BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Grahe’s Role in Jeopardy

On the heels of another bullpen meltdown, Manager Marcel Lachemann said he will meet soon with pitching coach Chuck Hernandez to discuss possible changes.

The most pressing issue would be what to do with the closer’s role. After Joe Grahe gave up a three-run homer to Don Mattingly in the ninth inning Sunday, Lachemann hinted that Grahe might lose the job.

“I probably have other options,” Lachemann said. “And I can’t say I won’t think about them. I’ll talk to Chuck about it (before Tuesday’s game against Oakland).”

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The Angels assigned pitcher Jeff Schwarz, acquired Saturday from the Chicago White Sox, to their 25-man roster. They also designated pitcher Scott Lewis for assignment.

Schwarz, a right-hander, had no record with a 6.35 earned-run average in nine relief appearances for the White Sox. Lewis was 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA in 20 games for the Angels.

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Dean Chance, honored Sunday by the Angels 30 years after winning the Cy Young Award, said that major league pitching isn’t what it used to be.

“I don’t want to knock the game of baseball, but the real good pitchers stand out like a sore thumb,” said Chance, the only Angel to win the Cy Young Award.

“I like the guy with Boston (Roger Clemens). You can’t fear anybody. He’s a guy who can put (batters) on their butts.”

Chance was 20-9 with two saves and a 1.65 earned-run average in 1964.

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Shortstop Gary DiSarcina skipped Sunday’s game because his wife, Janee, was expecting the couple’s first child at any time.

Right fielder Tim Salmon, sidelined because of a strained right hamstring, sat out his seventh consecutive game. He is scheduled to test his leg by running today.

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Yankee catcher Mike Stanley went into Sunday’s game batting .280 with 14 home runs and 43 runs batted in. He was five for 10 with three homers and six RBIs in the past two games.

By contrast, Angel catchers Greg Myers and Chris Turner were batting .233 with two homers and 16 RBIs.