Angels hit by heat wave in Baltimore

Reporting from Baltimore — How hot was it Friday in Baltimore?

It was so hot you could have steamed crabs without water.

In fact the National Weather Service said it’s never been hotter, with the midafternoon temperature of 107 degrees downtown matching a record set in 1936. And with the humidity at 48%, the heat index — a measurement that factors in the temperature and humidity — was 120 degrees.

“It is what it is. There’s nothing you can change,” said T.J. Harrington, the Angels’ strength and conditioning coach. “So it’s just a hydration issue.”

Harrington said players routinely lose as much as seven pounds just through sweat on hot days so he pushes them to drink plenty of water and Pedialyte, an electrolyte solution often prescribed for children.

Harrington said he also drapes towels soaked in ice water and ammonia over players’ heads.

“It just livens you back up,” he said.

The temperature had dropped to a still-sizzling 104 by game time, and the heat wave isn’t expected to break until the Angels leave Baltimore, with 104-degree temperatures predicted for Saturday. Sunday’s forecast calls for sauna-like conditions: 95 degrees and rain.

Bourjos reactivated

Outfielder Peter Bourjos, out since July 8 with a tight right hamstring, was reactivated from the disabled list after Friday’s game. Manager Mike Scioscia said he expects Bourjos to start in center field Saturday.

“He had a great workout. He ran the bases 100%,” Scioscia said. “He came out of it fine. He’s ready to go.”

Alexi Amarista was returned to triple-A Salt Lake to create a roster spot for Bourjos, who hit .386 in the 19 games prior to his injury. That raised his season average to .272.

Struggling to catch on

Entering Friday catchers Jeff Mathis, Hank Conger and Bobby Wilson had combined to hit .207 (70 for 338), which ranks 27th out of 30 major league teams at the position.

Their .322 slugging percentage (27th), seven home runs (22nd) and 30 runs batted in (24th) don’t rank much higher. And it could get worse since Conger, whose .214 average was the highest of the three, was optioned back to the minors earlier in the week.

But as much as Scioscia stresses defense over offense at the position, he acknowledged the Angels need more production behind the plate.

“We’re waiting for someone back there to give us a lift offensively; that’s important to our team,” he said. “We don’t need them to hit .290, but we can’t absorb .190.

“These guys are still going to contribute more on the defensive end than they will with the bats, but we need some more offense from that position.”

Hunter honored

Torii Hunter is the Angels’ nominee for the Heart and Hustle Award, presented annually by the players alumni association to the big league player “who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”

The overall winner will be announced in November.

kevin.baxter@latimes.com

Times staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this report.