ANGELS NOTEBOOK: IZTURIS WORKING ON DURABILITY.Byline: DOUG PADILLA Douglas ("Doug") Padilla (born October 4, 1956 in Oakland, California) is a former middle and long distance runner from the United States, who won the overall Grand Prix 1985 and the World Cup 5000m race in 1985. Staff Writer ANAHEIM -- One reason manager Mike Scioscia Izturis has had hamstring problems all season in both legs. He was on the disabled list for a month with a hamstring strain and has been dealing with bouts of tight hamstrings the entire second half. So even when Izturis was showing a better proficiency at reaching base than Figgins, when he flourished out of the No. 2 hole, putting him in the demanding role of a leadoff hitter In baseball, a leadoff hitter is a batter who bats first in the lineup. Strategy Leadoff hitters must possess certain traits to be successful: they must reach base at a proficient rate and be able to steal bases. was a concern. The leg issues have gotten so bad for Izturis that he is resigned to doing something about it this offseason. He typically does leg weights in the offseason, but this winter he will add an entire leg-strengthening program, complete with sprinting drills. Izturis still plans on playing winter ball in his native Venezuela, but will work his leg program around games. The projection for next season is that Izturis will return to being the team's primary infield utility man. The Angels are expected to search for a productive first and third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker this offseason, along with a center fielder. Pitching also is a desire. When winter ball starts, Izturis plans to return to his natural position after playing at third most of this season. ``In winter ball I will play shortstop, but if they want me to play third base, I'll see,'' he said. Izturis' most recent hamstring-related day off came Sunday at Detroit after he tweaked his leg late in Saturday's game. But he said Sunday morning Sunday Morning may refer to:
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. . Since the All-Star break, Izturis is batting .323 with a .379 on-base percentage. Figgins is batting .235 ove that span with a .318 on-base percentage. All A's: At first glance, the remaining schedule appears to be in favor of the Angels instead of the Oakland Athletics. The Angels enter play today 5 1/2 games behind the A's with 21 games remaining. The A's have 22 games to play. Not counting the seven games the Angels and A's play against each other over the season's final 10 days, the Angels' opponents (Blue Jays, White Sox, Rangers and Royals) are a combined seven games under .500. Oakland's opponents (Devil Rays, Twins, White Sox, Indians and Mariners) are two games over .500. Another negative for the Angels: they only have two more games against an opponent under .500, while the A's have 10. doug.padilla@sgvn.com (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2731 CAPTION(S): box Box: ANGELS vs. TORONTO - Doug Padilla |
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