McPherson Is Starting to Pick Up the Pace

TEMPE, Ariz. — He didn’t draw any comparisons to Chone Figgins as he rounded second base, but Dallas McPherson made it to third, sliding in with a two-run triple in the fifth inning of the Angels’ 5-3 exhibition victory over Colorado on Saturday, and that was an accomplishment in itself.

McPherson has been running the bases since mid-February, and he went station to station in two previous exhibition games, but this was the first time he truly aired out his surgically repaired left hip in a game situation.

“It was a nice little test to be able to let it go, and it held up pretty well,” said McPherson, who sat out much of 2005 because of hip and lower-back injuries. “As long as I can go from first to third and from second to home, those questions [about my hip] will be answered.”

It has been an odd camp for McPherson. In addition to losing his third base job to Figgins, he was out several days last week because of a full-body rash, which doctors believe was caused by an allergic reaction to something McPherson ate. Now that he’s nearing full health, McPherson hopes to make a push for a more regular role, either at third base or designated hitter.

“Hopefully, health won’t be the reason he’s out of the picture,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I hope he plays well and shows everyone his talent.”

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As eye popping as the life on Jered Weaver’s fastball Friday was the landing spot of the right-hander’s front foot -- about 1 1/2 feet toward the third base side of the mound, an extreme, across-the-body motion that could be more taxing on the arm.

But the Angels won’t tinker with Weaver’s mechanics just yet; Weaver, a first-round pick in 2004, had no arm problems during a stellar Long Beach State career and walked only 26 in 76 innings in his first minor league season.

“We’ve talked about it, but we’re not going to change it until he shows an inability to hit spots,” pitching coach Bud Black said. “It’s the same motion as Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields, and the thing I look for with an across-the-body motion is, is this going to affect his ability to command the fastball? I’m going to watch it.”

Black believes the motion gives the 6-foot-7 Weaver an advantage because hitters aren’t used to the ball being delivered from such an odd angle.*

Adam Kennedy and Orlando Cabrera each had two hits and a run batted in, and Chris Bootcheck threw two scoreless innings to highlight Saturday’s win.

Reliever Jason Bulger, acquired Tuesday from Arizona, showed a lively fastball despite giving up a run in the ninth. Starter Hector Carrasco gave up a run and three hits in two innings.

Kelvim Escobar threw three scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out three, for the Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team in a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Clearwater, Fla. Rodriguez threw a scoreless ninth for the save.

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Commissioner Bud Selig, who watched much of the Angel game with Angel owner Arte Moreno, remained neutral in the wake of the team’s victory over the City of Anaheim in the name-change lawsuit.

“Arte and I had a long talk, and I’m glad it’s over, and we can go back to business,” Selig said. “These things are never pleasant, but if you believe you’re doing the right thing, you have to do it.”

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John Lackey, slowed by shoulder stiffness this last week, threw long toss and expects to return to the mound this week....Scioscia said Vladimir Guerrero, who is recovering emotionally from the car accident that killed three cousins in the Dominican Republic on Feb. 26, probably would play Monday.