Like It or Not, Glaus Gets a Needed Day Off

By TIM BROWN

Aug. 2, 2000 12 AM PT

Troy Glaus ended July by striking out three times and grounding into a double play, concluding a month in which he batted .194.

While Manager Mike Scioscia insisted he saw a couple of sound swings from Glaus the night before, he rested Glaus on Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers.

Scott Spiezio, whose stirring three-run home run off Tiger closer Todd Jones ended Monday’s game, started at third base for the sixth time.

Glaus, an All-Star in his second full season, has 68 runs batted in and a team-high 31 homers, but also has 112 strikeouts, 41 in his last 32 games.

The sullen third baseman despises days off, and Scioscia admitted, “He’s still looking at me cross-eyed, but he’ll get over it.”

As Scioscia was explaining, Darin Erstad walked through the dugout and, in mock horror, shouted, “Oh, you benched him?”

As Glaus worked up a grin on the other side of the dugout, Scioscia said, laughing, “That’s the wrong word. It’s a day off.”

Glaus had an afternoon session with hitting instructor Mickey Hatcher.

“It’s important to Troy to give him the opportunity to take a breather,” Scioscia said.

Right-hander Al Levine, third on the club with 41 relief appearances, was placed on the disabled list Tuesday because of tendinitis in his right elbow.

Matt Wise, 9-6 with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 starts for triple-A Edmonton, was recalled and is expected to be in uniform today. Wise, a right-hander who attended Cal State Fullerton, will fill Levine’s role in middle relief.

Levine had given up at least one run in three of his last five appearances.

“It doesn’t look like it’s anything serious,” Scioscia said. “It’s been something he’s been managing for most of the year. It got past the point of his comfort level.”

Levine underwent a precautionary MRI exam Tuesday night.

Erstad was five for 22 in the first four games of the home stand but remained on pace to break George Sisler’s record of 257 hits in a season. Erstad had 171 hits in 106 games, a rate that would have him finish with 261 hits.

Erstad was the designated hitter Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. Ron Gant started in left field.

With 77 RBIs and two months to play, Erstad could become baseball’s first leadoff hitter with 100 RBIs. Tampa Bay’s Gerald Williams is also on pace to set the record.

Before General Manager Bill Stoneman traded pitcher Kent Bottenfield to Philadelphia, he had several discussions with the Dodgers, according to two baseball sources.

The Dodgers refused to part with right-hander Eric Gagne, however. As a result, Gant came to the Angels and Ismael Valdes returned to the Dodgers.

TODAY

ANGELS’

KEN HILL

(5-6, 6.56) ERA

vs.

TIGERS’

BRIAN MOEHLER

(6-7, 4.76 ERA)

Edison Field, 1

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