Scioscia sticks with Hamilton
Josh Hamilton was back in the Angels lineup for Game 2 of the American League division series against Kansas City, much to the dismay of many Angels fans who believe the team is better off without him.
Some of those fans booed him Friday night, when he went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in a game the Royals won, 4- 1, in 11 innings to take a 2- 0 lead in the best- of- five series.
Hamilton missed all but one of the team’s final 23 regular- season games because of right shoulder, rib- cage and chest injuries, and he looked rusty in Thursday night’s Game 1 loss, going 0 for 5 with a strikeout and hitting one ball with amodicum of authority.
Afterward, Hamilton admitted “the game was obviously moving a little fast.” In light of that comment, did Manager Mike Scioscia consider sitting Hamilton against flame- throwing Royals righthander Yordano Ventura in Game 2 and starting Efren Navarro or Collin Cowgill in left field?
“I think, right now, looking at all the alternatives, it’s definitely worth playing Josh out now to see where it’s going to lead,” Scioscia said before the game. “He’s a guy who is a game- changer when he’s on. There is nobody on the bench who we’re looking at that’s going to potentially do what Josh can do.
“If it comes to a point where it’s really going the wrong way or we don’t see it happening, I think that’s a valid question and something you’ll look at. But we’re not there yet. He needs to get some atbats.”
TBS analyst Gary Sheffield ripped Hamilton during Thursday night’s telecast, saying, “His body language is a bad sign. You’re in the playoffs. You have to show some fire and energy. Teammates feed off of that. When you see a guy strike out and walk back [ to the dugout] like nothing is going on . . . that is a bad sign for this team.”
Hamilton’s on- field demeanor, though, is prettymuch the same as it was when he won 2010 AL most valuableplayer honors with Texas andwas still one of the game’s elite sluggers in 2012.
“Look at my career, how I respond and react on the field,” said Hamilton, who took early batting practice in 100- degree heat Friday afternoon. “I’m not going to throw my helmet or slam my bat. I’m not going to set a bad example for kids watching.”
Hamilton’s teammates do not appear to have lost faith in him.
“I see a guy who wants to help out,” third baseman David Freese said. “He’s banged up, but he cares. He wants to be there for us. We’re rooting for him. I think his name alone in the lineup can help you. Whether he’s a guy who’s struggling or is on fire, if youmake a mistake, he can change a game.” Herrera sidelined
Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera was diagnosed with a “slight” flexor tendon strain in his forearm, a potentially serious injury that could knock him out for the remainder of the series or longer.
Royals Manager Ned Yost said when Herrera underwent an MRI test, doctors found no damage and very little fluid. Yost called that news “really, really good.” He is hopeful Herrera could be back as soon as Game 3 in Kansas City on Sunday.
The injury, though, is often a sign of ulnar- collateral ligament damage. Angels left- hander Tyler Skaggs suffered a flexor tendon strain earlier this season and later underwent Tommy John surgery.
Herrera is the seventh- inning option in the Royals’ loaded bullpen. He had a 1.41 ERA in 70 regularseason innings. He left Thursday’s game after one batter.
The Royals will now pitch by matchups, with right- hander Jason Frasor and left- handers Brandon Finnegan and Tim Collins as the likely options. Extra bases
Major League Baseball announced start times for Games 4 and5 of the division series, if necessary. Game 4 would be in Kansas City on Monday at 3 p. m. PDT. A Game 5 in Angel Stadium on Wednesday would begin at 5: 30 p. m. if the Detroit- Baltimore series is over or 6 p. m. if there is a Game 5 between the Tigers and Orioles.