ANGELS TURN THINGS AROUND APPIER EARNS HIS FIRST VICTORY IN 11 STARTS ANGELS 5, SEATTLE 1.Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer SEATTLE - Mired mire n. 1. An area of wet, soggy, muddy ground; a bog. 2. Deep slimy soil or mud. 3. A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation: the mire of poverty. v. in a four-game losing streak, with half of their starting infield unavailable because of injury and preparing to play behind a starting pitcher Noun 1. starting pitcher - (baseball) a pitcher who starts in a baseball game baseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; that hadn't won in his last 10 starts, the Angels had ample reason to be discouraged entering Wednesday night's game against the Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Mariners have played in Safeco Field. . But instead of fretting before the game, they gathered, 25 strong, around a clubhouse television and laughed their heads off at ``Jackass jackass: see ass. : The Movie,'' followed by several episodes of the juvenile MTV MTV in full Music Television U.S. cable television network, established in 1980 to present videos of musicians and singers performing new rock music. MTV won a wide following among rock-music fans worldwide and greatly affected the popular-music business. comedy. Then, the Angels went out and ended their recent pattern of self- destruction, as Kevin Appier Appier, winless since last Sept. 4 including five postseason starts, needed 108 pitches to complete four-plus innings in Oakland on Friday. He gave up seven earned runs on eight hits. On Wednesday, he needed just 101 pitches to complete six innings, his lone earned run coming on Carlos Guillen's sixth-inning home run. He was backed by a lineup missing second baseman Adam Kennedy, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier Wednesday, and third baseman Troy Glaus, who should be back any day from his hamstring ailment ail·ment n. A physical or mental disorder, especially a mild illness. . The Angels also lost right fielder Tim Salmon after five innings with a tight left groin. But signs of life popped up elsewhere. Scott Spiezio, filling in for Glaus at third base, broke an 0-for-15 slump with a two-run single to cap a three-run first inning off Joel Pineiro. Later, he doubled and hit his first home run of the season in the ninth. Leadoff hitter David Eckstein, who came in with a .125 average and .290 on-base percentage, reached base in his first two plate appearances and scored the Angels' first run. Even temporary second baseman Chone Figgins, recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day and not here for his hitting ability, contributed at the plate by advancing a runner to third, enabling Darin Erstad to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly. But the tone was set by Appier. Manager Mike Scioscia was hoping Appier would trust his pitches more and not try to be too fine early in the game. Appier complied and kept his cool even when it looked like he was starting to wobble wobble /wob·ble/ (wob´'l) to move unsteadily or unsurely back and forth or from side to side. See under hypothesis. wob·ble n. 1. . The first batter of the game, Ichiro Suzuki, reached on a single and Appier walked No. 3 hitter Mark McLemore. But John Olerud flew out to center and Bret Boone grounded into a fielder's choice. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The Angels' Kevin Appier allowed just one earned run in six innings for his first win since Sept. 4 in the Angels' 5-1 victory over Seattle on Wednesday. Elaine Thompson/Associated Press |
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