BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Sanderson Shows He’s Not Through Yet

He’s five years older than his pitching coach, and he began his professional baseball career the year his third baseman in Sunday’s game started kindergarten.

He had surgery to repair herniated disks in his lower back in 1988 and 1995, both potential career-ending procedures, and came to spring training in February as a longshot to make the team.

But pitcher Scott Sanderson, 39, is still standing, still retiring major league hitters, and for that reason he’s expected to survive the Angels’ third round of cuts today. He also has a good chance of making the opening-day roster.

“I know what my age and medical history say, but I know how my body feels,” said Sanderson, who pitched five shutout innings, giving up two hits and striking out three, Sunday in a 5-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

“I expect to do some good things to help this team out, and I hope I’m given that opportunity. There were times this winter when I wondered if this was possible, but the long hours of hard work have definitely paid off.”

Sanderson was the team’s No. 3 starter coming out of camp in 1995 but injured his back fielding a bunt a few days before the season opener.

He pitched through the pain but lasted only seven games, his season ending with a 1-3 record and 4.12 earned-run average.

He underwent back surgery last August and was so encouraged by his rehabilitation that he signed a minor league contract with the Angels in November in hopes of playing his 20th professional season.

Sanderson was hit hard in his first two spring starts, but he pitched well in a minor league game. He gave up only three runs in five innings Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants before crafting Sunday’s gem.

“He showed a lot of arm strength, he used both sides of the plate, and he wasn’t afraid to move someone off the plate,” Manager Marcel Lachemann said.

“This definitely doesn’t hurt him.”

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The George Arias Express continues to gain momentum. Arias, 24, who is pushing Tim Wallach for the starting third base job, made a diving stop of Greg Vaughn’s one-hop smash in the fourth inning and threw Vaughn out.

In the eighth, Arias ranged to his left to field Kevin Seitzer’s bases-loaded grounder and start an inning-ending double play.

He had an RBI single in the fourth and is now batting .389 with four homers and 13 RBIs.

“I don’t want to make it an easy decision for them,” said Arias, who is attempting to make the jump from double A to the major leagues.

“Right now things are going so well--it’s like I can’t do anything wrong--I just hope it doesn’t come to an end some day.”

Reserve outfielder Orlando Palmeiro also boosted his stock Sunday with three hits, including a double and triple.

Palmeiro has what no Angel starter has--sheer speed--and he’s the Angels’ best defensive reserve outfielder.

“Hopefully I have something they can use,” Palmeiro said.