Scioscia Rubber-Stamps Rivalry

As baseball rivalries go, the Angels and Oakland Athletics probably will never match the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants for sheer intensity on the field and loathing among fans off it.

But Angel Manager Mike Scio- scia may have unwittingly spiced things up a bit when he got into an animated discussion with Oakland Manager Ken Macha and umpire Tim Welke while exchanging lineup cards before Saturday night’s game.

Scioscia, having noticed on tape that A’s pitcher Mark Mulder’s left foot was far to the third-base side of the rubber during his motion, wanted clarification of a rule that states a pitcher must have at least half a foot’s length in contact with the rubber.

“It’s like a guy whose foot has to be in the batter’s box,” Scioscia said. “Right now, the interpretation is that he just has to have his toe in contact with the rubber.”

The discussion lasted so long that catcher Bengie Molina had to ask the managers and umpires to step away from the plate so starter Jarrod Washburn could warm up. Not until after Mark Kotsay was announced as the first batter did the meeting end.

Mulder, the losing pitcher Saturday, said he has pitched that way for years, and it has never been an issue. Macha seemed to think questioning Mulder was an act of gamesmanship by Scioscia.

“Mark’s not the only one who stands on the edge of the rubber -- Percival does it too,” Macha said Sunday, referring to Angel closer Troy Percival. “Mark has pitched like that since he’s been here.”

The upshot: Welke told Scioscia he would contact the commissioner’s office to determine whether umpires are interpreting the rule correctly.

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If Brendan Donnelly doesn’t suffer any more setbacks while recovering from complications stemming from a broken nose, the Angels are targeting early May for the All-Star reliever’s return.

Donnelly broke his nose in 20 places when he was struck by a batting-practice fly ball March 9 and needed a second surgery March 20 to stop severe nosebleeds. He was cleared to resume light exercise and cardiovascular work last Tuesday and has been playing catch and doing fielding drills at the Angels’ minor league complex at Mesa, Ariz.

Donnelly will gradually work his way up to throwing off the mound, throwing aggressive bullpen sessions and batting practice and then pitching in several minor league games before returning to Anaheim.

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Second baseman Adam Kennedy has complained in the past when Scioscia didn’t start him against left-handers, but he put up no argument Sunday when right-handed Shane Halter got the nod at second against A’s left-hander Barry Zito.

“I’m not swinging the bat very well, Shane is, and Zito is pitching,” Kennedy said. “I don’t know my career stats against him, but I’m sure they’re not very good.”

Kennedy has one hit in nine at-bats against Zito.