BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : Pitcher Ellis Could Be Record-Breaker

When pitcher Robert Ellis, one of five players called up from triple-A Vancouver today, makes his Angel debut, he’ll be the 28th Angel to pitch this season, breaking the previous record of 27 pitchers, set by the 1915 Philadelphia Athletics, 1955 Kansas City Athletics, 1967 New York Mets and 1995 Florida Marlins.

“That’s a definite achievement,” interim Manager Joe Maddon said.

Ellis, acquired from the White Sox for catcher Pat Borders on July 27, went 2-3 with a 3.25 earned-run average in seven Vancouver starts. Joining him on the call-up list will be pitcher Jim Abbott, who will start Sunday at Minnesota, outfielder Darin Erstad, reliever Jeff Schmidt and first baseman Chris Pritchett.

Abbott, who gave up four runs on four hits and walked seven Sunday in his last Vancouver start--a no-decision--will take Jason Dickson’s spot in the rotation for now. Abbott is 1-15 for the Angels this season.

Erstad (.275, 27 runs, 17 RBIs in 41 games) and Schmidt (2-0, 7.88 ERA in nine games) have already played with the Angels this season. The addition of Pritchett (.295, 39 doubles, 16 homers, 73 RBIs for Vancouver) fuels speculation the Angels are exploring first-base alternatives should they trade J.T. Snow this winter.

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Closer Troy Percival was still fuming over the war of words that erupted after his brush-back pitch to New York’s Mariano Duncan Sunday. “What do they expect us to do, put it on a tee so they can hit it?” Percival said. “They get upset when we throw inside, but it’s a hard-nosed game, that’s the way it’s played.” . . . To make room for Ellis or Pritchett on the 40-man roster, the Angels have requested waivers on reliever Rich Monteleone for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. Another roster move will have to be made today. . . . Entering Monday night’s game, the Angels had given up a single-season team record of 812 runs, breaking the previous mark of 803, set in 1987. They had also given up a record 733 earned runs, breaking the 1980 mark of 717.