnson ejected Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina in the ninth inning. There was a heated confrontation between DiSarcina and Johnson, and when the game ended moments later, Angel hitting Coach Rod Carew had to be separated from Johnson.

“He insulted my ability to hit a baseball,” said DiSarcina, who never had been ejected in his professional career. “I don’t know the guy from Adam, never even talked to him before in my life, and he insults me.

“I wasn’t going to stand there and take it. He was the antagonist. He was the one who went ballistic.”

Johnson, according to two players, told DiSarcina: “You’re a .220 hitter and I’m going to (get) you all year.”

Said Johnson: “Let’s just say we had a few words.”

“I’m sure he’ll hold a grudge,” DiSarcina said, “so I’m going to make sure I swing the bat when he’s behind the plate. Every time up, it’s hit and run.”

Manager Buck Rodgers hates to even entertain the notion, but concedes that he might think twice about playing DiSarcina in games Johnson is umpiring behind the plate.

“Hey, I’ve seen grudges last 20 years in the game,” Rodgers said. “I usually don’t look to see who’s umpiring to make my lineup card out, and I hate to resort to that.

“At this point, there’s not a whole lot you can do about it. But I’m afraid, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

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Starter Joe Magrane and reliever Julio Valera will not open the season with the Angels, but after watching them make their first appearances on the practice field Saturday, Dr. Lewis Yocum expects that each will return. If everything goes according to plan, Yocum said, Magrane will be in the starting rotation by the end of April and Valera will be in the bullpen by June. Magrane, pitching off a mound for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery last month, felt no pain or discomfort in his 10-minute outing. He says he will be pitching in a spring-training game by the end of the month. Valera, who pitched on the side for the first time since undergoing surgery July 8 on his right elbow, also experienced no discomfort.

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The Angels (1-8) committed three errors Saturday, and now have 10 in their first nine games.