McDowell’s Elbow May Be a Real Pain

The Angels’ joy from taking a third consecutive game from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays--with pitching, defense and, yes, the daring base running of Cecil Fielder--was tempered by one thing.

Pitcher Jack McDowell left after three innings with what was described as “achy-ness” in his right elbow.

Thus the 2-1 victory Sunday in front of 26,882 at Tropicana Field was overshadowed some. McDowell, who missed much of last season after arthroscopic surgery in the same elbow, will return to Southern California today to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum and undergo an MRI.

“It’s not like its smoking sore,” McDowell said. “It’s not like I felt anything happen on a pitch. It’s a little achy. I’ve pitched with worse.”

These days, though, a little achy is enough for some concern around the Angel clubhouse.

Outfielder Tim Salmon (strained ligament) will have his injured left foot examined today. Catcher Todd Greene (shoulder) and second baseman Randy Velarde (elbow) continued their extended springs Saturday, as they are still rehabilitating from surgeries.

Medical and rehab updates seem to be as numerous as scouting reports.

“Jack said there was a little throbbing, but he wanted to work through it,” Manager Terry Collins said. “I told him that it was too early in the season and he was too important.”

McDowell’s history was part of that concern. His surgery last spring made some teams cautious about signing him as a free agent during the off-season. Until Sunday, McDowell had pitched well and experienced no problems.

“I was erratic out there tonight,” said McDowell, who walked two and gave up four hits. “That hasn’t happened this year.”

Collins went to the mound in the third, but McDowell talked him into staying. He pulled him after the inning.

“He wanted no part of coming out,” Collins said. “I appreciate that, but I can’t take the chance.”

On the bright side, there were no concerns later about closer Troy Percival, who had a tender elbow after pitching Wednesday. He set the Devil Rays down 1-2-3 in the ninth, hitting 97 on the radar gun, for his fifth save.

It closed out a solid performance by the bullpen, as Omar Olivares, Rich Robertson, Mike James and Percival combined to shut out the Devil Rays the final six innings. Olivares, though, needed some help.

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina prevented a run from scoring in the fourth, when he dove to his right to stop a grounder by Kevin Stocker with runners at first and third. DiSarcina got a force out at second, preserving the Angels 2-1 lead.

Olivares, who got the victory, helped himself in the fifth, after Jim Edmonds’ throwing error allowed Miguel Cairo to go to third. Olivares retrieved the ball and threw out Dave Martinez, who had singled and attempted to take second to the play. Paul Sorrento flew out to end the inning.

Fielder, who singled, doubled and drove in three runs Saturday, looped a fly ball that dropped in shallow right field, near the foul line. He never hesitated and made second base, stumbling only a little.

“We all talk about him being a big man and he’s not fast,” Collins said. “But he has good base running instincts.”

Which he demonstrated again. Damon Mashore dumped a single into center field and Fielder was off again, scoring easily from second.

“The man was waving me in,” Fielder said. “‘I couldn’t stop.”

His effort was necessary, as the Angel offense, which had produced 17 runs in the first two games, struggled against former Angel pitcher Dennis Springer and his knuckleball.

Springer gave up six hits, but one was a home run to Edmonds on the first pitch in the third. It came a day after he lost a homer, when his mammoth shot hit a catwalk in right center and fell for a double.