Belcher’s New Approach? He Won

It was only one game. Still, the way pitcher Tim Belcher has started this season, his victory Friday night was important--too important to talk much about.

Belcher went 6 2/3 innings, giving up two runs in an 8-3 Angel victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. It was only the third time he has gone beyond the fifth inning this season.

“He and I talked about making good pitches instead of the perfect pitch,” pitching coach Dick Poole said.

Belcher threw a lot of good ones, holding the Devil Rays scoreless for six innings before John Flaherty hit a two-run homer in the seventh. But there was no need to bask in the victory, not with a hefty 8.78 earned-run average.

Belcher, whom the Angels signed to a two-year, $10.2 million contract, was not around after the game, nor did he have time for more than a quip Saturday.

“What did I do different?” he said. “I won.”

He had nothing else to say to reporters, although there was a little more to his success.

“He kept his fastball down,” catcher Matt Walbeck said. “The only mistake he made was to Flaherty. He used his splitter a little more and he placed 90% of them right where he wanted them.

“He really kept his composure, even when he had trouble in the first. He calmed down after that and threw a great game.”

Third baseman Troy Glaus helped Belcher out of that bases-loaded jam in the first, short-hopping a vicious line drive by Herbert Perry and turning it into a double play.

“When things are going bad for a guy, that ball goes down the line,” Poole said. “When things are going good, it’s a double play. Maybe that changed Tim’s karma.”

*

Todd Greene finished his three-game suspension Saturday and the time off was not enjoyable. In fact, it made him restless.

Greene, who was not allowed to sit in the dugout during the suspension, spent time in the press box and did a couple of innings in the TV booth during Friday’s game. He also wandered the stadium for a time.

“A couple people recognized me and said hi,” Greene said.

So where’s the best vantage point in the stadium?

“The dugout,” Greene said.

He probably won’t be spending much time there even after being reinstated. Greene said he will catch today and play right field Tuesday against Baltimore. It’s a position Greene figured not to see this year, with the surplus of quality outfielders the Angels once had.

Things have changed since right fielder Tim Salmon (strained wrist) has joined Jim Edmonds (shoulder surgery) on the disabled list.

Still, it won’t be totally new experience. Greene was a right fielder in the minors before being converted to catcher. He played 11 games in left field last season.

Greene got reacquainted with right field, shagging balls during early batting practice Saturday.

“It’s an adjustment, but I played left field a year ago,” Greene said. “That’s the toughest outfield position.”

Why?

“I don’t know, but I have played them both and it is,” Greene said.

*

General Manager Bill Bavasi said he has every confidence in his team, which has several reserves filling in for key starters.

With Salmon, Edmonds and Gary DiSarcina out for an extended period, the Angels have had to rely on Andy Sheets, Orlando Palmeiro and Tim Unroe, among others.

“I’m very comfortable with this group,” Bavasi said. “Nothing is going to change. It is no different then in past years. I think these guys can keep us together until the big guys get back.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ STEVE SPARKS (1-3, 5.12 ERA)

vs.

DEVIL RAYS’ WILSON ALVAREZ (1-2, 3.04 ERA)

Edison Field, 5 p.m.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090)

* Update--Palmeiro had hit safely in six of seven games before Saturday and had five hits in his last 10 at-bats. “Our reserve players have done a hell of a job and Orlando has been outstanding,” Manager Terry Collins said. Alvarez has 20 walks and 22 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.