He provides protection in lineup

When the Baltimore Orioles traded for outfielder Luke Scott, they figured they were adding an offensive weapon, but they probably didn’t realize that weapon came with a weapon.

Scott recently revealed that he carries a concealed Glock pistol almost everywhere he goes.

“We live in an imperfect world,” Scott said. “If you have money and fame, you’re more of a target to the criminal element. There are people who steal, who murder people for what they have. That’s the reality of life. If you’re not prepared, it could cost you your life.”

Scott, who batted .255 with the Houston Astros last season, entered Friday’s game second in the American League with a .417 batting average.

Perhaps pitchers are being extra nice with their fastballs.

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Trivia time

In 2006, Scott became the first Astros rookie to hit for the cycle. What else was distinct about his cycle?

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Padding his stats

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has been white hot since returning from a three-month injury layoff on Feb. 28.

He’s 11-2-1 and hasn’t given up more than three goals since returning and switching from yellow goalie pads to white. “White, they’ve been good,” said Fleury, who shut out the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of their playoff series.

The switch came after an optometrist suggested that yellow is the most distinguishable color and Fleury’s yellow pads provided opponents with an easier-to-find target.

That optometrist now probably wishes she hadn’t given the advice.

She’s from Ottawa.

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Beach bum

Former NFL quarterback Jay Fiedler made his pro beach volleyball debut, losing in the first round of qualifying for the AVP Tour season opener in Miami.

Fiedler and Marcos Macau lost, 21-13, 21-14, to Russ Marchewka and Mike Placek.

Sounds as if there weren’t many Fiedler spikes in the opponents’ end zone.

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All you need is glove

Florida Marlins outfielder Josh Willingham didn’t catch the ball, but he saved the game.

Willingham reached over the top of an eight-foot fence in the ninth inning Thursday night in an attempt to catch an apparent tying home run by Nick Johnson of the Washington Nationals.

He got his glove on the ball, but it popped out as he fell. Still, he kept it in play, held Johnson to a double and two outs later, the Marlins won, 4-3.

“That was the best play I’ve ever made without catching it,” Willingham said.

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Whistle while you work

Construction workers on the job building the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium have had the tables turned on them and report that they are getting whistled at -- by the structure.

Strong winds have caused an eerie whistling sound that sometimes emanates from the construction site, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Construction manager Jack Hill said engineers expect the whistling will go away when the roof is attached.

And then the workers can get back to whistling at ladies passing by on the street below.

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Trivia answer

The order of Scott’s hits -- home run, triple, double, single -- made it a “reverse natural cycle.” He and Gee Walker of the 1937 Detroit Tigers are believed to be the only players to hit for the cycle in that order.

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And finally

Andy Roddick probably didn’t endear himself to many local fans at the Davis Cup in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Asked why tennis was not as popular as football and NASCAR, he replied: “It’s a little disappointing that we’re behind a sport that you turn left for four hours.”

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peter.yoon@latimes.com