ANGELS NOTEBOOK: DICKSON LOOKS LIKE DICKSON AGAIN.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer TEMPE, Ariz. - All spring long, manager Mike Scioscia's praise of his pitchers was met with smirks. Scioscia had been searching for any smidgen of good in each pitcher's outing, even though opposing teams were scoring 7.7 runs per game and hitting .328 off Angels pitching. Scioscia met reporters after Wednesday's game with an I-told-you-so attitude, thanks to Jason Dickson's performance in the Angels' 6-3 victory over the San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. Padres at Tempe Diablo Stadium Tempe Diablo Stadium is a baseball field located in Tempe, Arizona. It is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the home field for night games of the Arizona League Tempe Angels. . Dickson gave up one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, a dramatic improvement in results from his three previous appearances in camp, and a year removed from shoulder surgery. ``We talked about his command getting better, but he matched it with velocity,'' Scioscia said. ``His pitches were crisper crisp·er n. One that crisps, especially a compartment in a refrigerator used for storing vegetables and keeping them fresh. and his command of his off-speed pitchers were the best we've seen. The way he pitched today was the way he pitched when he was on the All-Star team (in 1997).'' The results of Dickson's previous two starts were anything but encouraging (six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings). But he said he was pitching better than the numbers showed. ``Every start in spring training is important for me,'' he said. ``I didn't start out the way I wanted to, but I knew my arm strength was getting better as we went on. Today was one of those days I felt on top of my game. ``My last two starts I thought I threw the ball well. It's easy to shrug off the results and say it's only spring training. On the other hand, being the competitor I am, I wanted the results. But the way I threw today, I didn't change anything, I had the same game plan.'' Dickson is in the running for a spot in the rotation and Scioscia said the decision on who makes it and who doesn't will go right down to the end of camp. ``There's time yet, time to make decisions,'' Scioscia said. ``There are too many guys still in the mix to say a guy is or isn't.'' Others in the mix are Ramon Ortiz, Scott Schoeneweis Scott David Schoeneweis [SHOW-en-WEISS] (born October 2, 1973, in Long Branch, New Jersey) is an American left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He plays for the New York Mets. , Brian Cooper, Kent Mercker Kent Franklin Mercker (born February 1, 1968) is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who has played for nine teams over his seventeen-year career. He currently is a free agent. and Tom Candiotti --Kelly retires: One day after Scioscia said he was still in the running for the starting job at second base, Pat Kelly retired. ``P.K. and I had a long talk (Wednesday) morning,'' Scioscia said. ``He came to the same conclusion we did. His shoulder injury won't feel better in a month or two months. He has damage in the shoulder that wasn't going to allow him to fill a need of ours, and that's to play second base every day.'' The competition has been narrowed to Scott Spiezio Scott Edward Spiezio (born September 21, 1972 in Joliet, Illinois) is a Major League Baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the son of former Cardinal Ed Spiezio. and Trent Durrington Trent John Durrington (born August 27, 1975 in Sydney, Australia) is a Major League Baseball player who is presently under a Minor League contract with the Cleveland Indians. He is primarily a second baseman. . Spiezio homered Wednesday and is hitting .350 this spring; Durrington is hitting .188 but has more speed and defensive range than Spiezio. Benji Gil Romar Benjamin Gil Aguilar (born October 6, 1972, in Tijuana, Mexico) was a Major League Baseball utility player. Gil made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on April 5, 1993. has wrapped up a job as a utility infielder A utility infielder is a baseball player, usually someone who does not have a regular starting role on the team, who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions: second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base. . Wednesday he had three hits to raise his spring average to .343, and he played flawless shortstop. The other candidate for the job was Jason Bates Jason Charles Bates (born January 5, 1971 in Downey, California) was a Major League Baseball infielder who played a total of four seasons, spanning from 1995-1998. Bates played his final game on September 27, 1998, as a member of the Colorado Rockies. , who was released Wednesday. The Angels also optioned outfielder Norm Hutchins to triple-A Edmonton. --Notes: Tim Salmon ANGELS GLANCE When/Where: (split-squad) 12:05 p.m. at Tempe Diablo Stadium; 12:05 p.m. at Hi Corbett Field. Radio/TV: KLAC-570, XPRS-1090. Today's game(s): A's at Angels - Tom Candiotti starts for Anaheim against Oakland's Ron Mahay. Angels at Rockies - Derrick Turnbow starts for Anaheim against Colorado's Scott Karl. Wednesday's results: Jason Dickson gave up one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings to help his chances in his quest for a spot in the starting rotation. Benji Gil, a lock to win a job as a utility infielder, had three hits. Scott Spiezio homered and the Angels improved to 10-12 with a 6-3 win over the Padres. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Angels manager Mike Scioscia says that Jason Dickson, who pitched a strong game on Wednesday, could be a step closer to a place in the starting rotation. Roy Dabner/Associated Press Box: ANGELS GLANCE (see text) |
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