Angels Get Mixed News in 2-1 Victory

The Angels didn’t exactly take it easy on the college kids Sunday.

They started Chuck Finley and used Troy Percival for an inning in relief against Cal State Fullerton.

But it was meant as a fun day for the nationally ranked Titans, and an opportunity for some added work for the major leaguers before they open their season at home Tuesday against Cleveland.

The Angels won the game, 2-1, in front of 17,745 at Edison Field with Finley giving up only two hits and one unearned run in 5 1/3 innings.

Finley’s effort was the good news for the Angels. The bad news was that the team will start the season without center fielder Jim Edmonds, who was put on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to last last Tuesday because of a strained groin and irritated right shoulder.

“He’ll be ready as soon as that time is up,” Manager Terry Collins said. “When he’s out there we want to be sure he’s ready to play the way we know he can.”

That will leave Darin Erstad in left, Garret Anderson in center and Tim Salmon in right for the season opener. Edmonds has not played since last Monday and had an MRI Friday at the UC Irvine Medical Center. His injury occurred earlier in spring training during batting practice. Edmonds has been on the disabled list three times in the past, including twice in 1996 because of a sprained right thumb and a groin injury.

Regular shortstop Gary DiSarcina is out until the All-Star break because of a broken bone in his forearm.

It was the longest effort of the exhibition season for Finley, and Collins and Finley were pleased. It was the pitcher’s first outing since being hit on the left triceps by a line drive to the mound from Oakland’s Jason Giambi in an exhibition game last Wednesday in Tempe, Ariz.

“I thought he threw great,” Collins said. “He located his pitches, and used his curveball well. He got to 90 pitches and that’s what we wanted him to do.”

Collins said Finley would make his first start Friday against Texas.

“I thought I threw pretty well,” Finley said. “I hit a little bit of a dead area between 75 and 90 pitches, but it was fine. I’ve been pretty lucky.”

Angel pitcher Omar Olivares started for the Titans. He went four innings, giving up only one hit, one walk and no runs. Angel catcher Matt Walbeck caught for Fullerton.

The Titans had another a guest player--actor Kevin Costner. A Fullerton graduate, Costner played shortstop for the Titans through seven innings and pitched to two batters in bottom of the eighth. One was Collins, who went to the plate for a bit of fun after Costner struck out Jeb Daugherty for the third out. Collins grounded out.

Collins said he was pleased that Fullerton was able to take part in the exhibition. “It was a beautiful day and a great crowd.” he said. “We needed a game, and Fullerton gave it to us. We appreciated that.”

The Angels also set their roster for opening day.

They put outfielder Reggie Williams on the 15-day disabled list. Williams, who has a strained hamstring, is on the DL retroactive to March 29. Pitcher Jason Dickson also was listed on the DL for the start of the season, but there is doubt that he will pitch this season after surgery on his right shoulder.

Pitcher Scott Schoeneweis was recalled from triple-A Edmonton, and infielder Chris Pritchett was optioned to Edmonton. It is Pritchett’s final option year.

The Angels also purchased the minor league contracts of infielders Jeff Huson and Tim Unroe.

Two right-handed pitchers--Toby Borland and Mike Fyhrie--were returned to the minor league training camp along with catcher Steve Decker and infielder Keith Luuloa.