Escobar Gives Fast Relief

He is not classified as a September call-up because he’s a veteran coming off late-June elbow surgery and was recalled from a minor league rehabilitation assignment Monday.

But erstwhile starter Kelvim Escobar could have the same kind of impact on the Angel bullpen this month that Francisco Rodriguez had in September 2002.

Escobar replaced Brendan Donnelly with runners on second and third and one out in the seventh inning Tuesday in Boston and got out of the jam, as Manny Ramirez grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Johnny Damon getting thrown out at home, Trot Nixon walked and Bill Mueller struck out. Escobar added a scoreless eighth.

The right-hander entered a tie game in the seventh inning Friday and threw three hitless innings against the White Sox, striking out three and walking one in the Angels’ 6-5, 12-inning victory.

“It’s remarkable how well he’s pitched coming off surgery,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “To make the transition to the bullpen and come in and pitch so effectively against two very good teams right out of the chute is very impressive.”

Though Scioscia didn’t say it, Escobar has moved ahead of Donnelly in the bullpen pecking order and will join Scot Shields as the team’s primary setup men in front of Rodriguez.

But Escobar’s versatility makes it difficult for Scioscia to pinpoint a specific role for Escobar, because he could be called on to retire two batters in the eighth inning one night and he has the stamina to go three or four innings if needed.

Escobar also can’t pitch on consecutive days yet, and that will limit his role, but he has already been a considerable boost to a struggling bullpen.

“I’ve still got to get used to pitching, and I can’t throw every day,” said Escobar, who had a bone spur in his elbow shaved down in June. “But I’m having fun. I like throwing in relief. I’m very happy to be back on the team, and I just want to do whatever I can to help.”

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Maicer Izturis entered the game at shortstop in the seventh inning, the utility infielder’s first appearance since Aug. 31, when Izturis suffered a bruised right thigh in a violent second-base collision with Oakland center fielder Jay Payton.

Izturis has a key role as a late-inning defensive replacement when Robb Quinlan plays third base, and Scioscia wanted to work Izturis back in a non-critical situation. That opening came with a 10-2 lead Saturday.

Izturis looked rusty, throwing wide of first on Willie Harris’ grounder to the hole in the seventh -- the play was ruled a hit -- and dropping the ball on the glove-to-hand exchange as Joe Crede was out at second on an eighth-inning fielder’s choice.

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First baseman Darin Erstad, whose left knee has been sore since banging into a railing to make a catch during the Angels’ last homestand, was pulled from Saturday’s game in the sixth inning as a precaution.