Palmeiro Doing a Fine Job as Fill-In Outfielder

There was a lot of hand wringing this spring over how the Angels would squeeze four outfielders into one lineup, but the problem has yet to arise. Jim Edmonds is on the disabled list, Darin Erstad is at first filling in for the injured Mo Vaughn, and Orlando Palmeiro--once forgotten outfielder No. 5--is getting most of the starts in left field.

“I’d rather have it the other way, quite frankly,” Palmeiro said, “but this is kind of why I’m here. I never know how long of a stretch I’ll be in there, so I just have to concentrate on doing what I can do, work the count, get on base, and help the team.”

Palmeiro started 19 of 30 games between July 29 and Aug. 30 last season and hit .298. He had 10 hits in his last 31 at-bats going into Saturday night’s game against Seattle. But he’s not adding up the numbers to make a case about what he could do if he was an everyday player.

“This is a game of constant adjustment and I don’t think you ever really settle in, even if you’re playing every day,” he said.

Manager Terry Collins is confident he can count on Palmeiro as a starter, a pinch-hitter or runner, or a defensive replacement.

“He’s as good an extra outfielder as any team could ask for,” Collins said. “He’s done a great job and even when his playing time gets cut back, he’ll still be fine.”

*

The Angels were still seething Saturday about Seattle starter Jamie Moyer plunking Palmeiro and Troy Glaus on Friday night. They were most upset about Moyer’s pitch to Glaus, which was a foot behind the streaking third baseman.

Moyer, however, said the pitch that struck Glaus in the hip and loaded the bases with one out simply got away from him.

“To start with, I’m not going to hit anybody and load the bases and No. 2, who am I to intimidate anybody?” said Moyer, who’s not exactly a power pitcher. “And No. 3, we’re still in the game at that point [the Angels led, 5-2].

“How they decide to take it is their opinion, but I’m not going to get involved with that baloney.”

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ STEVE SPARKS (0-2, 7.20 ERA)

vs.

MARINERS’ BRETT HINCHLIFFE (0-0, 5.68 ERA)

Edison Field, 5

TV--ESPN. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Update--The Angels’ offense--sans Mo Vaughn and Jim Edmonds--hasn’t been exactly struggling thanks to a significant contribution from the bottom of the order. The Nos. 6 and 7 hitters, third baseman Troy Glaus and designated hitter Todd Greene, both are already in double figures in RBIs and No. 9, shortstop Andy Sheets, is batting over .300. The Angels signed right-handed reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa to a one-year contract extension believed to be worth about $1 million for the 2000 season. The club has an option for 2001.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.