Golden Chance for Amezaga

Some folks, even athletes, live quite nicely without a daily dose of a sports section and “SportsCenter.” Alfredo Amezaga had no idea that shortstop Miguel Tejada of the Oakland Athletics is eligible for free agency this fall, let alone that the Angels might pursue him.

“He is? Jeez. Everyone is trying to get better,” Amezaga said. “If I can’t stay here, maybe I can go to another team.”

The Angels put David Eckstein on the disabled list Tuesday because of nerve irritation in his right hamstring, providing Amezaga an extended chance to persuade them he can be their shortstop next season. He took one step forward and one step back Tuesday, hitting his first major league home run but committing an error that ignited the decisive four-run inning in a 5-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

The Angels could fall into a tie for last place in the American League West tonight. The Texas Rangers, one game ahead of the Angels and riding a seven-game winning streak, face the dreadful Detroit Tigers. The Angels face All-Star game starter Esteban Loaiza.

While the White Sox push toward October, the Angels push toward next year, with resignation and frustration setting in as injuries force the team to field a makeshift lineup virtually daily. Trent Durrington, promoted to replace Eckstein, is the 12th player summoned from triple-A Salt Lake this season.

The Angels lost Tuesday because of breakdowns in a patchwork infield that included a rookie at shortstop, longtime minor league second baseman Adam Riggs at first base and first baseman Scott Spiezio at third.

“We have no choice,” Spiezio said. “We’ve got barely enough guys to field a damn team.”

Eckstein cannot play until Sept. 2 and might not play again this year, given the notorious unpredictability of hamstring rehabilitation. Designated hitter Brad Fullmer is gone for the season, and neither center fielder Darin Erstad nor third baseman Troy Glaus is expected to return.

Scot Shields, trying to convince the Angels to consider him a starter next season, undeservedly lost Tuesday. With the score tied, 1-1, in the seventh, the Sox loaded the bases with none out on a throwing error by Amezaga, a miscommunication between Riggs and second baseman Adam Kennedy in fielding an intended sacrifice bunt, and another intended sacrifice bunt that Spiezio fielded late.

Said Angel Manager Mike Scioscia: “Those are basic fundamental plays you should be able to execute no matter who is in the infield.”

Said Spiezio: “I haven’t played third base since ’96.... If I make a couple mistakes here and there, it’s expected, as long as I give it the effort, which I have.”

Carlos Lee then singled home two runs, breaking the tie.

Even on a night Spiezio said the Angels are evaluating players for next season, and on a night the 30-year-old Riggs hit his first major league home run, Scioscia refused to concede Amezaga is in the lineup to try to impress the front office.

“You guys are trying to make this a tryout camp,” Scioscia said. “It’s going to help him if he helps us win games.”

In his first 16 games, Amezaga has three errors and five hits, in 44 at-bats. His range, arm and speed are huge upgrades over Eckstein, but the truth about his offense lies somewhere between his .347 average at Salt Lake and his .114 average with the Angels.

“The more he gets out there, the more he’s starting to relax, and you can see a little more confidence in him at the plate,” hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said. “Sometimes it takes a month or so. You have to keep throwing him out there.... “

Said Amezaga: “Now that I’m playing more, I’m getting my timing back. I have no excuses now.”