BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Myers Needs Surgery; Melvin Is Sought

The Angels, after learning Sunday that catcher Greg Myers must undergo surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee that will sideline him for at least a month, have begun negotiations with veteran catcher Bob Melvin.

Melvin, 32, who has played eight seasons as a backup catcher, was released this spring by the Boston Red Sox. He is a career .234 hitter, batting only .222 with three homers and 23 RBIs last season for the Red Sox, but is considered strong defensively.

The Angels are attempting to sign him to a triple-A contract, according to General Manager Bill Bavasi. Melvin would be Vancouver’s everyday catcher and be available if the Angels become uncomfortable with rookie catchers Chris Turner and Jorge Fabregas.

Myers suffered the injury Saturday in a home-plate collision with Red Sox outfielder Mike Greenwell.

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Bo Jackson, who struck out swinging in the eighth inning with runners on second and third with one out, says there’s no secret to the Fenway mystique.

“It’s the hardest ballpark in the league to play in,” he said. “During the day, you can’t see those pitches coming out from those white uniforms. It’s like hitting a needle in a haystack.

“And I know if we can’t see him, the umpires sure can’t. That’s why you see a lot of bad calls.

“They’re trying. We’re trying. And everybody’s screwing up.”

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Angel right fielder Tim Salmon, after being informed that the Angels have yet to win a game at Fenway since he joined the team: “Should we get rid of me?”

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Angel catcher Chris Turner extended his hitless skein to 19 at-bats, and has failed to produce a hit since April 9. He has failed to hit the ball out of the infield in 13 consecutive at-bats, striking out in eight of them. . . . Red Sox second baseman Scott Fletcher stole a hit away from Gary DiSarcina with a basket catch in short right field in the ninth, and on the very next pitch, dove in the air to his right and stole a hit from Damion Easley. He received a standing ovation.