Team Turns Into the Go-Go Angels

It’s a little too soon for the Edison Field souvenir store to start selling T-shirts commemorating the Go-Go Angels, but the Angels are running wild in running to victory. The Angels did not hit a home run in Sunday’s victory, but they stole two bases. They rank third in the American League in stolen bases and third-to-last in home runs, yet no one on the roster has stolen 30 bases in a season.

“We’re definitely going to push the envelope,” Manager Mike Scioscia said, “and steal as many bases as we can without running into mindless outs.”

When the Angels start hitting home runs, Scioscia might back off. In his first year as manager, they had nearly three times as many homers as steals.

For now, Scioscia preaches stolen bases, hit-and-run plays and taking the extra base, and not just among the usual suspects: Catcher Bengie Molina is the slowest runner on the team, but he was on first base when Scioscia called a hit-and-run. The batter grounded out, but the Angels avoided the double play, and Molina later scored.

No one has an absolute green light to run, Scioscia said, but seven players have stolen at least one base. Designated hitter Brad Fullmer, who stole five bases for Toronto last season, stole his fourth of the season Sunday.

“It’s the first time I’ve really had a chance to get stolen bases,” he said.

“I love it. If you’re aggressive on the bases, it puts a little more pressure on the defense. And the pitchers can’t just throw junk up there. They have to throw more fastballs.”

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The streets of Toronto were abuzz late Saturday night, with drivers honking car horns and pedestrians waving team flags in celebration of the Maple Leafs’ triple-overtime victory in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Several Angel players attended the game, with pitchers Jarrod Washburn and Lou Pote staying until the thrilling end.

“That was my first playoff hockey game, and in Canada,” Washburn said. “It was a great atmosphere.”

Scioscia’s memories will not be quite as fond. He got stuck in an elevator at the team hotel for two hours in the early evening, in part because the repairman was caught in downtown traffic headed for the hockey game.

“We were rationing breathing because we didn’t know how much air was left,” Scioscia joked.

Broadcaster Terry Smith and bullpen catcher Orlando Mercado were among the nine people stranded in the elevator, including tourists from the Canadian province of Newfoundland who were so nice Scioscia left them tickets for Sunday’s game.

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Molina had three hits, raising his batting average to .327. Brian Downing set the franchise record for batting average by a catcher, hitting .326 for the 1979 division champions.... The Angels won five of six games on their trip. Their 9-6 road record is third-best in the league, trailing only the Seattle Mariners (14-2) and Boston Red Sox (12-2).

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Bill Shaikin