ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SECRET TO BELCHER'S SUCCESS STILL A SECRET.Byline: Joe Haakenson Tim Belcher Whatever Belcher figured out, though, will stay his little secret for now. He already left the ballpark when reporters were allowed into the clubhouse after Friday's game, and Saturday, he politely declined reporters' requests for interviews. Still, one start does not mean Belcher is out of the woods. His ERA remains the worst on the staff at 8.78. But it was a step in the right direction, said catcher Matt Walbeck Matthew Lovick Walbeck (Born: October 2, 1969 in Sacramento, California) is a former righthanded Major League Baseball catcher who played from 1993 to 2003 for the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Anaheim Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. . ``He threw strikes, he kept his fastball down and he threw a nice split-finger,'' said Walbeck, who caught Belcher on Friday. ``He worked both corners and kept people off balance. Most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , he kept the ball down.'' Belcher's next start will be Thursday in Baltimore. Walbeck might get the chance to catch Belcher again for that game and wouldn't mind if he was Belcher's regular catcher. With three catchers on the roster, playing time is at a premium. Walbeck has already become Omar Olivares' regular catcher. Todd Greene Todd Anthony Greene (born May 8, 1971 in Augusta, Georgia) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Anaheim Angels (1996-2000), Toronto Blue Jays (2000), New York Yankees (2001), Texas Rangers 2002-2003) and the Colorado usually catches for Steve Sparks For other uses, see Steve Sparks (disambiguation). Steven William (Steve) Sparks (born July 2, 1965 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a knuckleball-throwing right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher, who graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1987. while Charlie O'Brien
Charles Hugh O'Brien works with Chuck Finley ``With three catchers, it's difficult to keep everybody sharp,'' Walbeck said. ``At the same time, it keeps everybody rested. I've never been on a team that had three catchers, but if that's how (manager) Terry (Collins) wants to do it, that's fine. It's easier to get prepared.'' Trying to fit in: The Angels acquired pitcher Mark Petkovsek from the Cardinals last December not knowing exactly what role he would play. They just knew he could pitch. Petkovsek has been both starter and reliever during his six-year major league career. He prefers to start, but out of the bullpen, he's 3-1 with a 1.56 ERA in 14 games. ``When I came over here, it was the same situation as St. Louis - whatever and whenever the opportunity was, I like the challenge,'' he said. ``You could say starting opportunities are not here this year. That's the way it goes. But I didn't have any preconceived pre·con·ceive tr.v. pre·con·ceived, pre·con·ceiv·ing, pre·con·ceives To form (an opinion, for example) before possessing full or adequate knowledge or experience. expectations.'' So Petkovsek has become a middle man, usually pitching an inning or two at a time but capable of going more. ANGELS vs. TAMPA BAY Time: 5:05 p.m. at Edison Field TV/Radio: No TV; KLAC-AM (570), XPRS-AM (1090, Spanish) Matchup: Steve Sparks (1-3, 5.12 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Tampa Bay's Wilson Alvarez (1-2, 3.04). Tonight the Angels will complete their ``homestand,'' which consisted of three games against the Devil Rays. They're back on the road for six games against Baltimore and Tampa Bay starting Tuesday, giving them 15 road games in an 18-game stretch. - Joe Haakenson CAPTION(S): Box BOX: ANGELS vs. TAMPA BAY (see text) |
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