Washburn Learns, Angels Lose

The danger with young pitchers is sometimes they act their age.

Case in point: the Angels’ Jarrod Washburn.

He dominated the Minnesota Twins in his last start. OK, as an accomplishment that might not lift any eyebrows. But before that he toyed with the New York Yankees, looking every bit the young star the Angels want in their rotation.

Then came Friday’s 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. That Washburn lasted into the sixth inning was a positive note, considering how the Orioles handled him in front of 28,865 at Edison Field.

Washburn gave up eight hits, walked three and hit a batter in his 5 2/3 innings. That he left trailing only 3-0 was an indication he has learned a few things already.

Still, his performance came a day after Ramon Ortiz gave up five runs in three innings. Brian Cooper, tonight’s starter, lasted four innings in his last start.

Growing pains involving triplets can be frustrating. But, then, when you are in the Angels’ position--bottom feeding in the American League West--results aren’t everything.

“We’re not going anywhere, so it would be foolish not to finish the season with these guys,” said Joe Maddon, the Angels’ interim manager.

“We are going to give them every chance, and they will be times they fail. But they are also getting valuable major league experience.”

That might be important come next season, because the rotation the Angels started this season with is a giant question mark for the future.

Chuck Finley is 5-1 with a 1.51 earned-run average since not being traded on July 31, but he is a free agent at the end of the season.

Tim Belcher might not pitch again this season because of inflammation in his right elbow.

Ken Hill has been banished to the bullpen.

Steve Sparks has a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder.

Omar Olivares is having a great finish to the season, but he’s doing it in Oakland.

So the Angels can only hope that their kids will be all right.

“Any time you can get confidence, in any job, you do better,” Maddon said. “You start to get in a flow. Washburn has had two good starts, which was something to build on.”

Washburn showed some savvy Friday, wiggling out of trouble in the third and fourth inning.

The Orioles had runners on second and third with two out in the third, but B.J. Surhoff grounded out. They had a runner on second with two out in the fourth, but Gene Kingsale flew out.

“Jarrod has located his fastball in the strike zone better in his last couple starts,” Maddon said. “Even when he loses command a little bit, he comes right back with it. His breaking ball has been sharper, but he has been able to have command of the strike zone.”

It also doesn’t hurt to have some defensive help. Right fielder Tim Salmon made a sliding catch on Kingsale’s looper in the second and Jim Edmonds threw out Albert Belle at third in the fourth.

Washburn, though, couldn’t walk that tightrope all evening. In the fifth, the Orioles loaded the bases with no out, with Washburn helping out by walking Jerry Hairston and hitting Brady Anderson.

Mike Bordick then cleared the bases with a double to the wall in left-center field. It was plenty for pitcher Scott Erickson, who went 6 2/3 innings and is 7-0 lifetime against the Angels in Anaheim.