Switch to Smaller Bat Produces Big Results

Rickey Henderson’s bat hasn’t been working too well for Rickey Henderson lately, but it did wonders for Gary DiSarcina on Saturday. The Angel shortstop, using one of Henderson’s bats, had three singles and a double in a 7-5 loss to Detroit, breaking out of a 1-for-25 slump.

“His bats are a half-inch smaller than mine, and when I picked one up it felt good, so I went with it,” DiSarcina said. “Sometimes when you’re struggling it’s just good to change.

“The last two weeks have been tough. You go through phases when you’re hitting the ball good and nothing will fall, or you’ll get yourself out with weak at-bats. I finally decided to stop analyzing my mechanics and just swing, and whatever happens, happens.”

Unfortunately for the Angels, DiSarcina accounted for almost half of their nine hits. The Angels, who have gone 10 consecutive games without reaching double figures in hits, are batting only .210 with 33 runs in those 10 games, eight of which have been losses.

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Not only have the Angels lost ground to the Seattle Mariners in the American League West this week, they have also missed an opportunity to close the gap on the New York Yankees in the wild-card race. The Yankees have lost six in a row but are still six games ahead of the Angels.

“There’s a sense we have to get our house in order,” Yankee pitcher David Cone said after Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Baltimore. “Then you scoreboard watch and see Anaheim isn’t putting any pressure on us.”

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The Angels sent out for some reinforcements Saturday night, recalling pitchers Matt Perisho and Mike Bovee and utility infielder Robert Eenhoorn from triple-A Vancouver, which was eliminated from the Pacific Coast League playoffs. All three are expected to join the team in Detroit today.

In addition, outfielder Orlando Palmeiro, on the disabled list since Aug. 22 because of back spasms, will be activated today. To make room for the players on the 40-man roster, the Angels returned Randy Velarde to the 60-day disabled list.