Weird Trip Finally Comes to an End

What a long, strange trip it’s been....

It began with Red Sox slugger David Ortiz hitting a walk-off home run on Sept. 6.

There was the high drama of last Thursday’s 3-0 win over Boston, when Scot Shields and closer Francisco Rodriguez each pitched out of bases-loaded jams, and the bizarre finish Friday in Chicago, when Vladimir Guerrero scored the winning run in the 12th inning on a mad dash home from second on Bengie Molina’s sacrifice bunt.

The offense came to life against the White Sox, with 22 runs and 34 hits and went back into hibernation in Seattle, where the Angels scored one run in losses Monday and Tuesday.

Then the Angels scored nine runs and got 16 hits to erase a six-run Mariner lead Thursday, only to lose in walk-off fashion for the second game in a row.

When the Angels started their nine-game trip they were one game ahead of Oakland. After going 4-5, the Angels are still one game ahead of the A’s.

Plenty ventured, nothing gained.

“We had some opportunities in Boston and didn’t take advantage, but that didn’t affect us at all in Chicago,” second baseman Adam Kennedy said. “The guys in here, that’s how we are. We don’t let these things affect us for long periods of time.”

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After missing all of 2003 and half of 2004, Paul Byrd has shown he has recovered from reconstructive elbow surgery, going 11-10 with a 3.70 earned-run average in 28 starts this season, a performance that could warrant a multiyear deal this winter for the 34-year-old right-hander.

But Byrd, who signed a one-year, $5-million contract with the Angels last winter, said he probably wouldn’t pursue a long-term deal.

“I would take a two-year deal, but I don’t have to have one,” said Byrd, who has given up three earned runs and 17 hits in 23 innings of his last three starts. “I’ve made a lot of money. I don’t feel I need to sign a huge, long-term deal. I want to focus on the task at hand, pitching well and helping this team make the playoffs.”

Byrd would love to return to Anaheim in 2006, and his willingness to do so under a one-year contract could improve his chances, while dimming those of left-hander Jarrod Washburn.

With starters Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey and Ervin Santana under contract or control next season, there wouldn’t seem to be a need for Washburn and Byrd in 2006.

The fact that Washburn will command a deal of at least three years in the $9-million-a-year range might deter the Angels. Teams would prefer signing starting pitchers to one-year deals.

“That makes me more attractive,” Byrd said. “There’s never been a question that I could pitch and get guys out, the question has been would my elbow hold up? I feel like I’m 18 again. My elbow feels great.”