Lefties getting their way against Oliver

This is not a good ratio for any pitcher, whatever the circumstance: 21 at-bats, 12 hits.

The Angels didn’t sign Darren Oliver solely as a left-handed relief specialist. They also envisioned him as a long reliever and spot starter. Still, they would hope they could rely on Oliver, the lone left-hander in their bullpen, to get a left-handed hitter out.

Oliver pitched for the New York Mets last season, working exclusively in relief for the first time since 1994. He held left-handers to a .208 average, with five strikeouts for every walk. The Angels also have used him exclusively in relief, but the results against left-handers have been unpleasant.

Detroit’s Curtis Granderson was one for 27 against left-handers before hitting a home run off Oliver on Wednesday. In all, left-handed batters are hitting .571 off him in 21 at-bats, with an equal number of strikeouts and walks.

“There’s nothing wrong with his stuff,” pitching coach Mike Butcher said. “He’s got to get his breaking ball in a better location.

“It’s something he’s aware of. We’ll work on it and get it right. He’s done it his whole career. I’m confident he’ll be fine getting lefties out.”

In his career, left-handers are hitting .289 against Oliver and right-handers .285, according to baseball-reference.com.

*

In the first inning Thursday, the Angels loaded the bases with none out, on two walks and a single. The Tigers’ Jeremy Bonderman had thrown 10 pitches, eight of them balls.

Gary Matthews Jr. did not take a pitch. He grounded into a double play. The Angels did not score, in the inning or the game.

In those situations, Matthews says he focuses on a portion of the strike zone and swings if the pitch is there. It is too simple, he says, to automatically take a pitch from a pitcher struggling with his control. A pitcher searching for the strike zone might throw a fat strike, he says, and the first pitch might be the most hittable pitch he’ll see.

“There can be no rhyme or reason for a pitch sequence,” Matthews said. “You can’t take a pitch and think he’ll give you a 1-0 fastball down the middle.”

*

Reggie Willits did not play because of tightness in his right hamstring and soreness in his right knee, the aftermath of a slide in the ninth inning Wednesday. The Angels hope Willits can return tonight or soon after, although hamstring injuries can be notoriously unpredictable.

“Hopefully it’s not going to be something that will be chronic,” Scioscia said.

Willits, the Angels’ leadoff hitter and left fielder, has one hit in his last 14 at-bats. In his absence, Chone Figgins led off and reached base three times for the first time this season, on two walks and a single.

*

Shortstop Orlando Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 14 games, one shy of his career high.... Figgins made his fifth error in 20 games at third base. He made 10 errors in 34 games at third base last season.... Second baseman Howie Kendrick, activated from the disabled list Wednesday, did not start Thursday as Scioscia tried to ease him back into the lineup. He did enter the game in the seventh inning, in a wholesale lineup change that included Kendry Morales playing in the outfield for the first time in his major league career.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com