Stoneman Declines to Respond to Guillen

If it’s a war of words Jose Guillen wants, the Washington National right fielder will not find a willing combatant in the Angels, who took the high road in response to Guillen’s hit-and-run shot at Angel Manager Mike Scioscia, whom Guillen likened Wednesday night to “a piece of garbage.”

Guillen’s comments came as the Nationals packed for Texas, having won two of three games in a tension-filled series that featured Tuesday’s ejection of Angel reliever Brendan Donnelly for having pine tar on his glove, a heated exchange involving Scioscia and Washington Manager Frank Robinson and a bench-clearing incident in which Guillen had to be restrained by three teammates.

“I’m not going to respond to anything Jose Guillen is saying,” Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman said Thursday, an off day for the team. “Anything I say is going to amplify whatever he’s saying, and I have no interest in that. Jose was with us last year, and I responded too often to things he said last year. Enough is enough.”

Guillen was suspended for the Angels’ last eight games and the playoffs in 2004 because of an on-field tantrum and clubhouse confrontation with Scioscia. He claimed before this week’s series that he “respects Scioscia and appreciated all the stuff he did for me here,” but it was obvious Wednesday that Guillen still holds a grudge.

“I don’t think I will ever forget what happened to me last year,” Guillen said. “I was in the middle of having a great year, winning and having a great season, and I was pretty hurt.”

His wallet might take a little hit after Wednesday’s verbal attack on Scioscia. A Major League Baseball source said that Guillen’s comments were forwarded to Commissioner Bud Selig and that Guillen could be fined because of them.

As for Donnelly, his confiscated glove arrived in New York on Thursday, and Bob Watson, who oversees discipline for Major League Baseball, is expected to hand the reliever a 10-day suspension today or Monday.

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It appeared Darin Erstad would score the tying run in the ninth inning of a 1-0 loss to the Nationals on Wednesday night when Garret Anderson grounded a single through the second-base hole. Erstad got a good jump, and Anderson’s ball was not hit that hard.

But third base coach Ron Roenicke put up the stop sign, choosing not to test Guillen, who has one of the best outfield throwing arms.

“Jose was playing deep, but he got a great jump, and we all know what kind of arm he has,” Erstad said. “With no outs, that’s the right play.”

But Washington closer Chad Cordero struck out Steve Finley, got Bengie Molina to pop to center and struck out Dallas McPherson to end the game.

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Florida ace Josh Beckett, who is scheduled to start Sunday against the Angels, could be scratched because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. If Beckett can’t go, the Marlins could turn to struggling left-hander Al Leiter.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Florida Marlins, three games.

Site -- Angel Stadium.

TV -- Channel 9 tonight, Channel 11 Saturday, FSN West Sunday.

Radio -- 710, 1020.

Records -- Angels 37-28, Marlins 33-30.

Record vs. Marlins -- 2-1 in 2003.

Tonight, 7 -- Jarrod Washburn (3-3, 3.67) vs. Brian Moehler (2-4, 2.90).

Saturday, 12:15 p.m. -- John Lackey (5-2, 3.99) vs. Dontrelle Willis (11-2, 2.06).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Paul Byrd (6-5, 4.18) vs. Josh Beckett (7-5, 3.35).

Tickets -- (714) 663-9000.