Good News/Bad News in Langston’s Effort

Two hanging curve balls turned what could have been an outstanding spring training start into a bit of a disappointment Tuesday for Mark Langston.

Both mistakes came with two outs in the fifth inning of the Angels’ 5-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Phoenix. The first was drilled by Damon Mashore for a two-run double and the second was nailed by Jason Giambi for an RBI single, as the A’s scored four runs on four hits in the inning.

“I had some people right where I wanted and didn’t finish them off,” said Langston, who will be the Angels’ opening-day starter. “I hung some breaking balls in crucial situations.”

Langston was sharp otherwise, giving up three hits and a run in his other five innings. With a six-inning stint Tuesday and two more spring starts, Langston should have the endurance to go eight innings by the season opener.

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The Angels made their first significant roster moves of the spring Tuesday, but neither was a surprise. Third baseman George Arias, who figured to lose his job when the Angels signed free agent Dave Hollins, was optioned to triple-A Vancouver, and reliever Greg Gohr was outrighted to Vancouver and off the 40-man roster.

Arias, who won the third-base job as a rookie last season with a tremendous spring-training performance, hit only .200 this spring, including an 0-for-4 game Tuesday. Gohr went 1-0 but had an 8.44 earned-run average and gave up three home runs in 10 2/3 innings.

Arias had to hit this spring to earn a spot on an Angel bench that is shaping up as a potential strength, considering many reserves have been outperforming the starters.

Most notable has been infielder Jack Howell (.419), outfielder Orlando Palmeiro (.375), first baseman Chris Pritchett (.367), infielder Fausto Cruz (.348) and outfielder Mike Wolff (.500).

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An eye doctor examined Chuck Finley (fractured bone below his right eye) Tuesday and found the pitcher to have no vision problems stemming from Saturday’s accident, in which he was struck in the face by a bat. . . . Todd Van Poppel retired all three batters he faced in the seventh inning Tuesday, and Mike Holtz struck out three of the four batters he faced in the eighth.