A.L.(American League baseball)

Anaheim Angels

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Molina's surge doesn't eliminate his disappointment

C Bengie Molina set a club record last week with hits in nine straight at-bats, but he remains unhappy about his offensive performance this season. Molina says his recent upturn is the result of seeing the ball better and getting some breaks. He has lamented the number of spectacular plays made against him by opposing outfielders, but two hits during his streak were grounders to third that weren't fielded cleanly. Molina is given a lot of credit by manager Mike Scioscia for helping mold the pitching staff, particularly the young starters, into one of the best in the league. ... The team doesn't have a regular designated hitter. Scioscia uses the spot to give regulars a "semi" day off or to give bench players some at-bats. Production from the spot has been poor. Scioscia has used 15 different players at DH, including three players no longer with the team (Glenallen Hill, Jose Fernandez and Wally Joyner). Shawn Wooten has started at DH more than any other player--21 times.... 3B Troy Glaus, who has been hitting third, continues to slump. He has had most of his success in the No. 2 spot, from which he is hitting close to .300. Scioscia might put Glaus back in the No. 2 spot against selected lefthanders. ... Last season, RHP Shigetoshi Hasegawa was closer Troy Percival's primary setup man. But when Hasegawa went to the D.L. with a shoulder problem in May, the Angels were forced to find other options. Both RHPs Al Levine and Ben Weber have pitched well in the setup role, and now that Hasegawa is back and relatively healthy, the Angels have three relievers they trust in that role.

SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Pat Rapp is the epitome of a journeyman pitcher; the Angels are his sixth team in the last five seasons. But he makes his starts and eats up innings. Rapp doesn't throw hard, topping out at about 90 mph but usually is in the 87-mph range. He also throws a cutter and relies on movement, but location is the most crucial aspect of his pitching. Rapp's bad games have been similar in that he gets behind in the count and opposing hitters tee off on his mediocre fastball. Rapp, though, usually gives the team a chance to win. He has given up more than four earned runs only three times in his 26 starts.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: David Eckstein has been the short-term fix at shortstop, but Scioscia won't rule out Eckstein becoming the long-term answer. Eckstein (5-7, 170) doesn't have the tools many other big-league shortstops have, but Scioscia is quick to point out that Eckstein has gotten the job done at every level. He has been a solid hitter this year and is a pest from the leadoff spot. Defensively, he doesn't have the arm many shortstops have, but he's steady. --Joe Haakenson

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