Davis’ Next Hit to Be Big for Team

The next hit for Chili Davis will be the 2,000th of his career, a significant personal milestone to be sure. It’s also worth celebrating as far as Angel history is concerned, according to General Manager Bill Bavasi.

“Not all of his hits came in a California Angels uniform, but a lot of important ones were,” Bavasi said. “He’s not a boisterous leader, but he got Tim Salmon off to a tremendous start in his career. J.T. Snow, too. He’s been a real good influence in the lineup. He’s been very important for the young guys--the Garret Andersons, the Jimmy Edmonds, the J.T. Snows.

“There are an awful lot of young guys who respect him. It’s an important part of our history to have a guy get 2,000 hits in our uniform. It gives a sense of history for our young guys.

“It’s like, ‘Wow, there’s somebody who got 2,000 hits and I played with him.’ ”

Davis, who was not in Manager Marcel Lachemann’s starting lineup Sunday, entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and walked. He also struck out with Gary DiSarcina at third base in the ninth.

He has two shots to get No. 2,000 today because the Angels and Chicago White Sox play a doubleheader.

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The Angels ran more than usual during the four-game series against the Brewers, and the results were mixed. They stole three bases, bringing their season total to 22--still the fewest in the American League.

But they also had runners caught stealing three times and picked off once. What gives?

“The circumstances dictated [that the Angels could run against the Brewers],” Lachemann said. “We were running in certain counts. We stole more bases [and getting caught] comes with the territory.”

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Left-handed reliever Brad Pennington made his first appearance since being activated from the disabled list Saturday, giving up one hit and one walk with two strikeouts in one inning Sunday.

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From Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune: “In a seemingly futile attempt to find a baseball pulse in Orange County, Walt Disney Co. has succeeded in turning Angels games into Super Bowl halftime shows, with nonstop, squeaky clean entertainment for F.W.A.S. (Fans Without Attention Spans).”

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After hitting home runs in a season-high 13 consecutive games, the Angels have gone back-to-back games without one. . . . Infielder Damion Easley, who did not play in the four-game series against Milwaukee, figures to play today because of the doubleheader. He has been an infrequent starter because of the solid play of Randy Velarde. . . . With DiSarcina signed to a long-term deal last week, Bavasi hopes to soon sign right fielder Anderson to a multiyear deal. . . . The Angels have won six of their past eight road games.