James Strikes Out Big With Vaughn

Move over Troy Percival vs. Frank Thomas. The latest feud between sensitive American League slugger and emotional Angel reliever features Mo Vaughn vs. Mike James. It began Tuesday, when James struck out Vaughn with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning.

“I’m not sure what he said, but he pumped his fist and said something,” Vaughn said. “I don’t show anyone up, but if I hit a bomb off him tonight, I’m going to stand there until it bounces off the seats.”

James admitted he “screamed” after the strikeout but denied saying anything specific. “It was an intense situation, bases loaded, close game, and I let it out,” James said. “Mo’s a great guy. If it was something personal, I would have stood there and yelled at him.”

James, who hit Boston catcher Mike Stanley in the head with a pitch earlier this season, said he did not intend to show up Vaughn.

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Center fielder Jim Edmonds spent 15 days on the disabled list from May 26-June 9 because of an abdomen strain and sat out from June 13-July 17 because of a sprained ligament in his right thumb. Now Edmonds has a slight tear in his shoulder joint, and will need surgery this off-season. . . . Jim Abbott, who threw a seven-hitter for triple-A Vancouver Tuesday and lost, 1-0, will make one more start Sunday before re-joining the Angel rotation for the next trip.