Stewart Looks Like a Million Against Angels

Dave Stewart won at least 20 games for four consecutive seasons with Oakland in the late 1980s, but after two unremarkable seasons in Toronto, the A’s got him back as a free agent last month for a mere $1 million.

On opening day, the deal looked more like a bust than a bargain when the Blue Jays scored 11 runs in the second inning. So Stewart carried the burden of a 47.25 earned-run average to the mound Tuesday night.

However, the veteran right-hander gave up only three hits in six innings, lowered his ERA to a manageable 8.59 and improved his record in Anaheim Stadium to 11-2 as the A’s beat the Angels, 2-0, in front of 12,471.

Like a guy with a headache and his favorite painkiller in hand, he could be confident relief was on the way. For Stewart, an evening in Orange County is a proven panacea: Take a few turns through the Angel lineup and he’s bound to go to bed feeling better.

“He doesn’t throw as hard as he used to, but he was hitting his spots,” left fielder Tony Phillips said. “He’s still a quality pitcher and plenty good enough to win in this league. He moves the ball around, makes you hit his pitches. You’ve got to tip your hat to him.”

Before the game, Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann said, “Our reports were that his stuff is still good.”

At least the scouting department is on target.

Angel starter Chuck Finley, who walked five batters in seven innings, continues to get nothing but migraines from the A’s. He ended up with the loss, his career record against Oakland dropping to 4-15.

Finley, who struck out six Tigers in four innings of the Angels’ opener but ended up a loser after giving up a three-run homer to Juan Samuel, fell victim to the same one-mistake-and-you’re-out scenario Tuesday night.

He struggled with his control early, walking two batters in the first, but escaped unscathed. Then the A’s cashed in on a leadoff walk to Mark McGwire in the fourth when designated hitter Geronimo Berroa deposited Finley’s first delivery over the 370 sign in right field.

“Actually, it was a good pitch, low and away,” Lachemann said. “Chuck pitched well tonight.”

The Angel lineup, loaded with eager young swingers, was no match for a wily veteran on this evening.

“Stewart did a good job of keeping us off balance,” center fielder Jim Edmonds said, “and we didn’t do a very good job of figuring him out.”

The Angels flew home Monday riding the wings of a two-game winning streak after taking three of four from the Blue Jays, but their offense hasn’t exactly been pushing across runs at a record pace.

“We played very well in a ballpark where we haven’t played well at all in the past,” Lachemann said, “but we can’t afford to get giddy.”

The Angels looked more lethargic than giddy. After coming up empty against the A’s, they have scored only seven runs in the last four games.

“Yeah, I’m concerned that we’re not putting the ball in play more,” Lachemann said. “But it’s early in the season and there’s really nothing we can do but keep grinding, keep coming out early for hitting and work on being better at pitch selection.

“You don’t have to swing at every strike.”

Oakland would have added to its lead in the fifth if not for Edmonds’ spectacular sprinting over-the-shoulder catch of a drive to center by Stan Javier. Edmonds caught up with the ball at the warning track, snagged it and held on after slamming into the wall.

Rickey Henderson returned the favor in the seventh when J.T. Snow greeted reliever Rick Honeycutt with a shot to left. Henderson retreated to the wall, jumped and gloved the ball a foot above the barrier.

But that was as close as the struggling Angel offense got to scoring. They failed to get a runner as far as third base.