Bad News Outweighs the Good for Angels

It was an ugly evening for the Angels, and an ominous one too.

Joe Saunders should have won his major league debut, but closer Francisco Rodriguez blew the save as boos rained down from every level at Angel Stadium. And, in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Angels got six hits from the lineup that might have to carry the team for some time.

The Angels, concerned that outfielder Garret Anderson might be suffering a recurrence of the arthritis that plagued him last season, are sending him to the rheumatologist that diagnosed the illness in May 2004. They also are sending third baseman Dallas McPherson to a hip specialist in Colorado.

Saunders stopped the Blue Jays on two runs through 7 1/3 innings, and Scot Shields got the final two outs in the eighth. But Rodriguez, handed a 3-2 lead in the ninth, faced five batters and retired one. The Jays loaded the bases with none out on a line single, a walk and a bunt single, then Rodriguez forced home the tying run by walking Corey Koskie.

Frank Catalanotto delivered a sacrifice fly for what proved to be the winning run, after which Kevin Gregg replaced Rodriguez, who left the field to more boos.

“Right now, I feel like I’m in the middle of a hurricane,” Rodriguez said. “I feel fine. My confidence is fine. It’s nothing to be panicked for.”

Anderson, the three-time All-Star so critical to the lineup as protection against a parade of intentional walks to Vladimir Guerrero, has experienced tendinitis in his left knee and stiffness in his lower back over the last week. After he reported back stiffness in April of last season, he sat out 43 games while doctors ran numerous tests. Eventually, Pasadena rheumatologist David Brown diagnosed early undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis.

Brown will review a new round of tests, although Scioscia expressed optimism that Anderson could return soon.

“The tests are to rule out some stuff,” Scioscia said. “If he feels better and the symptoms leave, he’ll be back in the lineup. The tests aren’t going to impact when he returns.”

Saunders, in a spot start in place of the injured Paul Byrd, got a standing ovation on his exit and a return ticket to triple-A Salt Lake after the game.

“He made a great first impression,” Scioscia said. “He has a bright future. I’m sure he’ll be back.”

The left-hander and former first-round draft pick, wearing No. 68, needed six pitches in the first inning and 95 over 7 1/3 , giving up five hits and two walks while striking out two. He displayed a fastball up to 93 mph and a changeup down to 71 mph.

“It was a rush,” he said. “It’s every kid’s dream to get up here. When you get up here, the nerves kick in and you try and pitch your game.”

Shea Hillenbrand homered for the Blue Jays in the second inning, and Vernon Wells singled home another Toronto run in the sixth.

Adam Kennedy, who singled home one of the Angels’ runs, is hitting .336, which would lead the American League if he had enough plate appearances. For now, Scioscia said he has no plan to move Kennedy from the ninth spot in the lineup.

McPherson has been on the disabled list since July 8 because of inflammation in his left hip. That condition recurred last week on his rehabilitation assignment, and the Angels’ medical staff has ordered an MRI exam and bone scan in advance of his scheduled visit today to Dr. Marc Philipon at the Stedman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo.