Union Gets Approval

Angel players voted Tuesday to authorize the executive board of the Major League Baseball Players Assn. to set a strike date.

Pitcher Scott Schoeneweis, the Angels’ player representative, said the Angels unanimously approved the measure during a meeting before batting practice.

“If we do set a strike date, it’s in order to spur the negotiation process,” Schoeneweis said. “If the negotiations aren’t spurred by that, we would have to strike.

“That’s the purpose of setting a date, to hopefully get things moving.”

Schoeneweis said possible strike dates were discussed, but he would not specify what those dates were and would not say if the Angels voted on a specific date.

“I’m not sure when the actual date needs to be set,” Schoeneweis said. “Obviously, it would be set and made public to allow both sides to get to the table to not have to reach that climax.”

The Times, citing baseball sources, reported Monday that the union had tentatively targeted Sept. 16 to begin the sport’s ninth work stoppage unless progress is made quickly in negotiations. In response to the report, Don Fehr, executive director of the union, informed players in a memorandum a date had not been selected.

“That [date] has not been discussed, has not been voted upon and has not been approved,” Schoeneweis said.

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Second baseman Adam Kennedy raised his batting average to .301 Sunday with two hits against the Seattle Mariners, but he was not in the lineup against left-hander Barry Zito on Tuesday. Benji Gil started in his place.

Kennedy, who bats left-handed, sat regularly against left-handers during the second half of last season. He was batting .245 in 49 at-bats against left-handers this season and .313 in 233 at-bats against right-handers.

Kennedy pinch-hit in the ninth for Gil and got aboard on an error but was stranded at second base.

Gil, who bats right-handed, was batting .356 in 45 at-bats against left-handers. He went 0 for 2 with a walk Tuesday.

“I know Adam can hit lefties, and I know Adam is going to be a fine everyday offensive player,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said. “In certain games, in certain situations, Benji Gil is going to give us a real presence.”

*

Closer Troy Percival threw in the bullpen for 10 minutes and will throw a simulated game Thursday as he continues preparing for his return from the disabled list on Saturday.

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Joe Saunders, the Angels’ top pick in the June draft, is 1-1 with a 5.12 earned-run average for Provo in the Pioneer Rookie League.

Saunders, a left-hander, has given up 11 earned runs and 29 hits in 19 1/3 innings. He has 11 strikeouts and has walked five.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ AARON SELE

(7-7, 4.93)

vs.

ATHLETICS’ TIM HUDSON

(7-8, 3.34 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

Update--Sele gave up only two runs in seven innings against the A’s on Thursday but lost, 2-0. Hudson had defeated the Angels seven times in a row before taking the loss in a 10-4 defeat last Wednesday.