Scioscia sees rewards in baserunning risks

Howie Kendrick led off first base, charged a few steps toward second base, then stopped. Johnny Estrada, the catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, didn’t notice Kendrick had stopped, so he rushed a throw to second. No one covered the base, and the throw sailed into center field for an error.

That play did not determine the outcome in the Angels’ 6-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, but it did illustrate the aggressive style employed by Manager Mike Scioscia. In an era in which some teams believe the risk of losing an out when a runner is caught stealing is not worth the benefit of a stolen base, Scioscia says teams can create havoc by stealing and taking extra bases -- or rattle opposing defenses simply by threatening to do so.

And, with a roster not blessed with power, Scioscia says he has little choice, no matter how frustrated some fans get that the Angels run into plenty of outs on the bases.

“We need to push the envelope. If we don’t, our offense stalls a little bit,” he said. “I’d rather err on the side of being too aggressive.”

Chone Figgins, dropped from first to ninth this season, is the only Angel who has stolen 30 bases in the major leagues in the last four years, although Scioscia believes Orlando Cabrera, Kendrick and Gary Matthews Jr. can do it too. Matthews, the new leadoff hitter, never has stolen more than 15.

“Gary has more than he’s shown,” Scioscia said. “In the right offense, he can run more and produce more.”

Stellar starters

This is impressive during the season, more so in the thin air of the Cactus League: The Angels’ projected rotation -- John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders and Hector Carrasco -- has a combined earned-run average of 2.45.

“We want a World Series,” Santana said. “If we pitch like we’re pitching right now, we’re going to go there.”

Santana pitched five innings Thursday and gave up one earned run. Milwaukee starter Jeff Suppan topped him by pitching five no-hit innings, and the Brewers’ Prince Fielder hit a two-run homer off Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Go fish

With a virtually unlimited budget for home improvements, some millionaire ballplayers install theaters, wine cellars or athletic facilities in their homes. Figgins is having a lake built on property he owns in the Tampa, Fla., area.

He’ll stock the lake and then go fishing. It’s his favorite pastime.

“It’s just something I grew up doing,” Figgins said. “It’s peaceful. It’s fun. Plus, I can eat some of it.”

Figgins isn’t about to give up his day job, but the best anglers these days need not choose between fishing and making a healthy living. He pointed to Mike Iaconelli, a champion bass fisherman with more than $1 million in career earnings and additional income from corporate sponsors such as Toyota and Yamaha.

“It’s like car racing,” Figgins said. “They make a good living.”

Around the horn

Jered Weaver and Bartolo Colon are scheduled to face hitters for the first time Sunday; the Angels hope Weaver can pitch in a Cactus League game in about a week and can rejoin the rotation in April after missing only one start.... Pitcher Matt Hensley proposed to his girlfriend, Elizabeth, the other day -- in a private spot with only the two of them there, rather than in front of a crowd at the ballpark. “I didn’t want to embarrass her -- or myself,” Hensley said. She said yes.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com