Call Him Airin’ Darin Erstad

Angel outfielder Darin Erstad was up to his old tricks Sunday, soaring through the air to rob Chicago’s Paul Konerko of extra bases with a remarkable diving catch in the seventh inning. The moment Konerko laced his drive into the gap in left center, Angel starter Scott Schoeneweis cursed himself for his mistake pitch.

But when Erstad sprinted toward the gap, launched his fully extended body into flight and made the catch just before crashing to the ground, Schoeneweis’ mood turned as quickly as Konerko did on his pitch.

“I made a bad pitch, and he immediately erased any bad feelings I had,” Schoeneweis said. “Ersty is such a great player. That just pumps you up. It pumps up the whole team. He’s the hardest-nosed player I’ve been around. I have the utmost respect for him.”

Diving catches are nothing new for Erstad, who also had three hits Sunday and now has a major league-leading 25. He’s a fearless defender who throws his body around the field like a professional wrestler. He made a similar play, only diving to his backhand side, to rob Boston’s Nomar Garciaparra of a double April 9 at Edison Field.

The only difference was Sunday’s catch was made as a center fielder. He was in center because Garret Anderson was sidelined because of a sore left ankle. He suffered the injury when he singled in his first at-bat Saturday. He’ll be sidelined for a day or two.

Erstad, who played center field in high school and college but has made only six starts there in the past three seasons, moved from left field and looked very comfortable in center. Would Manager Mike Scioscia consider keeping Erstad in center and returning Anderson to left, where Anderson has spent most of his Angel career?

“Garret Anderson is our center fielder,” Scioscia said. “I think he’s comfortable there, and he gives us a solid outfield. Garret throws a little better and he’s more accurate, though Darin charges balls hard and has a quick release. But in our estimation, Garret is a better fit in center right now.”

*

The Angels are 7-5 after their first 12 games and have turned a few heads with their solid starting pitching. They don’t have a sense whether opponents are underestimating them or not, but first baseman Mo Vaughn said perception of the Angels around the league, especially after last year’s dissension-racked season, has changed.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘You guys have a good mixture of players, good chemistry,’ and there’s a different feel,” Vaughn said.

Pointing at Scioscia in the clubhouse Sunday, Vaughn said: “That guy right there does not mess around when it comes to things between the lines. There’s a sense of urgency here, where you know you have to be prepared, and that’s a nice feeling to have in the dugout.”

*

Scioscia considered using Anderson as the designated hitter Sunday. “But he really can’t plant and turn like he wants to,” he said. “You don’t want to mess around with his swing.” . . . Shortstop Gary DiSarcina, on the disabled list because of a bruised left thumb, took ground balls for the first time since his injury Sunday and is taking one-handed swings at soft toss. He is eligible to be activated April 24.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Toronto Blue Jays, four games.

* Site--SkyDome, Toronto.

* Today--4 p.m. PDT.

* Record vs. Blue Jays--2-1.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight and Thursday night.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090) today and Thursday; KCTD (1540), KIK-FM (94.3) Tuesday and Wednesday.

* Records--Angels 7-5, Blue Jays 4-9.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

RAMON

ORTIZ

(1-0, 3.60 ERA)

vs.

BLUE JAYS’

KELVIM

ESCOBAR

(0-2, 8.31 ERA)

* Update--Ortiz, diagnosed with a slight tear in his labrum in spring training, will be making his second start after giving up two runs on seven hits in five innings of his 2000 debut against the Blue Jays last Tuesday. Toronto was supposed to have one of the league’s better pitching staffs, but the Blue Jays were battered for 47 runs in a three-game series sweep by the Mariners over the weekend. Mo Vaughn snapped an 0-for-13 skid with a first-inning double Sunday.

* Tuesday, 4 p.m.--Jason Dickson (1-0, 2.77) vs. Frank Castillo (0-1, 6.52).

* Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Ken Hill (1-2, 4.80) vs. David Wells (1-1, 4.50).

* Thursday, 4 p.m.--Kent Bottenfield (1-1, 2.41) vs. Roy Halladay (1-2, 8.04).