Watson Charged With Assault

A rare Friday off turned ugly for Angel pitcher Allen Watson, who was charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a man during an argument at Harrah’s Riverboat Casino in Liberty, Mo., early Friday morning.

The offense, which stemmed from a dispute with Willie Pulse, 26, of Parkville, Mo., is punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and a year in jail. Angel pitcher Chuck Finley was with Watson when the incident occurred but was not charged.

“The whole thing got out of hand, but no one was hurt,” Watson said. “It was pretty minor, just a little scuffle. Everything should be resolved.”

Watson said he will have a court date sometime in June but declined further comment.

Clay County prosecutor Michael E. Reardon told the Associated Press that Pulse was charged with misdemeanor peace disturbance for allegedly bothering Watson and Finley by “offensive and indecent language which is likely to produce an immediate violent response from a reasonable recipient.”

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were called to the casino about 4:45 a.m. Friday, Reardon said. He said the troopers then reviewed a videotape that allegedly showed Pulse, Watson and Finley arguing.

Watson then allegedly reached over and struck Pulse in the face, Reardon said. Watson was released from the Clay County jail Friday after posting bond. Bond for Pulse, who was not taken into custody, was set at $5,000.

Angel spokesman Bill Robertson said Friday night, “We are withholding any comment until all the facts are presented to us.”

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Tests on closer Troy Percival’s shoulder revealed no damage to the right-hander’s rotator cuff, and doctors believe Percival’s injury is strictly a nerve problem. Percival is having heat and massage treatments and doing some weightlifting to reduce inflammation and build up strength.

Percival, eligible to come off the disabled list Tuesday, says he’s strong enough to make a rehabilitation appearance at Class-A Lake Elsinore in the next few days.

But General Manager Bill Bavasi would rather wait until Percival is 100% ready before activating him to avoid another setback. Percival is 0-2 with a 20.30 earned-run average in three 1997 appearances.

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Left fielder Garret Anderson has been the Angels’ most consistent hitter this season, batting .328 and getting hits in 11 of 14 games. Yet against left-handed starters, Collins has dropped Anderson from his customary fifth or sixth spot to No. 8.

“I wish I could tell you why I do it,” Collins said. “When I’m writing in the lineup [against left-handers], I start with the leadoff guy, then I want a few right-handed hitters like [Luis] Alicea and [Dave] Hollins up high.

“Then we have Tim [Salmon] in the cleanup spot, and I like to have [Jim] Leyritz behind him. Then there’s [Jim] Edmonds and [Eddie] Murray. . . . It’s not any punishment or because I don’t think Garret can hit left-handers. It’s just the way the lineup turns out those days.”

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Kansas City reliever Jeff Montgomery, trying to recover from rotator cuff surgery last September, is off to a very slow start and will probably be put on the disabled list so he can make some minor league rehabilitation appearances. The right-hander has given up eight runs and 10 hits, including three homers, in 4 1/3 innings for a 16.62 ERA. . . . Royal designated hitter Chili Davis, acquired from the Angels for Mark Gubicza last winter, returned to the lineup Monday after missing about three weeks because of a slight tear in his left quadriceps. He’s batting .357 with one RBI in five games.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Kansas City Royals, two games.

* Site--Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

* Tonight--5 PDT.

* TV--Channel 9.

* Radio--KTZN (710).

* Records--Angels 6-8, Royals 6-7.

* Record vs. Royals (1996)--4-8.

TONIGHT’S GAME

ANGELS’ MARK LANGSTON (1-1, 3.18 ERA) vs. KEVIN APPIER (1-0, 3.05 ERA)

* Update--Langston, showing no signs of the knee injury that cut his 1996 season short last August, has pitched well in all three of his starts but has only one victory. Appier is the ace of a pitching staff that ranks third in the American League with a 3.70 earned-run average, and the right-hander has been traditionally tough on the Angels, with a 9-4 record and 3.15 ERA in 17 games. Hipolito Pichardo has replaced Montgomery as Kansas City’s closer and already has three saves. The Royals will be without second baseman Jose Offerman, on the disabled list because of a strained groin.

* Sunday, 11 a.m.--The Angels’ Jason Dickson (2-0, 3.10 ERA) vs. Glendon Rusch (2-0, 1.20 ERA).