BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Lachemann Not Worried About Smith

He’s pitching too much. He’s not pitching enough. Batters squaring to bunt are throwing off his rhythm. He’s 37, weighs 270 pounds and his knees ache. Problems with his delivery are causing his pitches to flatten out.

Next thing you know, Oliver Stone will add a theory as to why closer Lee Smith was 0-4 with an 18.78 earned-run average and three blown saves in his last nine appearances before Tuesday night’s game against the Indians.

But Smith, who gave up two runs in the top of the 10th inning in Monday night’s 9-7 loss to Cleveland, has a simple explanation for his struggles since opening the season with 19 consecutive saves.

“I’m just making bad pitches and they’re getting hit,” said Smith, whose ERA has jumped to 5.40. “I got 19 in a row and everyone thought it was easy. Everyone has a theory, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is the fellow right here.”

Smith was pointing at Manager Marcel Lachemann’s office, where its occupant was not in a finger-pointing mood. There have been rumblings that set-up man Troy Percival (1.99 ERA) could assume some of Smith’s closing duties, but Lachemann is not ready to give up on baseball’s all-time saves leader.

“It’s not a concern for me,” Lachemann said. “I know it is for a lot of other people, and I guess [Smith’s struggles] give them fuel for their fire. Troy is going to be a great closer, but his time will come.”

Lachemann said pitchers periodically get “a little off kilter,” and both Lachemann and pitching coach Chuck Hernandez spent time with Smith in the Angel bullpen during batting practice Tuesday trying to iron out a minor flaw in his delivery.

Smith, whose second-half fade in 1994 (from 2.25 ERA in first half to 8.53 ERA in second with Baltimore) has caused concern that recent problems are part of a trend, admitted he has been “rushing a bit on my slider.” He has had a few “minor ailments,” but wasn’t about to use those as excuses.

“If I waited until I was 100% to go between the lines I’d probably have thrown 10 games my whole career,” Smith said. “I’m sure I’m washed up again. People have said I’ve been washed up for a while. But if I don’t feel I can do the job any more I’ll be the first to leave.

“If I’m hurting the club I wouldn’t be here. I think I’ve done a few decent things to help the club. I don’t think Lach is ready to toss me out on the curb yet. And he won’t have to. I will.”

*

Pitcher Shawn Boskie, out since July 16 because of an inflamed elbow, threw for the second consecutive day Tuesday but Lachemann said the right-hander is still weeks away from returning. . . . Pitcher Scott Sanderson, disabled since early June because of a herniated disk in his lower back, will have surgery Aug.2 in Chicago and is out for the season.