First Reviews for Kennedy Mean They May Have a Hit

The only problem with a debut as smashing as Adam Kennedy’s on Saturday is that some might expect these kinds of performances every day from the new Angel second baseman.

That’s OK with Kennedy, who hit a two-run home run in the first inning, a two-run triple in the sixth and made several fine defensive plays in the Angels’ 10-0 Cactus League victory over the San Francisco Giants.

“I expect this,” said Kennedy, acquired with pitcher Kent Bottenfield from the St. Louis Cardinals for center fielder Jim Edmonds on Thursday. “My expectations are way higher than anyone else’s.”

No one has come out and said it, but it is clear the Angels have handed their second-base job to Kennedy, a 24-year-old former Cal State Northridge standout who is in his fourth professional season.

Manager Mike Scioscia also plans to bat Kennedy second in the lineup, a spot that comes with responsibilities that some might think would put too much pressure on a rookie. Kennedy’s response: Bring it on.

“I feel I’m ready,” said Kennedy, from Riverside J.W. North High. “One of my best friends in St. Louis is [pitcher] Rich Ankiel. He’s 20, and he’s going to be in the rotation this season. If you’re ready, you’re ready.

“Some can handle it. Some take longer. I’ve played at a high [triple-A] level for the past two years and got a taste of the big leagues last year, and that’s already helped. From the time I stepped on the field this spring I felt better about everything and more confident.”

Kennedy smashed the second pitch he saw over the right-field wall for a homer, and his triple in the sixth went to left-center. After dropping Juan Melo’s second-inning liner for an error, he made a nice back-hand stop of Marvin Benard’s wicked fifth-inning grounder and threw him out.

“He was tested,” Scioscia said. “It was a great way for Adam to break in. He made some tough plays look routine. That’s a great sign.”

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Kent Mercker is not a lock to make the rotation, but he solidified his chances with five scoreless innings. The left-hander gave up two hits, walked one, struck out two and survived a shaky first inning in which he hit a batter, walked another and gave up three line drives that were caught in the outfield.

“If I gave up four nub infield hits it would have looked like I pitched terrible,” Mercker said. “Outs are outs right now.”

If Mercker doesn’t make the rotation, he’ll probably open in the bullpen, because Scioscia is expected to carry 12 pitchers. Mercker is trying not to get too wrapped up in the possibilities.

“I just have to worry about getting the guy at the plate,” he said. “I haven’t even worried about whether I’m going to make the team, whether I’m going to start or relieve, I just have to go out and do it. It’s tough enough getting hitters out at this level without that kind of pressure.”

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Reliever Juan Alvarez was optioned to triple-A Edmonton on Saturday, leaving Mike Holtz the only remaining left-handed short reliever in camp, but that’s no guarantee Holtz will win a job. Scioscia has not ruled out opening the season without a lefty in the bullpen, and Eric Weaver, a former Dodger minor leaguer who brought his spring scoreless streak to 7 2/3 innings with two more spotless innings Saturday, is making Scioscia’s decision all the more difficult. . . . Troy Glaus doubled in the sixth and lined a two-run homer to right in the seventh, and Darin Erstad lined a solo homer to right in the fifth. . . . Closer Troy Percival threw a scoreless eighth, and his next step will be to pitch on consecutive days this week.