No Doubt They Miss Erstad

While the Angels were completing batting practice Sunday, first baseman Darin Erstad was getting some face time with two U.S. senators from his home state, Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), who were in Camden Yards for the game against the Orioles.

Angel Manager Terry Collins would have preferred to have Erstad in the batting cage, preparing to play. But a hamstring injury has sidelined Erstad since Sept. 2, and it’s obvious the Angels are feeling his pain.

In eight games without the versatile Erstad, they’ve reached double figures in hits just once and have only 11 extra-base hits, six of them Sunday. They’ve scored 30 runs, an average of 3.75 a game.

“The way he plays the game, his energy, means a lot to us,” Collins said of the left-handed Erstad. “He hits right-handed pitchers and left-handed pitchers. When he walks to the plate, he always has a chance to create something. But he’s not there.

“He’s one of those guys who typifies our team, with the way he prepares for games. I have no doubt in my mind that if I told him he was playing third base tomorrow, all he’d say is, ‘What kind of glove should I use?’ ”

Erstad was sidelined from Aug. 4-18 because of a hamstring injury, and the Angels went 8-5 in his absence. They’ve had a rougher time this month, going 3-5 since he was injured.

Collins hopes to have his No. 3 hitter back when the Angels start a six-game homestand against Seattle and Texas on Friday. In the past three games, the No. 3 spot has produced only two hits in 13 at-bats.

“We’re having a little trouble in the three hole,” Collins said. “We’re not going to have anyone hit there today. We’ll just skip it.”

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Just what the Angels need, another injury. Ken Hill, scheduled to pitch today against Tampa Bay, has been scratched because of inflammation in his right elbow, and his next start was pushed to Friday.

Omar Olivares, who gave up only one run on four hits in 4 2/3 innings of relief in Wednesday night’s 10-8 victory over Minnesota, will replace Hill, who has made three starts since returning from June 15 elbow surgery.

“I just want to give him a couple extra days to rest up,” Collins said of Hill. “This is more of a post-operative, arthritic condition, and I think he’ll be fine with time.”

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One Angel highlight Sunday was Garret Anderson’s throw from the right-field corner to second base to cut down Harold Baines, who had grounded what looked like a sure double down the line.

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina caught the ball just above the second-base bag and didn’t have to move his glove to tag out Baines. “That was definitely one of the better throws I’ve made in my life,” Anderson said.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Tampa Bay Devil Rays, two games.

* Site--Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.

* Tonight--4 p.m.

* TV--None.

* Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 80-68, Devil Rays 58-89.

* Record vs. Devil Rays--5-4.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ OMAR OLIVARES (8-8, 4.00 ERA) vs. DEVIL RAYS’ WILSON ALVAREZ (6-13, 4.54 ERA)