Hill Presents Quite a Dilemma

Every time Ken Hill pitches well, as he did when he gave up one run and four hits and struck out eight in six innings of the Angels’ 3-2 victory over the Padres on Tuesday, his value goes up. But to whom?

Will it be to the Angels, who need such performances from a healthy Hill to win the American League West and would benefit from Hill’s extensive experience in pennant races past?

Or will it be to some other contender who is willing to risk a prime prospect or two, the types of players General Manager Bill Stoneman covets, in a bold July trade for the often-injured Hill?

Barring some phenomenal finish, the Angels will not pick up Hill’s $6-million option for 2001. Hill has an arthritic elbow that can flare up at any time and has been on the disabled list five times in four years. Stoneman could probably find a more sound investment for $6 million.

With that in mind, and with the successful emergence of young starters Jarrod Washburn, Brian Cooper, Seth Etherton and Scott Schoenewis, an argument could be made for dealing Hill before the July 31 trading deadline if a good offer comes along.

And if Hill’s last two starts in July are as good as his most recent three, when he gave up five runs and 16 hits and struck out 18 in 17 2/3 innings, another team could be more open to acquiring him in a rent-a-player trade, despite his health problems.

Of course, if Hill, whose career has been marked by injury and disappointment since signing a three-year, $16-million deal with the Angels before 1998, continues his hot streak, the Angels may want to hold onto him and milk him for everything he has got this season.

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Lost in the strange ninth and 11th innings Tuesday was one spectacular play by shortstop Benji Gil and two outstanding plays by first baseman Mo Vaughn.

Gil made a back-hand, diving stop of Phil Nevin’s one-hop smash in the eighth and threw out Nevin from his knees. Vaughn dove to his right to stop Eric Owens’ fifth-inning grounder and came off the bag to make a leaping grab of third baseman Troy Glaus’ wide throw on Rivera’s seventh-inning grounder, swiping a tag on Rivera’s shoulder for the out.

*

Right fielder Tim Salmon received a cortisone shot in his inflamed left shoulder Monday night and was unavailable for Tuesday’s game. Salmon, who will rejoin the team in Anaheim tonight, hopes to play against Texas. . . . The Angels finished 12-6 in interleague play.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Texas Rangers, two games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7

* Record vs. Rangers--1-2.

* TV--Fox Sports Net tonight and Thursday night.

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

* Records--Angels 51-43, Rangers 44-47.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KENT BOTTENFIELD

(6-7, 5.60 ERA)

vs.

RANGERS’

KENNY ROGERS

(9-7, 4.34 ERA)

* Update--Pitchers Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Mark Petkovsek and Mike Holtz have been providing excellent relief in the late innings for the Angels. Hasegawa has not given up a run in 11 2/3 innings, Petkovsek has not allowed a run in 7 2/3 innings and Holtz hasn’t allowed a run in 5 2/3 innings. Petkovsek threw a scoreless seventh, and Hasegawa threw a scoreless eighth in Tuesday’s victory over the Padres. Tonight’s game is the first of eight consecutive games against American League West opponents.

* Thursday, 7 p.m.--Seth Etherton (4-1, 4.46) vs. Darren Oliver (2-2, 6.66).

* Tickets: (714) 663-9000.