Club Seeks Compatible Pitchers

As the Angels prepare to woo top starting pitchers in free agency, the club is hopeful that Mike Scioscia’s managerial style will not dissuade those pitchers from signing with the team.

Kevin Appier repeatedly expressed his concern that Scioscia removed his starting pitchers too soon. Appier has not spoken with reporters covering the Angels since the team released him in July, but he did tell USA Today Sports Weekly last month that “I’m certainly not the only pitcher to have problems with him.”

The Angels have four complete games. Among potential free-agent targets, Bartolo Colon of the Chicago White Sox has eight complete games, Kevin Millwood of the Philadelphia Phillies has five and Sidney Ponson of the San Francisco Giants has four.

In three games over the last two seasons, Scioscia has removed Jarrod Washburn after he threw eight shutout innings and no more than 101 pitches. Closer Troy Percival earned the save each time.

“I would hope everybody’s main objective is to win games,” Washburn said. “I don’t think a guy wouldn’t sign with a team for something as selfish as not letting him complete games. When you’ve got Percy, you’ve got to give him the ball.”

The Angel bullpen is on pace to lead the American League in earned-run average for the second consecutive season, with All-Star Brendan Donnelly and rookie sensation Francisco Rodriguez supporting Percival in protecting leads.

“If complete games happen, they happen, but we don’t need a complete game to make our staff work,” Scioscia said. “Any club that has a closer of Troy’s caliber, that’s a very important role.

“A pitcher doesn’t need a complete game to be validated. The bottom line is to win, not to get your pitcher a complete game.”

ON DECK

Opponent -- Oakland Athletics, three games.

Site -- Edison Field.

TV -- Fox Sports Net.

Radio -- KSPN (710), XKAM (950).

Records -- Angels 71-79, A’s 90-60.

Record vs. A’s -- 7-10.

Tonight, 7 -- Ramon Ortiz (15-11, 4.84) vs. Ted Lilly (10-9, 4.66).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Jarrod Washburn (10-14, 4.33) vs. Rich Harden (5-4, 4.83).

Wednesday, 1 p.m. -- Scot Shields (4-5, 3.16) vs. Barry Zito (12-12, 3.43).