Collins: At First, Erstad Has Succeeded

Darin Erstad says he is “pretty pleased” with the way he has played first base after half a season at the position. Manager Terry Collins is obviously more than pleased.

“Forget about using the word ‘converted’ anymore,” Collins said of the former outfielder. “He’s a first baseman now and an outstanding one. He’s got great hands and athleticism and he bounces all over the place out there.

“And now he’s digging balls out of the dirt like a guy who’s been playing there a long, long time.”

Erstad maintains he still has a lot to learn.

“I’m just trying to improve every day,” he said, “but at least I’m starting to feel like I know where I should be in most situations.”

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Designated hitter Eddie Murray will test his injured right wrist tonight with Lake Elsinore when the Class-A Storm plays at High Desert. Murray has been on the disabled list since June 12 because of tendinitis in the wrist.

“It should be interesting,” said Murray, who has not had an at-bat in the minors since 1976.

The length of the rehabilitation assignment is yet to be determined.

“We’ll just see how it goes and go from there,” Collins said.

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Reliever Mike James, on the disabled list because of an inflamed right elbow, was hoping to be able to return to the roster Friday, but Collins said “it looks like it will be another week.”

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Collins thinks defense has been a key--if overlooked--factor in the Angels’ recent success. He compares the way this team is playing in the field to the team he managed in Houston that finished a half-game out of first in the NL Central in 1994.

“We won that year because we caught the ball,” he said. “It was really that simple. Making the plays, especially on the routine balls, on a daily basis is what wins baseball games.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Detroit Tigers, two games.

* Site--Anaheim Stadium.

* Tonight--7:30.

* TV--Fox Sports West tonight and Thursday.

* Radio--KTZN (710)

* Records--Angels 50-42, Tigers 43-48.

* Record vs. Tigers--2-3

TONIGHT’S GAME

ANGELS’ CHUCK FINLEY (6-6, 4.71 ERA) vs. TIGERS’ BRIAN MOEHLER (6-7, 4.20)

* Update--Winning seven consecutive games certainly has a positive effect on a team’s confidence level. “We go out there expecting that, after nine innings, we’ll be on top, so we don’t get frustrated,” Tony Phillips said after the Angels relinquished a three-run lead in the eighth inning Monday night and then rallied in the ninth to beat Texas. “It’s a really good feeling.” The Tigers don’t figure to come into town feeling especially peppy. They had to go 12 innings to beat Boston, 7-5, Tuesday night. Finley, who was 3-6 with a 5.71 ERA on June 27, has won three in a row. He gave up seven hits and walked four in six innings against Oakland Saturday, but gave up only one run and picked up a victory. Moehler pitched his first career complete game and shutout--a two-hitter--against the Angels on April 26. Detroit is 4-1 in his last five starts. He has walked more than two batters only twice in his last 10 outings.

* Thursday, 7 p.m.--Dennis Springer (4-3, 5.81) vs. Felipe Lira (5-6, 5.50).