Palmer makes his case

Returning to their regularly scheduled starting rotation might not represent much of an upgrade for the Angels if it means displacing Matt Palmer.

All the 30-year-old right-hander has done since being promoted from the minor leagues last month is impress, his latest start propelling the Angels to a 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night at Angel Stadium.

The Missouri native proved his worth against a team from the Show-Me State, giving up one run and two hits in 5 1/3 innings to help the Angels move back to the .500 mark for the first time since April 13.

“As long as I can keep plugging along, that’s what I plan on doing,” said Palmer, who had a career-high five strikeouts and gave up a career low in hits during a start.

In a more startling development, the most beleaguered bullpen in the major leagues dazzled after a rare night off. Darren Oliver, Jose Arredondo and Brian Fuentes combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings, marking only the eighth time in 27 appearances this season that the bullpen has not given up a run.

It could also soon be lights out for Palmer, though in a different way.

With ace John Lackey and former 16-game winner Ervin Santana on the verge of returning from rehabilitation assignments, the Angels will soon have some decisions to make.

One starting spot will almost surely be vacated by struggling starter Anthony Ortega, leaving the Angels to choose between Palmer (3-0) and Shane Loux, who has won his last two starts.

“All Matt can do is continue to pitch well,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “When we get to the point of making a decision of what our rotation will be, all you can do is make a case to be the guy throwing the ball the best.”

Palmer wasn’t spectacular Friday, but he was good enough. He didn’t give up a hit until the fourth inning and didn’t get into serious trouble until David DeJesus walked leading off the sixth and went to second on Mark Teahen’s single to left field.

Palmer got Jose Guillen to hit into a fielder’s choice, leaving runners on first and third with one out, before Scioscia summoned Oliver.

The reliever surrendered a run-scoring double to Billy Butler just out of the reach of center fielder Torii Hunter before recovering to get the final two outs and preserve a 2-1 lead.

The Angels extended their advantage in the bottom of the inning when Juan Rivera doubled to right-center and Howie Kendrick lofted a fly ball down the right-field line. When right fielder Guillen failed to make the catch after a long run, the ball fell in fair territory and rolled toward the wall down the line.

“I closed the glove before the ball got there,” Guillen said. “No excuses. I just messed it up. I got there in time.”

After jogging around first base, Kendrick accelerated and made it all the way home for a two-run, inside-the-park home run, the Angels’ first since Gary Matthews Jr. had one June 17, 2007, against the Dodgers.

“If you want to call it an inside-the-parker, go ahead,” Royals starter Gil Meche said. “I’d rather not comment on that one.”

Mike Napoli continued his stellar work at designated hitter, scoring the Angels’ first run and driving in the second, to help his team improve to 3-1 in games in which he has started at the designated hitter spot.

--

ben.bolch@latimes.com