BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Pitching Leads to More Optimism

Lost in the Angels’ offensive prowess has been a number of good pitching performances. Angel pitchers have given up four or fewer runs in six of the last seven games.

“We’ve pitched better lately and that’s the thing that will probably make the difference down the line,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said. “We’re going to hit and we’re going to score runs, but we’re also going to have to win some 2-1 and 3-2 games along the way. So, it’s good to see that the pitching has come back around.”

Mark Langston gave up two runs during 7 2/3 innings Sunday, but he doesn’t mind that most of the recent focus has been on hitting.

“If there comes a time when the offense takes some time off, I think we have the potential to pick them up like they’ve picked us up,” he said.

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The Angels have their biggest lead in nine years, but they’re not exactly luring fans into Anaheim Stadium. Sunday’s crowd of 18,948 was below the season average of 20,216, which is somewhat inflated by an opening-day crowd of 51,145 and 61,292 on the Fourth of July.

“It’s up to [the fans] whether or not they come out,” Lachemann said. “But I think they would enjoy watching these kids play. I know I do.”

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Left-hander Bob Patterson, who sprained his left ankle while jogging near his home Saturday morning, is making good progress. Lachemann said Patterson could have pitched Sunday if “it were a World Series game or something.” . . . Lachemann said he would be disappointed if the Angels didn’t hang on to win the American League West title. “We’ve got as good a chance as anybody else,” he said. “If we keep playing well, stay healthy, catch some breaks and make some breaks, we have a real good chance.” . . . Former Angel Chad Curtis on the Angel offense: “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was surprised.”