Angel Hitters Enjoy Domed Fun Zone

Tropicana Field, where according to Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina they play “Arena Baseball,” is going to do wonders for hitters’ psyches in years to come.

They just have to avoid the oddities.

The Angels made the most of the benefits Saturday in a 7-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in front of 33,395. Ken Hill--who left because of a stiff elbow in the eighth inning--got his fourth victory, tying him for the American League lead.

By the time the Angels were done in the domed fun zone, they had hit balls that skidded on the artificial turf so fast infielders have feared for their safety and hit others over fences in the power alleys so short anyone is a threat.

“This place is like a pinball machine,” DiSarcina said.

But Tropicana giveth and taketh away.

What may have been the longest home run in Jim Edmonds’ career turned into a long double when it struck a catwalk 110 feet above the ground in right-center field. The ball landed in play and was live under the ground rules.

“They told us that the ball is in play, so I figure it was going to happen eventually,” said Edmonds, who also doubled off the center-field fence above the 415-foot sign. “I just wish it wouldn’t have happened to me.”

Edmonds isn’t the first. Frank Thomas hit one off the catwalk in left field on April 4, with the ball ricocheting into the seats in foul territory. Sympathetic umpires gave him the home run, contrary to the rules--it should have been a foul ball.

Edmonds, though, received no kind ruling, just some understanding from his boss.

“At the end of the year, if it hurts his contract, if he has 29 homers, we’ll talk about the one in Tampa,” Angel Manager Terry Collins said.

“This park is going to really be something to play in. You better make some pitches here because it’s quick and unique.”

Hill (4-1) did, holding the Devil Rays to five hits in 7 2/3 innings. He retired 15 of 16 batters, mostly on ground outs, before giving up a single to Aaron Ledesma with two out in the eighth.

He left because of stiffness, as had happened in his previous start against Baltimore. It’s a problem left over from the Angels’ long layoff in New York two weeks ago, when damage to Yankee Stadium left Hill idle for seven days.

“I get a little stiffness when I sit for a long time,” Hills said. “I want to take care of it and not worry about.”

Besides, there were other things to worry about, like Tropicana Field.

On Friday, Hill watched Wilson Alvarez last one inning in a 10-3 Angel victory. Alvarez had dominated the Angels in Anaheim, giving up one run in seven innings.

“I think Alvarez changed his game plan yesterday,” Hill said. “When he pitched at our place, he was aggressive. Last night, he pitched totally backward. I pitch my game regardless of what ballpark I’m in.”

Thus the advantages went to the Angels, who had 11 hits, six for extra bases.

Dave Hollins, mired in a slump, and Garret Anderson, a self-professed non-home-run hitter, launched balls over the left and right field fences, respectively.

Hollins’ home run broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning and ended a 0-for-11 streak, during which he hadn’t hit the ball out of the infield. Anderson’s was his first this season and capped a five-run eighth that broke open a 2-1 game.

“There aren’t too many things here that keep you from getting a hit,” Anderson said.

Even catwalks?

“You get hits from them too, if they don’t catch the ball,” Anderson said.

Darin Erstad benefited from the fast turf, as he lined a ball into center field and ended up with a triple when it skipped to the fence. DiSarcina, who had singled, scored to get the Angels’ five-run inning rolling.

“I’d like to hit here for 81 games,” said Cecil Fielder, who had two hits and drove in three runs. “Just stay away from those catwalks.”