Angels Correspondent Report: Angels Report 4/6

Angels Report 4/6

April 06, 2002

Opening Day Evaluation

The Angels did not look good in their season opener. They were the first team since 1993 to be shut out on opening day. They looked emotionless and looked like they were not ready to play ball. Nothing about the game looked good. They did not hit and their pitching was not effective. This did not look like the team that has a chance can win the American League West.

Garrett Anderson was a bright spot for the Angels on Sunday night. He hit the ball well going 2 for 3. He got 2 of the Angels 5 total hits. Bartolo Colon was demanding and the Angels had no answer for him at the plate. He pitched a complete game shutout.

Washburn started very slowly. Washburn got in trouble immediately, walking leadoff man Matt Lawton. The Indians followed with four consecutive singles -- by Omar Vizquel, Ellis Burks, Jim Thome and Travis Fryman. In the game Washburn gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings, with six strikeouts and one walk.

The Angels looked a rocky in their season opener, and now they have to put that behind them and get ready to play like the team they can play like.

Latest team info

Scott Spiezio�s suspension was lessened this week. He got suspended for participating in a fight against the Padres in a spring training game. Spiezio�s fine was lessened one day by the major league. Spiezio is going to miss the first five games of the season. Troy Galus� suspension was not lessened and he will serve his 2 game ban wont start until April 7.

The Angels recalled right-hander Brendan Donnelly and infielder Clay Bellinger from Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League, because of the injuries to Gill and Percival.

Injuries

The Angels put left-hander Dennis Cook on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because he bruised his left ribcage in a bench-clearing brawl in a March 9 game against San Diego.

Shawn Wooten fell down while catching a pop-up and separated a joint in his thumb. He's scheduled for surgery and is expected to miss four months.

Benji Gill has been put on the 15 day DL. Gil sprained his left ankle after fielding a grounder in the first inning of the win over the rangers.

Troy Percival has also been put on the 15 day DL. Percival was diagnosed with a strained rib muscle April 3, a day after he got his first save of the season. He had been taking anti-inflammatory medication but hadn't had much relief.

Quick Views (ADD)

Salmon- he has a good spring and looks ready to hit the ball hard this season.

Erstad- He will be good to go this year. He is in the number two spot. He also hit the ball real well this spring and is expecting to be back to his 2000

Al Levine will be the closer while Percival is on the DL.