Scioscia Is Frustrated by Poor Defense

Mike Scioscia, like most managers, will occasionally dance around a question, so as not to offend a player or reveal information that might put the Angels at a competitive disadvantage.

But when asked Sunday if the team’s defensive struggles have been the most frustrating part of this season, Scioscia was blunt.

“In a word,” he said, “yes.”

The Angels, who tied for first in the American League with a .986 fielding percentage and tied a club record for fewest errors (87) in a season in 2005, committed a season-high five errors in Saturday night’s loss to the Rangers and another in Sunday’s loss, increasing their American League-leading total to 117.

The Angels have allowed 80 unearned runs this season, most in the major leagues, after allowing only 45 unearned runs last season.

“What’s frustrating is there aren’t many options you can go to for defensive continuity without severely altering another soft part of the club,” said Scioscia, whose lineup decisions this season have reflected much more of a willingness to sacrifice defense for offense. “It’s been a challenge.”

Some of the problems can be traced to the loss of first basemen Casey Kotchman and Darin Erstad to injury for most of the season, and the difficulty Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis have had switching positions.

Figgins, who excelled in a utility role last season, has spent most of 2006 in center field, making the transition to third tougher -- 11 of his team-high 16 errors have come in the infield.

Izturis, a natural middle infielder, has played third most of this season and has committed 12 errors.

Shortstop Orlando Cabrera (15) has more than doubled his errors from 2005, but seven errors in a season is phenomenal for a shortstop, and a 15-error season is still considered excellent. Adam Kennedy (nine errors) has been solid at second.

The most glaring deficiency has been in right field, where Vladimir Guerrero has committed 10 errors, more than any other major league right fielder. Angels catchers have combined for 18 errors, and pitchers have combined for 10.

“These guys played at such a high level last year, and while they had the potential to stay at that level, it doesn’t mean it’s a failure if they didn’t,” Scioscia said. “We’ve just missed some plays we should have made. We haven’t been in a groove.”

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Reliever Kevin Gregg wasn’t available Saturday or Sunday because of stiffness in his back but should be ready to pitch Tuesday in Kansas City.... Kendry Morales and Erick Aybar are scheduled to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic, and outfielder Tommy Murphy will play in Puerto Rico. General Manager Bill Stoneman plans to block Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar from playing winter ball; closer Francisco Rodriguez’s winter innings in Venezuela will be limited.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com