Schoeneweis Gets Big Win as Angels Try to Stay Alive

Scott Schoeneweis has walked the tightrope in virtually every one of his starts since early August, the difference between victory and defeat usually hinging on one key pitch, one elusive out, one clutch hit or one decisive defensive play in the late innings.

So when the Angel left-hander strolled onto the high wire again Wednesday night against Detroit, he found a certain comfort in his surroundings, an inner calm that allowed him to keep his balance and make it safely to the other side.

With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh inning, Schoeneweis struck out Wendell Magee on a full-count pitch and retired Deivi Cruz on a ground ball to preserve a 1-0 victory over the Tigers that ended the Angels’ six-game losing streak.

A crowd of 20,937 in Comerica Park saw Schoeneweis give up only two hits and strike out six in eight innings to outduel Tiger knuckleballer Steve Sparks and end Detroit’s string of 10 consecutive victories against left-handed starters.

Closer Troy Percival struck out Dean Palmer with the tying run on third base to end the ninth for his 26th save--and first since July 29--as the Angels pulled to within six games of Seattle in the American League West.

“I’ve been in a lot of jams this season, and I knew that experience would pay off,” said Schoeneweis, who won his first game since Aug. 11. “You can’t learn how to handle those situations without going through them. That experience is precious.”

Schoeneweis (7-7) took advantage of umpire Bruce Froemming’s generous strike zone by locating his fastballs, sinkers and sliders just off the corners and just below the knees, close enough to be called strikes but far enough from the plate so the Tigers couldn’t make solid contact.

He was nearly perfect through six innings, facing the minimum 18 batters--Brad Ausmus, who singled in the third, was wiped out on a double play--but Schoeneweis ran into trouble in the seventh, walking Damion Easley, giving up Bobby Higginson’s single and walking Palmer to load the bases with one out.

Magee worked the count full and struck out swinging at a sinker just above the ankles, a huge break for the Angels because it was probably ball four. Cruz grounded to the hole at short, but Kevin Stocker ranged to his right and flipped to Troy Glaus at third for the forceout.

“I wasn’t going to give in to Magee,” Schoeneweis said. “I was looking for a ground ball, and he has to protect the plate. I don’t want to walk him, but I’m not going to throw a cookie in there and give up four runs.”

Manager Mike Scioscia, looking for something to change the Angels’ fortunes, canceled batting practice and infield practice.

“We were sensing some definite dog days, guys trying too hard instead of letting it happen,” Scioscia said. “So I thought this might help the guys relax and save some energy.”

Maybe they were too relaxed, or maybe Sparks’ floaters, some of which were clocked under 50 mph, lulled them to sleep, but the Angel offense looked like it could use some No Doz.

Sparks, who had won six consecutive games and was the American League pitcher of the month for August, limited the Angels to one run and seven hits and struck out three in eight innings. The former Angel walked only two, but one was costly, to Stocker to open the third.

Easley made a backhand, diving catch of Darin Erstad’s liner, but Scott Spiezio doubled to right, putting runners on second and third. Mo Vaughn, with the infield back, followed with a run-scoring dribbler to second for his team-leading 106th RBI.

The Angels, who were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, had an excellent opportunity in the ninth when Glaus led off with his third double. Adam Kennedy bunted Glaus to third, but Bengie Molina missed a suicide squeeze attempt, and Glaus was out in a rundown.

The momentum didn’t swing entirely in Detroit’s favor, though. Easley walked to open the ninth, but Percival retired the next three batters to preserve Schoeneweis’ victory.

“We needed a start like that where the bullpen could rest,” Glaus said. “We scored one run. We needed to get picked up, and Scott did it. It was great.”