Figgins Hasn’t Yet Been a Man of Steal

Chone Figgins led the major leagues with 62 stolen bases last season, and after swiping 10 bags in 21 spring training games and one in the season opener, it seemed the Angel leadoff batter had hit the ground running in 2006.

But when Figgins stole second Sunday, it was only his second stolen base of the season and first since April 3.

“Sometimes our offense stalls when he’s not on and stealing bases,” Angel bench coach Ron Roenicke said. “Him stealing has an effect on the team. When he gets on base, it picks everything up -- the aggressiveness, the hitters behind him knowing they’re more apt to get a fastball. ... He gets this offense going.”

Figgins said opposing pitchers have used quicker slide-step deliveries in an effort to curb his running game, and Sunday, the Orioles pitched out against him as he took off for second.

But Figgins hasn’t been slowed by opponents as much as by lack of opportunity. For starters, he hasn’t been on base all that much; he’s batting .255 with only three walks. And of his 13 hits, five have gone for extra bases.

In 13 games, Figgins has been on first base with second base unoccupied only eight times, stealing twice, advancing on defensive indifference once and a wild pitch once.

“A couple of times he’s taken off and we’ve fouled off pitches,” Roenicke said. “But if you look at the whole picture -- pitchers trying to be quicker to home, making mistakes, the catchers wanting to call more fastballs -- it’s giving us better hitting opportunities.”

Indeed, No. 2 batter Orlando Cabrera is batting .298 with two home runs and a team-high nine runs batted in.

“If they’re not going to let me steal I still have to stay aggressive,” Figgins said. “I’d rather be a good baserunner than base-stealer. I’m going to get my stolen-base opportunities. I still have to create offense other ways.”

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The Orioles’ 4-2 victory over the Angels on Monday proved costly -- Baltimore left fielder David Newhan suffered a fractured right fibula when he twisted his right ankle on top of the bag while stealing second base in the first inning.

Newhan, a former Anaheim Esperanza High standout and son of former Times baseball writer Ross Newhan, appeared to have finally secured a starting job this month after spending parts of five seasons as a utility player. He started in left field in all four games against the Angels, made two diving catches Sunday and homered in Friday night’s win.

Now Newhan, 32 and in his 12th professional season, is scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday, and he will probably be out for several months.

“It’s a shame,” Angel Manager Mike Scioscia said. “That kid’s worked his butt off, and it’s a tough break.”

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Angel designated hitter Juan Rivera was scratched from Monday’s game after tweaking his left rib cage during batting practice. Rivera said the injury was not serious, and he was listed as day to day. ... Tim Salmon, who left Sunday’s game in the fourth inning because of a right groin injury, was not available Monday but is expected to be available tonight or Wednesday. ... Francisco Rodriguez said dehydration might have led to the right hamstring cramp that knocked him out of Sunday’s game. The Angel closer was available Monday night.