He Really Is Just Happy to Be Here

Toby Borland’s stay in the big leagues might be brief. He is the 12th pitcher on a staff that usually numbers 11, and the Angels likely will send the reliever back to triple-A Salt Lake this week.

But even if it ends with his two appearances in Baltimore, a loss in which he gave up four runs Sunday night and a mop-up inning in Monday’s 9-4 victory, Borland won’t complain.

“Going through what I went through the last few years, I’m thankful just to get back here,” Borland said. “I’m blessed. Whether I’m here for two or three more days, I appreciate the opportunity.”

The past four years have been brutal for Borland. He went through a divorce in 1998, had reconstructive elbow surgery in 1999 and endured the deaths of his brother, Jonah, and his 4-year-old son, Blaise, from cancer in 2000.

Borland pieced his baseball career back together this spring, and his 6-1 record and 2.65 earned-run average in 34 games for Salt Lake earned him a promotion to the Angels on Saturday night.

When he entered the second game of the doubleheader Sunday, it was Borland’s first major league appearance since June 30, 1998, with the Philadelphia Phillies. Borland gave up a game-winning two-run homer in the sixth but was able to finish the game, easing the burden on the bullpen. He gave up a run in the eighth Monday.

“That wasn’t how I wanted my first outing to go after a three-year absence, but it feels good that they had enough confidence to go to me [Monday],” Borland said. “I guess seven runs was a big enough cushion.”

Darin Erstad’s failed attempt to become the 23rd player in franchise history to steal home Sunday night won’t deter him from making another daring dash off third base. “That’s definitely one of the things I’d like to do,” Erstad said. “My heart was racing pretty good.”

With an 0-and-1 count on Scott Spiezio in the third inning of the nightcap, Erstad broke for home as Oriole pitcher Jason Johnson started his windup.

Erstad might have made it had Johnson not hastened his delivery and catcher Brook Fordyce not come out of his crouch so soon. Erstad was tagged out on a close play at the plate.

“I got about as good a jump as I could get,” Erstad said. “It could have gone either way, but I’m pretty sure the right call was made.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Tampa Bay Devil Rays, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net tonight, Channel 9 Thursday night.

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

Records--Angels 50-49, Devil Rays 32-67.

Record vs. Devil Rays--5-1.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JARROD WASHBURN

(8-4, 3.41 ERA)

vs.

DEVIL RAYS’

JOE KENNEDY

(3-4, 4.27 ERA)

Update--Washburn has not lost since May 8 and is 7-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his last 13 games. Friday’s postponed game and Sunday’s doubleheader in Baltimore left a vacancy in the Angel rotation for Wednesday. Right-hander Matt Wise, who pitched Friday for triple-A Salt Lake, is aligned to make the start, but Manager Mike Scioscia might give long reliever Lou Pote a spot start.

Wednesday, 7 p.m.--TBA vs. Paul Wilson (2-7, 7.10).

Thursday, 7 p.m.--Ramon Ortiz (7-7, 4.18) vs. Albie Lopez (5-12, 5.34).

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.