Hamstring Cramps Anderson’s Style

Garret Anderson was not in the starting lineup Sunday in the Angels’ 7-5, 12-inning loss to the New York Yankees because of a hamstring cramp, marking the first time this season--and only the second time in the last two--that the outfielder did not start.

Anderson felt a cramp in his right hamstring while sliding during Saturday night’s victory over the Yankees. After conferring with Manager Mike Scioscia before Sunday’s game, Anderson ended his streak of 138 consecutive starts.

“I probably could have played, but it wasn’t smart to play,” said Anderson, who could not recall the last time an injury kept him out of the lineup.

Alex Ochoa started in left field and Orlando Palmeiro started in center with Darin Erstad as the designated hitter for only the fourth time this season.

“It’s a rare day when you come in here and don’t see [Anderson’s] name in the lineup,” Scioscia said. “This guy is automatic, and when you come to the park, if there’s a game, he’s playing.

“At the time of the year it is, [with] so much baseball ahead of us, it just makes sense to let him try to take a day and regroup and go from there.”

With the score 5-5, Anderson pinch-hit for Shawn Wooten in the ninth inning with one out and runners at first and second. But he struck out against left-hander Mike Stanton, who was brought in when Anderson was announced.

Last year, Anderson was out of the lineup only once--Aug. 29 at Kansas City--because of a personal matter regarding one of his children.

Scioscia said he was hopeful Anderson could play tonight, at least as designated hitter, against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. But he did not rule out giving Anderson more time to recover.

“If he needs another day, he’s going to get it,” Scioscia said.

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Angel first baseman Scott Spiezio said he got caught up in the moment when the Yankees’ Alfonso Soriano was called safe on a bases-loaded infield single in the 12th inning with the score tied, 5-5.

Spiezio, frustrated by the call, held onto the ball after falling to the ground. Pitcher Scot Shields frantically motioned for Spiezio to throw the ball to the plate before taking it out of Spiezio’s glove and throwing too late to get Jorge Posada, who gave the Yankees a 7-5 lead.

“You’re so into trying to get that out, I lost track,” Spiezio said. “I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before.”

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The 43,455 who attended Sunday’s game helped the Angels establish a franchise record for a four-game home series.

The Angels and Yankees drew 173,639 at Edison Field to break the record of 173,347 set at Anaheim Stadium July 1-4, 1983, against the Kansas City Royals.

The Angels have had 11 sellouts this season, breaking the Edison Field record of 10 set in 1998, the year the renovated stadium opened. The Angels have sold out 10 of their last 22 games.

*

The 12-inning loss to the Yankees gave the Angels a 6-2 record in extra-inning games this season. Their only previous defeat was a 7-6, 10-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins on May 30 in Minneapolis.

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ON DECK

Opponent--Detroit Tigers, one game.

Site--Comerica Park, Detroit.

Today--4 p.m. PST.

TV--None.

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

Records--Angels 65-45, Tigers 41-69.

Record vs. Tigers--4-1.

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TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JOHN LACKEY

(2-2, 2.86 ERA)

vs.

TIGERS’

BRIAN POWELL

(1-1, 6.00 ERA)

Update--Today was originally scheduled as an off day for the Angels and Tigers, but they are making up a May 16 rainout at Detroit. Lackey pitched eight shutout innings in an 8-0 victory against Seattle on July 26 and gave up one run in 6 1/3 innings in a 2-1 loss to Boston Wednesday.