Eight Is Boskie’s Number

Edgy and uncomfortable, Shawn Boskie fought a sense of impending doom and the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday.

In the end, he overcame both, giving the Angels a relatively easy 6-4 victory before 35,464 at County Stadium. It was the Angels’ 12th victory in 14 games and maintained their status as the hottest team in the major leagues.

Years from now, Boskie might remember his eighth victory this season another way. But what stood out in his mind were the uneasy feelings that continually washed over him on the mound.

Sure, Milwaukee features one of the American League’s top offenses. But, come on, the Brewers are two games below .500, certainly not a team that would have a veteran pitcher quaking in his spikes.

“I felt on edge,” Boskie said after giving up four runs and 11 hits with five strikeouts and a walk in eight innings. “I didn’t feel like I was ever under control.”

He also insisted that wasn’t such a bad thing.

“Sometimes when you do feel under control, the game slips away,” said Boskie, 8-2 with a 3.79 earned-run average. “I didn’t mind feeling uncomfortable.”

If that sounds odd, forgive Boskie. He was entering unknown territory Saturday.

After all, he has never won more than seven games in a season before and he needs some time to get used to this winning gig. With the All-Star break more than three weeks away, Boskie must adjust his goals and raise his expectations.

He said that goes against his principles. He began his pro career like many hot prospects, believing Cooperstown might come calling a few weeks after making his major league debut.

One day after a disappointing outing as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, he sought out Manager Jim Fregosi for advice.

“I had been labeled a great prospect with great stuff and here I got lit up,” Boskie said. “I talked to Fregosi about it and he stopped me before I could even get started and said, ‘You know what? You expect too much out of yourself.’ The gist of it was, ‘You’ve got to stop, lower your expectations and have fun. Do yourself a favor and just do the job and have fun.’ ”

Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann on Saturday gave the OK for Boskie to start setting his sights a bit higher now.

“He’s been even better than last year [when Boskie was 7-7 in 20 starts for the Angels],” Lachemann said. “He’s been extremely consistent since he came back into the rotation.”

Saturday’s victory was his fourth since leaving the bullpen for a starting spot May 21. He is 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA in seven starts since the switch. “And it could be even more [victories],” Lachemann said.

The Angels missed no opportunities to jump on the Brewers’ mistakes and there were plenty.

For example, the Angels scored three runs on one hit, a two-base error, a run-scoring strikeout and a sacrifice fly in the third inning.

A run-scoring strikeout?

Yep. Milwaukee starter Angel Miranda (3-5) struck out Don Slaught with a wild third strike, allowing Gary DiSarcina to score from third base.

Darin Erstad, who reached second when right fielder David Nilsson crashed into center fielder Pat Listach and knocked the ball from his glove, moved to third. He then scored on Garret Anderson’s sacrifice fly.

Erstad’s two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth gave the Angels a 5-0 lead. Although John Jaha hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning, Boskie remained in control.

Or, at least, he appeared to be in control. He certainly was grateful for the run support.

“Every time I’ve pitched we’ve scored plenty of runs,” Boskie said. “Before I go out there I know we’re going to score runs. I know I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to be aggressive. That’s one thing that carried over from being in the bullpen: Just attack and see what happens.”

When Boskie tired in the ninth, giving up consecutive homers to Jose Valentin and Jeff Cirillo, Lachemann summoned closer Troy Percival. Percival halted the Milwaukee rally, struck out two and earned his 20th save.