Things Start to Shape Up

Mired in a slew of injuries and illnesses that has stunted their progress this spring, the Angels finally took a collective step forward Friday, when a number of regulars made significant contributions to a 6-4 exhibition victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Kelvim Escobar, making his third start of a spring that was slowed by shoulder tightness, looked strong during a five-inning, 75-pitch stint in which he gave up three runs and six hits, including home runs by pitcher Carlos Zambrano and first baseman Derrek Lee, struck out six and walked none.

Reliever Kevin Gregg threw a one-two-three sixth; Scot Shields, who sat out eight days because of a stress reaction in his right shin, added two scoreless innings of relief, and closer Francisco Rodriguez gave up a run and two hits and walked a batter but struck out three in the ninth.

Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who started the game with a .148 spring average, laced a game-tying, two-run double to right-center field in the sixth inning, and first baseman Darin Erstad, batting .136 but finally regaining his strength after a three-week bout with bronchitis, hit a two-run homer to right-center -- his first extra-base hit of the spring -- to break the tie in the sixth.

Garret Anderson, Steve Finley, Robb Quinlan and Chone Figgins each added two hits.

“It’s good to get the group together, play well and win,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “That’s what we’re hoping for as we make the turn into next week, to see some continuity and the team starting to jell.”

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Dallas McPherson, out since March 3 because of a herniated disk in his lower back, is scheduled to play three innings of defense and make five to eight plate appearances in a minor league exhibition game today.

It could be the first of several minor league appearances for McPherson over the next week, as the Angels determine whether he will open the season at third base or on the disabled list.

The problem: The Angels would like McPherson to face major league pitching, but if he plays in a big league exhibition, and he’s not ready to open the season, his 15-day DL stint would be post-dated from the day he last played in a major league exhibition.

For instance, if McPherson plays a Freeway Series game against the Dodgers next Friday, he wouldn’t be eligible to come off the DL until April 17. If McPherson is held out of major league exhibitions and opens the season on the DL, he would be eligible to return April 10, the Angels’ sixth game of the season.

“If he’s not ready to open the season, he’ll be ready shortly after that,” Scioscia said. “The most important thing is for him to get in shape, and you can’t force that.”

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Backup catcher Jose Molina, recovering from a rib injury that has prevented him from hitting in an exhibition game, got two hits in 12 at-bats in a game at the Angels’ minor league complex Thursday and caught the last two innings of Friday’s game.