Suddenly, a Rooting Interest

Adam Kennedy, in his third season with the Angels, is used to having fans stop him around town. Now, with the Angels in playoff contention, those fans are saying something more than, “Can I have your autograph?”

Said Kennedy: “There’s some enthusiasm. Now they’re actually rooting for us. They’re saying they’re happy we’re doing well and they’re proud of us. It’s nice.”

Merchandise sales are up about 20% from last season, said Kevin Uhlich, senior vice president of business operations. The Angels expect to draw 2.2 million fans this year, he said, a modest mark but one they have reached only twice in the last 10 years.

With all four games of their weekend series against the Yankees expected to sell out, the Angels on Sunday would tie the club record of 10 sellouts in a season. The weekend attendance could threaten the stadium record for a four-game series, set in 1983 when Anaheim Stadium also was the home of the Rams and had another 20,000 seats. The Angels and Kansas City Royals drew 173,347 for a series that included a July 4 crowd of 63,132, the largest to see a regular-season game in Anaheim.

The Angel roster that year included Reggie Jackson, Bobby Grich, Rod Carew, Doug DeCinces, Fred Lynn and current Angel assistant general manager Ken Forsch. The Royals’ roster included George Brett, Frank White, Hal McRae, Dan Quisenberry, Willie Wilson and current Angel pitching coach Bud Black.

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Scott Schoeneweis appears to have found a niche as a left-handed relief specialist. In his last six appearances, Schoeneweis has not given up a hit, pitching one-third or two-thirds of an inning each time.

“I figured, at some time in my career, I would be doing that,” Schoeneweis said. “I didn’t think it would be this early in my career.”

Schoeneweis is happy to pitch in for now, but Manager Mike Scioscia said he understands that the 28-year-old would rather start. He said the displaced starter still could be effective in that role, but there appears to be no room in the Angel rotation.

“I can see a definite future for him as a late-inning lefty,” Scioscia said. “There aren’t many good ones.”

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Infielder Jose Nieves cleared waivers and was sent to triple-A Salt Lake. General Manager Bill Stoneman said Nieves will play mostly third base there; the Angels have prospects at shortstop (Alfredo Amezaga) and second base (Chone Figgins). Stoneman said he did not promise Nieves he would return when rosters expand in September.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

AARON SELE

(8-7, 4.78 ERA)

vs.

YANKEES’

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ

(6-3, 3.31 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

Update--Newcomer Alex Ochoa started against left-hander Andy Pettitte, in place of Shawn Wooten. Wooten had been starting against left-handers, but is batting .143 since July 13.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.