Relievers Show Rust After Layoff

The recent success by Angel starters, who had pitched into at least the seventh inning in eight consecutive games before Jarrod Washburn gave up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings Sunday, may have resulted in some unintended consequences.

Reliever Kevin Gregg had not pitched in May until Sunday, and probably wishes he still hadn’t. The right-hander, who had logged one inning since April 26, took a while to shake off the rust in his first appearance in seven games, walking four of the first five batters he faced in Detroit’s 10-1 victory at Angel Stadium.

Gregg walked in two runs, eliciting boos from an increasingly impatient crowd, and threw only 12 of his 28 pitches in the third inning for strikes.

Gregg recovered to retire 11 consecutive batters, looking more like the dependable middle reliever the Angels had become accustomed to over the last two years, before giving up two runs in the seventh inning.

“It’s part of the game,” Gregg said of extended layoffs. “We’re down there if we’re needed. If we’re not needed, then the team’s obviously doing well and we’re winning ballgames.”

Gregg said he throws in the bullpen every few days if he’s not pitching regularly but said that it’s hard to stay sharp without getting in games.

Another reliever who had played sparingly before Sunday was Esteban Yan, who had pitched only two-thirds of an inning in one appearance since April 23, a span of 13 games. Yan pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings Sunday.

“Our starters are doing the job,” Yan said before the game. “There’s nothing you can do right now except wait for your chance.”

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With Detroit starting a left-handed pitcher Sunday for the second time in three days, Dallas McPherson found himself in a predictable place -- on the bench.

McPherson, hitless in 10 at-bats with four strikeouts against left-handers before the game, realizes he probably won’t find himself penciled into Manager Mike Scioscia’s lineup regularly until those numbers improve.

“I can’t argue or anything like that because I haven’t shown anything to make him feel any different,” McPherson said. “I have to prove that I can hit those guys or he’s going to play the percentages, which is what he should do.”

Robb Quinlan, who started at third base, homered against starter Mike Maroth and made several sparkling defensive plays, helping his bid to stay with the team once catcher Bengie Molina returns from the disabled list this week.

McPherson entered the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth and faced Maroth in the bottom of the inning. McPherson lined out to second baseman Omar Infante, keeping his average against left-handers at .000.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Cleveland Indians, three games.

Site -- Angel Stadium.

TV -- FSNW tonight and Wednesday, Channel 9 on Tuesday.

Radio -- 710, 1020.

Records -- Angels 18-13, Indians 12-18.

Record vs. Indians -- 2-0.

Tonight, 7 -- John Lackey (3-1, 4.73) vs. Kevin Millwood (0-3, 4.10).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Paul Byrd (2-3, 4.85) vs. C.C. Sabathia (2-1, 2.63).

Wednesday, 1 p.m. -- Kelvim Escobar (1-1, 3.10) vs. Cliff Lee (3-1, 4.46).