News
Oliver taking on leadership role in 'pen
Los Angeles (44-35) vs. Baltimore (36-45), 12:35 p.m. PT
Darren Oliver has a 2.83 ERA in 27 appearances this season. (Mark Avery/AP)
By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com
07/05/09 2:15 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- While the Angels' bullpen makeup has continued to change throughout the first half of the season, one piece of its structure has stayed constant.Darren Oliver.
The 38-year-old reliever, in his third season with the Angels, has brought experience and reliability to the bullpen. In 27 games this season, Oliver has pitched 35 innings, giving up 34 hits and striking out 25 with a 2.83 ERA. The last time Oliver gave up a run was June 12 against the Padres. "He has a huge presence in the bullpen, especially for younger guys like myself," reliever Rich Thompson said. "He really brings a sense of calmness and solidarity to the bullpen." After veteran reliever Scot Shields had season-ending surgery to repair the patella tendon in his left knee, the team began looking at Oliver even more to fill Shields' veteran presence. In his 16th Major League season, the majority of which were spent with the Texas Rangers, Oliver has become a go-to-guy for relievers to seek counsel. "With all of his experience in the majors, he is a guy you can go to if you don't know something," Thompson said. "He is a guy that makes a huge difference in the bullpen and in the clubhouse." With injuries throughout the season to relievers Shields, Dustin Moseley and Shane Loux, Oliver's role has become heightened. "It's hard for me to remember a team I have been on that has had more pitching injuries and changes, but we have all stepped it up and pitched well," said Oliver. When anyone on the team seeks counsel from the lefty, there is one thing he always makes sure to reiterate. "I always tell the guys you have to forget about yesterday," Oliver said. "I have learned that in this game you just have to take things day by day." And for Oliver, that is exactly what he seems to be doing. Pitching matchupLAA: LHP Joe Saunders (8-5, 4.24 ERA)
A rough and brief outing at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, where he's 0-5 with an ERA of 11.68, lifted Saunders' ERA from 3.66 to 4.24 on Tuesday night. Saunders yielded a career-high four homers among six hits, coughing up eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. He walked five men, three of whom scored. Amazingly, Saunders is 21-5 with a 2.60 on the road in his career, outside of Arlington. He is 5-0 with a 4.15 ERA in six career starts against the Orioles. BAL: LHP Rich Hill (3-2, 7.08 ERA)
In what seems to be a string of disappointing decisions, Hill had one of his worst outings of the season in his last start, on Tuesday against the Red Sox. The left-hander lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits. Hill ran into trouble from the beginning, allowing a single and a two-run home run in the first three batters he faced. Hill has now given up at least six earned runs in back-to-back starts. Tidbits
Angels second baseman Howard Kendrick barely made it to Angel Stadium in his return Saturday from Triple-A Salt Lake after his flight was delayed and his luggage was lost. ... The Salt Lake Bees lost for the second game in a row Friday, with righty Shane Loux taking the loss. However, shortstop Brandon Wood had two hits. ... Maicer Izturis, with a base hit in the fourth inning of Saturday's game, has now reached base safely in 23 of 27 games. ...Torii Hunter has now hit safely in 21 of his last 24 games. Tickets
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• Monday: Angels (Jered Weaver, 8-3, 3.10) vs. Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 8-5, 2.80), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Angels (John Lackey, 3-3, 4.70) vs. Rangers (Vicente Padilla, 6-4, 4.75), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Angels (TBD) vs. Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 1-1, 3.18), 7:05 p.m. PT
Quinn Roberts is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
