Nobody’s Perfect, but Indians’ McDowell Comes Close

Jack McDowell tried not to sweat too much in the Anaheim Stadium clubhouse, but that was impossible.

He had taken a 6-2 lead into the ninth inning Saturday, only to give the Angels a glimmer of hope. He gave up a bloop single to Tim Salmon and then walked Chili Davis. Walked him.

“What upset me the most was that walk,” McDowell said. “You have to be careful with Chili, but not that careful. That’s a situation where I got to be smart.”

No one would ever accuse him of being dumb. McDowell, after all, chose to pitch for the Indians this season--the team that led the major leagues in runs and won the American League pennant a year ago? When shopping for a place to pitch, it’s best to start at the top.

So far, it’s been a good deal for all. The Indians held on for a 6-5 victory, while McDowell cooled his heels. It was his fourth consecutive victory, even if it wasn’t an overpowering performance.

He gave up five runs in eight innings. He struck out only four and walked two, including Davis, which nudged along a three-run rally. But he pitched smart, nibbling here and there.

It was good enough to hold the Angels scoreless through six innings. It was good enough for Indian Manager Mike Hargrove.

“I’ll take that performance,” Hargrove said. “Jack was able to identify where he wanted to put the ball and then put it there. That’s the difference between a good pitcher and a really good pitcher.”

The Indians were in the market for a really good pitcher this winter and went after McDowell, who was 15-10 with the New York Yankees last season.

McDowell signed a two-year, $10.15-million contract in November. He was 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three starts against the Indians last season.

Hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, sign ‘em. And McDowell, noting the Indians scored 840 runs last season, was more than eager to sign.

“This club’s got a little potential, huh?” McDowell said the day he signed.

McDowell, who won 22 games and the Cy Young award with the Chicago White Sox in 1993, only added to it. His 98 victories through 1995 were the most among AL pitchers in 1990s.

“If you start swinging at balls, he’ll get you out without throwing strikes,” Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann said.

The Angels hit into three double plays Saturday.

McDowell, who was perfect through three innings, did make mistakes, but not many. He gave up a two-run homer to Garret Anderson in the seventh and he walked Davis in the ninth.

Other than that, it was a pretty smart performance.

“He would get strike one, then could do his thing,” Lachemann said. “He pretty much comes right at you. He doesn’t mess around an awful lot.”