ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SCIOSCIA MIXING THINGS UP.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer ANAHEIM - The season is only five games old, and already manager Mike Scioscia's batting order Noun 1. batting order - (baseball) a list of batters in the order in which they will bat; "the managers presented their cards to the umpire at home plate" lineup, card has been posted four different ways. The only constants in the five lineups so far have been Darin Erstad Darin Charles Erstad (born June 4, 1974 in Jamestown, North Dakota) is a first baseman/center fielder in Major League Baseball currently with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to 2007, he had played his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim franchise (1996-2006). batting leadoff, Vladimir Guerrero Vladimir Alvino Guerrero (born February 9, 1976 in Don Gregorio, Nizao, Dominican Republic), and known in his native Dominican Republic as Miquéas (Spanish for Micah), is a Major League Baseball right fielder who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. hitting third and Garret Anderson Garret Joseph Anderson (born June 30, 1972 in Los Angeles, California) is a Major League Baseball left fielder who has played his entire career for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. fourth. Scioscia likes to use the term ``mix and match,'' but it's more out of necessity than choice. ``We do it on need,'' Scioscia said. ``In 2000 we had a set lineup the whole year from one through seven. In 2002 once we got settled we had a consistent lineup. It might help a hitter (to be in the same spot every day), but putting a hitter in a (different) situation to succeed, that helps a guy too. There are a couple ways to look at it. ``I don't agree that it helps all hitters to grind it out in one spot. It helps at times to move things around.'' Erstad had one of the best seasons by 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. in major-league history in 2000, but since then he's bounced around from anywhere from second to sixth before going back to leadoff this season. --Pressing situation: 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 Robb Quinlan Robb William Quinlan (born March 17, 1977 in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a Major League Baseball player. He currently plays third base for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Quinlan graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1999, obtaining a degree in marketing and communications. was not in the starting lineup Saturday for the first time this season, replaced by Maicer Izturis. Scioscia said it was a combination of wanting to get Izturis into a game and giving Quinlan, who has made two errors and is hitting .167 (2 for 12), a chance to rest his mind. ``We want to give Izzy some at-bats and have that defensive presence at third base,'' Scioscia said. ``And Q's been pressing a little bit.'' --No sting in swing: The Angels sent third baseman Dallas McPherson to Triple-A Salt Lake to get some at-bats, and at-bats he's getting. But going into Saturday's game, he had no hits. --On the mend: Second baseman Adam Kennedy (Cal State Northridge) begins his rehabilitation assignment today, first at extended spring training in Mesa, Ariz., then at an as-yet-to-be-determined minor-league affiliate. Kennedy had knee surgery last October. Joe Haakenson, (626) 962-8811 joe.haakenson(at)sgvn.com |
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