Erstad’s Return to Starting Lineup Could Be Tonight

Help could be on the way for the punchless Angels, who are holding out hope that first baseman Darin Erstad, sidelined since Sept. 2 because of a left hamstring strain, could return to the starting lineup tonight.

“It might be [tonight], it might be [Monday night] when Texas comes to Anaheim, it might be the last series of the season--it’s day to day,” Erstad said. “If I make some more progress, we’ll see.”

Erstad ran hard before Wednesday’s game for the first time since the injury, and he pinch-hit in the ninth inning, striking out against closer John Wetteland.

“It’s obvious I’m not 100%,” Erstad said. “I’m not going to be stealing any bases. My big thing is being able to score from second on a hit. That’s something I have to work on. I can’t clog up the bases.”

Daily strength tests show that Erstad has made steady progress over the last five days, and Manager Terry Collins believes with another day of treatments he could be ready for tonight’s game.

“But we still have another 10 games after this series, and three more games against Texas,” Collins said. “I have to have him for those games. We could lose this series and be down by a game or two, but we can’t be two or three games back without Darin.”

Erstad has taken batting practice for several days and feels no pain when he swings. He doesn’t think the injury will hinder him on defense.

“It all comes down to running--what’s good enough?” Erstad said. “It’s a decision Terry has to make. I think you can figure out what my input is going to be, but I’m not going to lie to him. I’m not going to play if I’m going to hurt the team. If I can help, I’ll make every effort to be in there.”

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The late July trades that brought pitcher Todd Stottlemyre, shortstop Royce Clayton and third baseman Todd Zeile to Texas didn’t seem to have much impact on the Rangers, who were expected to run away with the American League West but spent the past month in second place, behind the Angels.

But that trio helped vault the Rangers into a tie for the division lead Wednesday night, Stottlemyre giving up one run in eight innings for the win, Clayton going two for four with a double and two runs batted in and Zeile going two for four with an RBI in Texas’ 5-3 victory over the Angels.

“I keep hearing how bad we are, that we should be 10 games ahead, and that our players are underachieving,” Ranger Manager Johnny Oates said. “The only way we can redeem ourselves is to go out and win this thing. It’s the best-of-11 now.”

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Ranger reserve Mike Simms, a former Anaheim Esperanza High standout, doubled twice against Chuck Finley and is five for 12 with two homers and five RBIs against Angel left-handers this season. . . . Omar Olivares, who threw six strong innings against Tampa Bay Monday night, will start Sunday against Seattle. . . . The Angels will recall minor leaguer Ben Molina today as an emergency catcher after Charlie O’Brien broke the index finger on his right hand Tuesday.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ STEVE SPARKS (9-3, 4.17 ERA) vs. RANGERS’ RICK HELLING (19-7, 4.30 ERA)

Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, 5 p.m.

TV--Channel 9

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

* Update--Helling will attempt to become only the third pitcher to win 20 games in the 38-year history of the Washington/Texas franchise. The only other 20-game winners were Ferguson Jenkins in 1974 and Kevin Brown in 1992.