Angels hope to iron out defensive woes

ANAHEIM -- Defensively, the Angels have three center fielders roaming the outfield and a pair of Gold Glove winners on the infield, yet the defense has not been as strong as the team anticipated.

Statistically speaking, it's been the worst in baseball with a league-leading 53 errors and a league-worst .980 fielding percentage.

"There have been some errors and we depend a lot on our defense because we feel our defense is an asset in range and dependability," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It hasn't shown up the way it needs to."

In the past 18 games, the Angels have committed 13 errors. The Angels have also had at least one error in each of the past nine games and also lead the league with 60 stolen bases allowed.

Howie Kendrick leads the team with eight errors, while Alberto Callaspo and Erick Aybar each have seven of their own -- which puts each member of the trio among the top 10 in baseball.

"On the infield side, Alfredo [Griffin] is working very hard with these guys because he has as much confidence as anybody that our defense should be an asset for us, not only the range, but the dependability," Scioscia said.

The Angels are on pace for 124 errors -- 26 more than they committed a season ago.