Dodgers Can’t Cross Jason Dickson Line

Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina was pleased with the new “big league” infield in the partially renovated Anaheim Stadium. Relief pitcher Chuck McElroy admired the two 60-inch televisions in the team’s clubhouse.

But outfielder Tim Salmon saw a bigger picture in it. The grass, to him, is greener.

“This is a fresh start,” Salmon said. “The stadium is better. We have different uniforms. We want to put as much distance between us and last season as we can.”

The Angels on Saturday seemed miles from the team that had the second-worst record in the American League a year ago. They got solid pitching, timely hitting and took advantage of mistakes in a 5-1 victory over the Dodgers before 31,897.

Who are these guys?

Jason Dickson, who was 1-4 in seven starts last season, went six innings, working out of one jam after another. He gave up seven hits, but only one run, and struck out five.

Orlando Palmeiro and DiSarcina had back-to-back, two-out singles in a two-run sixth. Palmeiro even had a stolen base--the Angels had the fewest in the league last season--before DiSarcina’s single to left.

Errors by Todd Zeile and Mike Piazza and a wild pitch by Tom Candiotti did not go to waste. The Angels turned those mistakes into two fourth-inning runs.

So, in their first game in half-renovated, half-disheveled Anaheim Stadium, the Angels did seem fresh. The only glitch was the absence of outfielder Jim Edmonds, who was pulled from Friday’s game because of a slight strain in his right thigh. He is expected to start today.

“We have a whole new look,” Manager Terry Collins said. “I hope the attitude is better.”

If nothing else, the pitching was better Saturday.

Dickson, who has gone from spring training hopeful to the Angels’ No. 2 starter, was in trouble early and often, yet the Dodgers couldn’t come up with a big hit.

“It’s definitely surprising,” Dickson said. “It seems whatever can go right has gone right. If there are lucky breaks to be caught, I’m catching them.”

The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the first, but Dickson got Eric Karros and Zeile to pop up.

Singles by Wilton Guerrero and Piazza gave the Dodgers runners on first and third with one out in the third. Dickson struck out Karros and got Zeile to ground out.

Brett Butler and Guerrero singled to start the fifth. Dickson retired Raul Mondesi, Piazza--on a strikeout--and Karros, three rookies of the year, to end the inning.

“I like him because he doesn’t give in,” Collins said of Dickson. “He’s fun to watch. He stays composed and has confidence in what he’s doing. He’s done that all spring. He’s legit.”