ANGELS NOTEBOOK: THIS RELIEVER KNOWS WHEN TO THROW SLOW.Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - What makes Troy Percival's 95-mph fastball effective is his 77-mph curveball. But when he has no command of the curve he doesn't throw it, and hitters look for his fastball and have a much better chance of hitting it. Percival got his fifth save of the season Friday night when he retired Jose Canseco, Fred McGriff The most entertaining at-bat was Canseco's. Canseco swung and missed a 95-mph fastball for strike one. He took a 77-mph curveball for strike two. Then he struck out swinging on a 79-mph curveball that was out of the strike zone, low and away. While walking back to the dugout, Canseco yelled at Percival: ``Be a man!'' insinuating in·sin·u·at·ing adj. 1. Provoking gradual doubt or suspicion; suggestive: insinuating remarks. 2. Artfully contrived to gain favor or confidence; ingratiating. Percival was less than a man for not challenging him with fastballs. Percival just shrugged off Canseco's display of machismo machismo Exaggerated pride in masculinity, perceived as power, often coupled with a minimal sense of responsibility and disregard of consequences. In machismo there is supreme valuation of characteristics culturally associated with the masculine and a denigration of . ``I think he thinks everybody's supposed to throw him fastballs all the time,'' Percival said. --New record: The home runs by Mo Vaughn Never before, in the 172,235 games played in the history of major-league baseball, had three players hit home runs in the same inning twice in one game. --Belcher's progress: Tim Belcher's performance (5 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit) in his rehab start for Single-A Lake Elsinore on Thursday has the Angels thinking about how he'll fit in with the club's pitching staff. Belcher, recovering from elbow surgery, will make two more rehab starts, both for Triple-A Edmonton. The first one will come next Tuesday and the second April 30. ``Our reports on where he is now compared to two weeks ago are very encouraging,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We're hoping he'll throw the ball the best he has in the last three or four years.'' If he does, or is close to it, Scioscia will have to find a spot for him in the rotation. But just who goes is a question Scioscia hasn't answered yet. ``We'll cross that bridge when we get to it,'' he said. ``We're blessed with a lot of options as far as guys who are pitching well. But (Belcher) is the kind of guy you want to give the ball to. He's a great competitor. Bringing a good arm onto the club or rotation is not a problem.'' |
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