Arias Learning the Hard Way

George Arias hit 30 home runs and made 29 errors at double-A Midland last season, and the knock on him was that, while his bat might be major league material, he may not have the defensive skills to make it as a third baseman.

So what happens when Arias reaches the big leagues this season? He has made several spectacular plays and only eight errors in 70 games, but he is batting .233 with five homers and 24 RBIs. He has 44 strikeouts, 15 walks and a .283 on-base percentage.

“Up here they find your weakness and keep picking on it until you hit it,” Arias said. “But I’m a stubborn hitter. I keep trying to pull balls because that’s my strength, but I’ve got to learn to go the other way.”

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Center fielder Jim Edmonds apologized to interim Manager Joe Maddon for his critical remarks after Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Indians. “In the heat of the moment guys sometimes say things,” Maddon said. “I don’t take issue with that.” . . . If catcher Chris Turner, who sprained his ankle Monday night, doesn’t play again this season, he’ll finish with a 1.000 average, one single in one at-bat. “That sure would look good on the stat sheet--I may just sit on that,” Turner said. “I’ve mastered the game for a year.”