Scioscia to Be All-Star Coach

Mike Scioscia, in his third season as Angel manager, has been given his first All-Star coaching assignment. Joe Torre, the New York Yankee manager who will manage the American League in the All-Star game at Milwaukee’s Miller Park on July 9, has selected Scioscia and Cleveland Indian Manager Charlie Manuel as his coaches.

“It’s a great honor,” Scioscia said Thursday. “I’m excited to be part of the atmosphere and that game. It’s always fun.”

Scioscia was twice a member of the National League squad in his days as a Dodger catcher. In 1990, he was the starting catcher at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, subbing for the injured Benito Santiago. That made him the first Dodger All-Star starter at that position since Roy Campanella 36 seasons earlier.

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As he headed out for the pregame warmup, right-hander Ramon Ortiz held up his glove and asked with a smile, “Do you think they’ll let me use it today?”

Ortiz hadn’t been smiling Wednesday when umpire Mike Reilly told him just before the first pitch that Ortiz couldn’t use the glove because it is a two-tone model, a rule violation.

Ortiz hurled the glove across the third-base line in apparent anger. But Scioscia later said Ortiz was merely confused because he hadn’t understood the ruling.

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An All-Star party will be held at Edison Field on the night of the game to benefit Team UP for Down Syndrome, an organization founded by former player and current broadcaster Rex Hudler and his wife, Jennifer. Details: (714) 338-7383.

ON DECK

Opponent--Dodgers, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 9 tonight, FSN Saturday.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090), KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Records--Angels 45-32, Dodgers 49-29.

Record vs. Dodgers--1-2.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KEVIN APPIER

(6-6, 4.26 ERA)

vs.

DODGERS’

ANDY ASHBY

(7-6, 3.11 ERA)

Update--Of the unexpected surge by the Dodgers to the top of the NL West, Scioscia said, “They have turned the question marks into exclamation points.” Although the Dodgers took the edge in the all-time series between the two teams, 15-14, by winning two of three at Dodger Stadium two weeks ago, the Angels have a slight advantage at home, having won seven of 13.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Angels’ Aaron Sele (6-5, 5.54 ERA) vs. Dodgers’ Kazuhisa Ishii (11-3, 3.36).

Sunday, 5 p.m.--Angels’ Scott Schoeneweis (6-6, 5.38) vs. Dodgers’ Odalis Perez (9-3, 2.33).

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.