Angels Learn They Can Lean on Appier

During this season of trading frenzy, many a contending team covets a veteran starting pitcher, the been-there, done-that guy who can stabilize a rotation by providing quality and consistency, by rising to meet the pressure rather than collapsing beneath its weight.

The Angels aren’t looking for one of those pitchers. They hope they already have two. They’re keeping their fingers crossed that Kevin Appier and Aaron Sele can deliver, and in so doing deliver the Angels into the playoffs.

Appier and the Angels took a significant step in that direction Friday, with an 11-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Appier pitched six solid innings to win for the second time in his last nine starts, and the Angels closed within a half-game of the Boston Red Sox in the race for the American League wild-card berth.

The Angels won their fifth consecutive game, shrugging off their weeklong offensive slump with a 14-hit attack, including three hits from Tim Salmon. Garret Anderson homered and drove in three runs, and Scott Spiezio drove in three more. And, with another impressive outing, deposed starter Scott Schoeneweis appears to be prospering in the bullpen.

But the hero was Appier, the Angels’ most impressive starter over the first seven weeks of the season and perhaps their least impressive over the last seven. In his first nine starts, he lost once, with a 2.96 earned-run average. In his next eight, he won once, with a 7.09 ERA.

“People are looking to you, as one of the starters, to be a significant figure in what goes on,” Appier said. “Hopefully, I can hold up my end of the bargain and be a significant factor in us having a great year.”

He pitched through forearm stiffness in several starts, and he pitched through poor mechanics--”I was uncoordinated, really,” he said--in several starts.

But, in his last start before the All-Star break, he gave up three runs in the first six innings. In the seventh inning, Schoeneweis gave up a double that allowed two runners inherited from Appier to score.

On Friday, he gave up three runs over six innings, and two of the runs would not have scored had a wicked hopper not handcuffed third baseman Troy Glaus. This time, he got the victory.

“Having your effort rewarded gives you that extra confidence,” Appier said. “You don’t have to convince yourself you’re throwing the ball well. It’s shown by the results.”

The same is true for Schoeneweis, who suddenly became a pivotal figure in the Angel bullpen Friday, when the Angels put Dennis Cook in the disabled list. Schoeneweis, now the lone left-handed reliever, pitched two perfect innings Friday after striking out the only batter he faced Thursday.

In his last three appearances, he has retired 10 consecutive batters, striking out five.

“I’m just trying to do a job and help the team. That’s pretty much the bottom line,” he said. “It’s not what I see myself doing for the long term. I want to start.

“But, for the time being, I’ll do the job for the betterment of the team.”

No team can count on a relentless offense all season, but the Angels pronounced themselves a contender after building their team upon a foundation of starting pitching.

“Starting pitching is always a key,” Anderson said. “It’s never not a factor. That’s the only way you can win in this game.”

Jarrod Washburn, the Angels’ ace, is riding a 10-game winning streak. Ramon Ortiz has lost once since May 24. John Lackey, the rookie who replaced Schoeneweis, has impressed in all three of his starts.

The question marks surround the veterans, Appier and Sele.

“Ramon, Washburn and now Lackey have really given us consistent start after consistent start,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I think Appier and Sele showing signs of stepping up is very important. Those two guys are very key.”

Appier won Friday. Sele starts tonight, bringing his 5.03 ERA with him.