Club Says It Didn’t Pull Plug on TV

Director of Communications Bill Roberston had just flipped on the TV and plopped down on the couch with a cool beverage Sunday night when he found himself back at work. The first thing he saw was a Prime Sports report saying that the Disney Co. had blacked out ESPN’s coverage of Sunday’s game against Oakland.

“I called them immediately,” Roberston said. “The game was never supposed to be televised. The five o’clock start probably was the cause of the misinformation because it coincides with the ESPN telecasts, but we’re just tinkering with starting times, especially on the weekends, to see what kind of support we get.

“It’s something we’ve done with the Mighty Ducks, too. We’re responding to some of the feedback we’ve gotten from the fans. A lot of people seem to like the early evening start on Sunday because it gives them time to do things during the day and still come out for the game.”

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Third baseman Jack Howell, on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, took a few swings, fielded some ground balls and jogged in the outfield Monday afternoon.

“I feel great, but how it feels [today] will be the key,” Howell said. “If I can get right back out there and do the same, or maybe a little more, that would be really great.”

Howell, who has been out two weeks, had to be convinced he was ahead of schedule.

“[Trainer] Ned [Bergert] took me in and read me some DLs,” Howell said. “Chili [Davis] was out about six weeks with a hamstring last year. And Timmy [Salmon] was out almost four in ’94. So I guess I’m doing well.”

Manager Marcel Lachemann said Howell will probably go to the minors for a short rehabilitation assignment before returning. “I think he needs to test it in a game situation, where you have to react, instead of just in a controlled situation like this,” Lachemann said.

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A day later, the Angels were still marveling at rookie right-hander Ryan Hancock, who held Oakland to four singles in seven innings Sunday. “I’m not saying he doesn’t have good stuff, but it was really more than you could expect,” Lachemann said, “especially considering what had happened to three of our better starters in the previous three games.” The A’s scored 19 runs and hit seven home runs against Shawn Boskie, Chuck Finley and Jason Grimsley. . . . No Angel finished higher than fifth in the All-Star voting, which was announced Monday. Gary DiSarcina was No. 5 in the balloting for shortstop with 155,625 votes. Salmon, who was 15th among American League outfielders, was the Angels’ top vote-getter with 263,246. . . . Former Angel Mark McLemore hit .472 in June, the best average in one month in Ranger history.