Even Schoeneweis Is Getting Rocked

Scott Schoeneweis was truly bewildered. He worked ahead in the count, he kept all but one sinker down, he induced loads of ground balls, and he gave up nine runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 12-3 Cactus League loss to the Chicago White Sox Tuesday.

“I’ve never pitched that well and given up that many runs,” Schoeneweis said. “I’m baffled, really. . . . I was ahead of every hitter, I hit my spots except for my last pitch [a two-run homer by Chris Singleton]. They hit the ball on the ground almost every time. I guess I ran out of luck.”

Schoeneweis had been the Angels’ most effective starter this spring, with a 2.25 earned-run average in 12 innings, and his spot on the opening-day roster was looking more and more secure until Tuesday.

“I don’t know if I have the luxury of giving up nine runs in a game,” said Schoeneweis, who gave up four ground-ball singles in the first inning, three of them choppers over the mound. “I’m not Ken Hill. I’m not a veteran who’s just working on getting his stuff ready.”

Schoeneweis’ shoddy results continued a disturbing trend among Angel starters, who have been rocked for 31 earned runs in 21 innings of the last five games for a 13.29 ERA. Opposing batters have a .328 average against Angel pitchers this spring.

“No one is comfortable seeing the amount of hits and runs we’re giving up,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I’m comfortable with the arms we have, I’m just looking for results.”

*

Now that he appears recovered from a shoulder injury that limited him to nine at-bats before Tuesday, Pat Kelly will get a serious look at second base. Kelly started and had two singles Tuesday. He was unable to make several difficult plays on rollers up the middle, but he did make one nice play in the third inning, fielding Greg Norton’s grounder behind the second-base bag and throwing him out at first.

When Kelly is physically sound, Angel Manager Mike Scioscia believes the infielder could provide the most balanced hitting/fielding alternative at second, because Trent Durrington is a better fielder than hitter, and Scott Spiezio is a better hitter than fielder.

A clause in Kelly’s contract calls for the club to grant his release if he’s not on the opening-day roster, but Kelly said he would consider accepting a triple-A job if he was encouraged by his chances of being recalled.

“They think I can help the club if my arm is 100%,” Kelly said. “Today was a good step. There was no pain.”

*

Todd Greene, slowed by shoulder discomfort, made his first start behind the plate since March 9 Tuesday and caught five innings. He made only one throw to second and didn’t catch Josh Paul stealing.

Scioscia said Greene, who is out of options and must clear waivers before being sent to the minor leagues, will need to be able to catch to secure a roster spot.

“We’d love to have his bat, but I don’t know if we could afford to depending on the makeup of the roster,” Scioscia said. “For him to have full value to the club, he has to be able to catch on a regular basis.”