Schoeneweis Shining Again

Scott Schoeneweis has made solid progress toward eliminating himself as the weakest link in the Angel bullpen over his last five appearances, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings to lower his earned-run average from 8.64 to 5.68.

The left-hander did not give up a hit or walk, and struck out a season-high three batters over 1 2/3 innings Friday in the Angels’ 6-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

“I think Schoeny is pitching with much more confidence,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He had some bumps in the road early in the year, but he always kept his head up and he kept making pitches. He’s at a point now where he’s going to be able to settle into the season.”

After opening the season with three scoreless appearances, Schoeneweis gave up eight runs in 5 2/3 innings over his next six outings. The string of bad performances eliminated him as a candidate to fill in as a spot starter in late April. Scot Shields and his sub-1.00 ERA got the call instead.

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Scioscia gave first baseman Scott Spiezio what has become an increasingly rare start against a left-handed pitcher Saturday and moved him into the No. 2 position in the batting order in an effort to help him spring out of a season-long slump.

“Sometimes you move a guy up in the lineup and it gives him a different look that can help him,” Scioscia said. “Spiez has the ability to work counts and get on base, and that’s very important for someone hitting in front of Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus.”

The move didn’t pay off as Spiezio went 0 for 3 against Mark Hendrickson to lower his average against left-handers to .133. He finished 0 for 4 in a 7-4 loss to Toronto.

Said Spiezio: “If I get an opportunity, I’ve got to be ready. If I do well, I’ll be in there more often.”

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Darin Erstad appears no closer to returning to the lineup than he did several days ago, but that may be partly because the center fielder must wait until dye inserted into his knee during an MRI on Friday clears his system before resuming strenuous activities.

Erstad, out since April 19 because of tendinitis in his right hamstring, took batting practice Saturday and is scheduled to resume strengthening exercises in a pool but will have to wait at least another day before running.