Etherton Back in the Middle of Rotation and Pennant Race

The notion struck Seth Etherton as he walked into Dodger Stadium.

“It’s remarkable being here,” he said, “just two years out of college.”

He meant the ballpark.

He might have mentioned the big leagues, as well, along with the pennant race.

The Angels’ first pick in the June 1998 draft from USC, Etherton has a critical part in keeping the club close to Oakland and Seattle in the American League West.

Pitching in the rotation after veterans Ken Hill and Kent Bottenfield, Etherton will start today against the Dodgers. He precedes Jarrod Washburn and rookie Brian Cooper.

Scott Schoeneweis, who made a rehabilitation start for Lake Elsinore on Friday night, and Tim Belcher are on the disabled list. Schoeneweis is expected to beat Belcher back.

“I really don’t know what’s going on right now,” Etherton said. “I think they have some ideas, but I’m just here to enjoy it every day.

“I know they’re excited about the young guys. But I’m taking someone’s spot now. And I know he’ll be back soon.”

Etherton, a right-hander, has worked with pitching coach Bud Black to establish three pitches--fastball, curve and changeup--that he could throw for strikes. He won three of four decisions in six starts his last time through.

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Reserve catcher Matt Walbeck continued to suffer from a stomach ailment, but he took his scheduled start Friday night.

Asked if he felt any better, Walbeck shook his head and said, “Not really. Shaky.”

In the second inning against Kevin Brown, Walbeck lined a two-out, run-scoring single into right-center.

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When Darin Erstad was a youngster in Jamestown, N.D., he occasionally played shortstop.

But only because the shortstop had to pitch.

At Babe Ruth League age, the best athletes play the difficult positions, no matter which hand they throw with.

With that as his experience, Erstad stood at shortstop Thursday night and made the play that extended the game another batter, and nearly bought the Angels another inning.

“There’s a reason why your infielders are right-handed,” Erstad said, laughing. “But, it worked.”

Manager Mike Scioscia has employed his five-infielder defensive alignment three times. For the first time, it kept the game-winning run from scoring.

With a runner on third with one out, Erstad gathered Kevin Elster’s grounder, turned awkwardly and made a low throw to Mo Vaughn, who scooped a medium hop and tagged Elster.

“For me, it makes sense to put some pressure on the offense,” said Scioscia, who first saw the defense as a Dodger minor leaguer. “Why guard against a fly ball?”

Scioscia said he has seen it work many times before.

“I’m not reinventing the wheel on that thing,” he said.

A solid first baseman last season, Erstad has been the outfielder summoned on all three occasions. This was the first time the ball found him.

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Unable to secure enough hotel rooms Saturday night in San Diego for their traveling party, the Angels will not bus south for their series against the Padres until Sunday morning. Game time is 2 p.m.

Despite Friday’s night game, only eight Angels stayed near Dodger Stadium for today’s 1 p.m. start.