Erstad Gets Thumbs-Up as Reviewer

If Manager Mike Scioscia were to give his players a homework assignment due Monday, a handful of Angels probably would wait until Sunday afternoon, give left fielder Darin Erstad a call and ask him for advice.

That’s how Erstad’s role has evolved in Anaheim, where he’s not only tearing it up on the field but pulling more than his weight off it.

Erstad arrives at the park for 7 p.m. games at around 12:30 p.m., and his lengthy pregame routine includes weightlifting, whirlpool treatments, a card game with teammates Troy Percival and Kent Mercker, hitting off a tee and usually an hour or so in the video room to study opposing pitchers.

His teammates know this . . . and they take advantage of it.

“Every day, I ask Darin real quick if he saw something specific [on video] that might help me,” second baseman Adam Kennedy said. “I don’t watch a whole lot of video. I’ll look at maybe an inning or two to check a guy’s arm angles and where his pitches are going.”

Erstad looks at everything, and not only from that night’s opposing pitcher. He studies video of relievers he is unfamiliar with, and he’ll occasionally use video to dissect his own swing.

“I’ll look at some of my mechanics, but I’m more concerned about pitch patterns,” Erstad said. “Sometimes you’ll get jammed with a fastball and think a guy is trying to throw you inside.

“Then you watch the video, and the catcher was setting up outside. That happens more times than you’d imagine. You want to get an idea of how they’re trying to get you out.”

Pitchers haven’t had much success getting Erstad out this season. He entered Thursday night’s game with a .378 average, 19 homers and 73 RBIs. And his assists are not limited to throws from the outfield.

“If other guys ask me about an opposing pitcher,” he said, “I’m more than happy to tell them what I see.”

How do his teammates show their appreciation?

“By getting a few hits for him,” Kennedy said. “He’s been carrying us all year. The best way to reward him is to get on base for him.”

*

Mercker was a little cranky the other day in Texas, but it had nothing to do with the heat and humidity. “I’m sick of talking about bullpen workouts and simulated games,” he said. “I’m ready to go.”

There should be more joy for Mercker in Mudville, because there will be no bullpen workouts or simulated games there. Mercker will begin his minor league rehabilitation assignment Saturday for Class-A Lake Elsinore, which is playing the Stockton Mudville Nine--yes, that’s their real name--in Stockton.

It will mark the first game action for Mercker since he suffered a life- threatening brain hemorrhage on the Edison Field mound May 11. It will also mark the first of at least three or four minor league games for Mercker, who can pitch out of the rotation or bullpen.

Scioscia said the Angels want to stretch Mercker to the point where he can throw at least 90-100 pitches in a game, in case the Angels want to use him as a starter. The way the Angel rotation is struggling, that is a distinct possibility.

*

With the Angels arriving home after Wednesday night’s game in Texas at about 2 a.m., Scioscia made batting practice before Thursday night’s game optional. Not one position player took advantage of the opportunity for some extra rest, though.

“It’s not bad to have optional B.P. and everyone shows up,” Scioscia said. “They love the game, they have a passion for the game, and they know the price you have to pay to succeed.”

TONIGHT ANGELS’ KEN HILL

(5-6, 6.15 ERA)

vs.

WHITE SOX’S MIKE SIROTKA

(9-8, 3.72 ERA)

Edison Field, 7 p.m.

TV--Channel 9. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Update--This will be Hill’s last start before Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline, but even though the right-hander has pitched fairly well in his last four starts, giving up nine earned runs in 22 innings, he does not appear to be drawing much trade interest. Sirotka has won six of his last nine decisions, with a 3.12 ERA in those games. The left-hander suffered a loss in his last start at Boston despite throwing a complete-game five-hitter.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.