ANGELS : Players Getting Down to Business

The fantasy camp atmosphere that pervaded the Angel clubhouse during the first few weeks of spring training has dissipated.

The replacement Angels are a week from opening the Freeway Series against the Dodgers in Anaheim Stadium, the front office is trying to lure more minor leaguers across the union’s symbolic picket line and tensions are beginning to mount.

“It’s only natural to feel some pressure,” said Angel pitcher Steve Peck, who gave up eight hits in six innings in Thursday’s 13-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Hi Corbett Field.

“A lot of us have come a long way in five weeks, and it would be disheartening to lose your job three days before camp breaks. But that’s the way this business is. You can’t look in the rear-view mirror, or you’ll just end up pulling your hair out.”

The Angels have responded well to the pressure, bouncing back from three poorly played games last weekend to win three of the past four. They have scored 33 runs in the past three games and had 18 hits Thursday.

Shortstop Fred Diaz, one of two minor leaguers to join the replacement team this week, had three hits and two runs batted in, and outfielder Greg Shockey and third baseman Jose Peguero each had three hits and three RBIs.

Tom Redington, a former Esperanza High School standout who joined Diaz across the picket line, replaced first baseman Tookie Spann in the sixth and made two fine defensive plays. Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann said two more minor leaguers might join the Angels by this weekend.

“They’re obviously aware people are coming over, that we’re trying to make the club better,” Lachemann said. “Seeing that, they know they have to battle for a job every time out. There’s nothing wrong with competition.”

The realization that, as Lachemann said, “We’re 99% sure we’re going to start the season with these guys,” is also starting to sink in.

“The first few weeks, no one was really sure what was going on or how long this would last,” said outfielder Randy Hood, who had two hits Thursday. “Now everyone’s taking this a little more serious, and things are more tense.”

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Peck was solid Thursday, striking out one and walking three while slowing baseball’s top-rated spring-training offense, but he was just as proud of the single he dribbled into center field in the sixth inning.

His running needs a little work, though. After moving to second on Hood’s single, Diaz ripped a double over the right fielder’s head. Peck initially tagged up on the hit and was nearly lapped on the basepaths by Hood.

Peck, who was batting because the designated hitter is not used in National League parks, crossed the plate just before Hood slid home ahead of the relay throw.

“I could feel Hood breathing down my neck as I was coming home,” Peck said. “I saw (teammate Darrin Doty) behind the plate giving a sign to stand up. I wasn’t sure if it was for me or Hood. That’s a perfect example of why pitchers shouldn’t be on the basepaths.”

Notes

Frank DiMichelle, Tony Fetchel and Dion Beck each pitched an inning of scoreless relief, and the Angels turned three double plays against the Rockies. Fetchel on the prospect of playing in Anaheim Stadium: “Everyone’s excited, maybe even a bit giddy. We’ve all played pro ball, but not many of us have played in a big-league yard in a big-league uniform. . . . An arthrogram on outfielder Chris Powell’s strained right wrist was inconclusive Wednesday, and the former Cal State Fullerton standout has been cleared to play. . . . Outfielder/first baseman John Fishel, who injured his neck swinging a weighted bat in the on-deck circle Tuesday, should be available for today’s game against the Chicago Cubs in Tempe.