VENTURA COUNTY NEWS : ANGELS REPORT : Veterans Administration Gives Angels a Boost

They are veteran role players when the Angels are looking at as many young players as possible. Still, catcher Matt Walbeck and utility man Jeff Huson have fit into the situation.

Wednesday, for instance, Walbeck had a two-out pinch-single in the 10th. And Huson, who had stayed in the game after pinch-hitting in the eighth, followed by lining a double into the right-field corner. Walbeck beat the relay to the plate and the Angels had a 6-5 victory.

“The important thing is, you feel part of the team and contribute to a win,� Walbeck said. “To get in the game late, it shows the manager has faith in you and it makes you feel good. Especially when you come out on top.�

Walbeck would like to be the Angels’ No. 1 catcher next season. But rookies Ben Molina and Bret Hemphill will do most of the catching this month, leaving Walbeck to ponder his future.

“Matt knows the situation and has handled it very well,� Manager Joe Maddon said. “We need his hitting late in the games and he has been very good at being ready.�

Walbeck, although batting only .244, has three singles and a walk the last four times he was sent up as a pinch-hitter. He has developed a ritual for staying ready.

“I’ll go down to the bullpen in the fifth and do some catching,� he said. “I’ll take some dry swings in the seventh, or maybe hit in the cage. After that, I just shut up and watch. I don’t say a word, I stay focused and ready when he says to get out there.�

Huson has been aware of his situation since the season began. He just never imagined he would get all the playing time he has.

He has played in 80 games and has 183 at-bats, the most he has had since 1992, when he was with Texas. He is batting .284.

“This year I’ve had the opportunity to play a lot and I’ve had the opportunity to pinch-hit a lot and that gives you the confidence to go up and do it,� Huson said. “I’m not saying I’m going to get a hit every time, but it sure makes it a lot easier to do what I’ve done this year getting the playing time.�

Huson leads the team with six pinch-hits.

*

Lost in the Angels’ 14-1 victory Tuesday was outfielder Jeff DaVanon racing home from first base on Garret Anderson’s eighth-inning double. He was literally following in his father’s cleat marks.

Jerry DaVanon was an Angel infielder in 1973. He had 49 at-bats in 41 games, hit .245, and never played with the team again.

“Dad told me to take a deep breath before my first at-bat,� DaVanon said.

He did, and walked. in his first major league at-bat.

* Opponent--Minnesota Twins, four games.

* Site--Metrodome, Minneapolis.

* Tonight--5.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight, Sunday and Monday.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 55-84, Twins 58-80.

* Record vs. Twins--3-3.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

CHUCK FINLEY

(8-11, 4.74 ERA)

vs.

TWINS’

BRAD RADKE

(12-12, 3.79)

* Update--The Angels have won three consecutive games for the first time since before the All-Star break. They are 15-39 since the break and would have to go 8-15 to avoid losing 100 games for the first time. Finley missed his last start because of a strained hip. He is 3-1 with a 1.63 earned-run average in his last three starts. Brad Radke, who is traditionally tough on the Angels, is 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA in his last three starts.

* Saturday, 9 a.m. PDT--Ramon Ortiz (1-1, 4.68) vs. Eric Milton (6-11, 4.88).

* Sunday, 11 a.m. PDT--Jarrod Washburn (1-3, 7.62) vs. Joe Mays (5-8, 4.36).

* Monday, 5 p.m. PDT--Brian Cooper (1-0, 1.29) vs. LaTroy Hawkins (9-11, 6.45).