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Hamstring Strain May Sideline Molina

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Times Staff Writer

Catcher Bengie Molina was pulled from Wednesday’s 9-5 exhibition victory over the Colorado Rockies in the third inning because of a slight strain of his left hamstring, an injury that could sideline him until Tuesday’s season opener at Seattle.

Molina, who sat out two weeks in early March because of sore hamstrings, felt tightness in the hamstring as he rounded first, “and we didn’t want to take a chance with it,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “It’s possible he could miss the weekend [against the Dodgers]. He was sore.”

Though Molina has had recurring hamstring injuries, Scioscia is not concerned about this becoming a nagging problem for the two-time Gold Glove winner.

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“He’s been able to manage it very well,” Scioscia said. “It’s part of his history. Hopefully, when he gets over this episode, we’ll be able to keep this in check.”

Shortstop David Eckstein had two hits and two runs batted in, and Jeff DaVanon and Robb Quinlan homered for the Angels, who will close out their Cactus League schedule today against Milwaukee.

John Lackey gave up five runs and eight hits in eight innings, and Troy Percival, Scot Shields and Kevin Gregg, the favorite to win the final bullpen spot, each provided an inning of scoreless relief.

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All but six of the Angels’ 162 games this season will be televised, after the Angels reached agreement with Fox Sports Net, Channel 9, KDOC Channel 56 and KPXN Channel 30 to televise 148 games, with Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler handling broadcast duties. Games against the Dodgers on June 25 and 27 will be broadcast by Spanish-language KWHY Channel 22, and six games will be televised nationally by Fox or ESPN.... The Angels outrighted pitcher Rich Fischer to double-A Arkansas and catcher Tom Gregorio to triple-A Salt Lake, leaving room on the 40-man roster to add reserve catcher Josh Paul by Tuesday.... Pitching matchups for the Freeway Series: Jarrod Washburn vs. Jeff Weaver on Friday night in Dodger Stadium, Kelvim Escobar vs. Edwin Jackson on Saturday night in Angel Stadium, Ramon Ortiz vs. Kazuhisa Ishii on Sunday in Angel Stadium.

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