Rookie Needs to Keep Cool

ARLINGTON, Texas â€”  With game-time temperatures of 95 degrees Monday night, 94 Tuesday night and 95 Wednesday night, the Angels have been careful to hydrate properly and replace lost electrolytes.

But the worst of the Texas heat could come today, when the Angels and Rangers play a day game in temperatures that are expected to reach 100 degrees. Ervin Santana, a 22-year-old rookie right-hander, will start for the Angels.

“Fortunately, we have the kid going,� Angel pitcher Jarrod Washburn said. “It’s a nice draw for us older guys. But I don’t know who to feel more sorry for, the pitcher or the catcher. Probably the catcher.�

Manager Mike Scioscia, the former Dodger catcher, recalled playing a game in St. Louis when temperatures “were like 135 degrees on the field.� Scioscia tried to score from first on a double “and when I got to third base I felt like I was moon-walking,� he said. “My body went numb.� Scioscia was out at the plate.

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While shaving down the bone spur in Kelvim Escobar’s elbow during surgery Wednesday, doctors also found and removed a small bone chip. The right-hander is expected to be sidelined for two months.

Bartolo Colon, who pitched Monday night, spent the last two nights in the team hotel because of flu-like symptoms but is expected to make his next start Saturday against the Royals in Kansas City.

Catcher Bengie Molina, who sat out two games because of food poisoning, felt strong enough to enter the game in the ninth inning Wednesday night. Orlando Cabrera (inflamed elbow) missed his third straight game Wednesday but could return by today or Friday.

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With Garret Anderson’s game-winning grand slam in the 11th inning off Ranger reliever Brian Shouse Tuesday night, the Angel left fielder had eight hits, including two home runs, in 13 at-bats for a .615 average this season when a left-hander was brought in from the bullpen to face him. Anderson’s homer Tuesday gave him five straight hits in such situations, until Shouse got him to foul out in the eighth inning Wednesday night.

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Cuban refugee Kendry Morales busted out of his double-A slump (.156 in his first 12 games) with three home runs and five runs batted in against San Antonio on Tuesday night.