BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Sanderson Roughed Up but Calls It Progress

To fans in HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Ariz., it was a rocky pitching performance. To Angel right-hander Scott Sanderson, it was progress.

Sure, Sanderson gave up four runs on five hits in two innings of the Angels’ 13-12 exhibition victory over the Chicago Cubs Saturday. But he got to cover first on a grounder, work from the stretch, back up third and home . . . all the things coaches weren’t sure he could do after back surgery in 1995.

“You never like giving up runs, but I’m really encouraged by today,” Sanderson said. “I showed I can do a lot of things, extend myself farther. Every demand I’ve put on myself, my body has responded favorably.”

Sanderson, who turns 40 on July 22, is attempting the improbable--he’s trying to win the fifth spot in the Angel rotation after sitting out most of last season because of a herniated disk in his lower back.

Unlike 1995, when Sanderson was a lock for the rotation and could focus on preparation, Sanderson must show this spring he’s better than Shawn Boskie, Phil Leftwich, Jason Grimsley and Dennis Springer, the other candidates for the fifth spot.

“First and foremost I need to show Marcel [Lachemann, manager] and Chuck [Hernandez, pitching coach] I’m healthy,” said Sanderson, 1-3 with a 4.12 earned-run average in seven starts last season. “They know I know how to pitch.”

After retiring the side in order in the first inning Saturday, Sanderson was roughed up in the second, giving up a homer, two doubles and two singles. But he said he felt strong, and his velocity--his fastball was clocked in the 85-mph range--was actually better in the second inning.

“I’m not going to be throwing those Frisbees all the time,” said Sanderson, whose slow curve may not even register on the speed gun. “People have a tendency to look at me as a breaking-ball pitcher, but I can still throw a fastball.”

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Saturday’s 3-hour 45-minute exhibition recalled those Wrigley Field specials, the teams combining for 31 hits--including seven doubles, two triples and four home runs--four errors and 20 left on base.

Among Angel highlights: Tim Salmon’s three-run homer, homers by Jim Edmonds and Chris Pritchett, two-run singles by Rex Hudler and Orlando Palmeiro in a six-run sixth, two scoreless innings by Grimsley, and 1 1/3 hitless innings by reliever Shad Williams.

The lowlights: Mike James, who may have to assume a set-up role depending on the health of Lee Smith and Bryan Harvey, gave up five runs on five hits in the sixth inning, and shortstop Gary DiSarcina committed two errors and was thrown out at third base twice, both outs ending innings.

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The Angels have split-squad games against Oakland today, with Jim Abbott getting the start in Phoenix and Leftwich in Tempe.