ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SLUMPING FULLMER JUST `NEEDS TO RELAX'.Byline: Dave Werstine Staff Writer ANAHEIM - After a disastrous season trying to find a designated hitter designated hitter n. Baseball Abbr. DH A player designated at the start of a game to bat instead of the pitcher in the lineup. Noun 1. who could produce, the Angels acquired Brad Fullmer Bradley Ryan Fullmer is a major league baseball player who bats left handed and throws right handed. He was born January 17, 1975 in Chatsworth, California. Fullmer last played at the Major League level during the 2004 season with the Texas Rangers. to solve that problem. Or at least that's what they thought. Fullmer, who came to Anaheim through an offseason trade that sent right-hander Brian Cooper to Toronto, is one of a half-dozen or so Angels who have gotten off to slow starts. Over the past two seasons, Fullmer hit 50 homers and 187 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in for the Blue Jays, including 18 and 82 as a DH last year. That was more than the Angels, whose DHs combined for just eight home runs and 56 RBI a year ago. But this season, Fullmer is hitting just .203 with three RBI and no home runs. In a meeting week, Angels manager Mike Scioscia ``The bigger issue with him is not his mechanics. He needs to relax,'' Scioscia said. ``He needs to sit back and say, `I have a good swing. My bat speed is good.' '' Scioscia also talked to Fullmer about his work ethic work ethic n. A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence. work ethic Noun a belief in the moral value of work . It's not that he needs to work harder, just smarter, Scioscia said. --Erstad to return today: As expected, 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). will be back in the Angels' lineup today. ``He's feeling better. He's full go,'' Scioscia said of Erstad, who has missed the past seven games because of postconcussion syndrome. For the second consecutive day, Erstad took part in pregame workouts, and examinations by Dr. Craig Milhouse were negative, paving the way for his return. --Percival impressive: If there were questions about the health of Angels closer Troy Percival Troy Eugene Percival (born August 9, 1969 in Fontana, California) is a Major League Baseball reliever on the St. Louis Cardinals. Percival came out of retirement on June 8, 2007 when he signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals[1]. , he answered them with an impressive ninth inning Friday night. With no outs and runners on first and second, Percival took over for Al Levine and walked Shannon Stewart to load the bases. He then got Eric Hinske to line out to center field. He went to 2-2 on Raul Mondesi before striking him out on a curveball. And he did the same to Carlos Delgado to end the game for his third save in four chances. ``I couldn't have thrown that pitch (curveball) two years ago,'' said Percival, who spent much of the 2000 season battling tendinitis in his right elbow. He was taken off the 15-day disabled list with a strained right intercostal intercostal /in·ter·cos·tal/ (-kos´t'l) between two ribs. in·ter·cos·tal adj. Located or occurring between the ribs. n. A space, muscle, or part situated between the ribs. muscle 10 days ago. But now he can throw it. And just as importantly, he will throw it. ``I'll throw it in any situation,'' Percival said. ANGELS vs. TORONTO Time: 1:05 p.m, Edison Field. TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 830-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish). Matchup: Angels LH Scott Schoeneweis (1-3, 7.33 ERA) will face Toronto RH Brandon Lyon (1-2, 6.75) in the last of a three-game series. CAPTION(S): box Box: ANGELS vs. TORONTO (see text) |
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