Scioscia sticking with Hamilton against Royals
Angels outfielder working in cage to get his swing back into form
ANAHEIM -- Josh Hamilton admitted after Thursday's loss in Game 1 of the American League Division Series that "the game was obviously moving a little fast." It was to be expected, after playing in only one of the Angels' last 23 regular-season games and hardly seeing any live pitching in the meantime. And it didn't bode well for Friday's matchup against Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura, who had the highest fastball velocity among starters this year.
But manager Mike Scioscia isn't ready to give up on Hamilton after one 0-for-5 performance.
"Right now, looking at all the alternatives, it's definitely worth playing Josh out now to see where it's going to lead; there's no doubt about that," said Scioscia, who kept Hamilton in the No. 7 spot and also elected to stick with the right-handed-hitting C.J. Cron at designated hitter, rather than going to the left-handed-hitting Efren Navarro.
Scioscia's alternatives for Hamilton were to start Navarro or the right-handed-hitting Collin Cowgill in left field, the latter of whom would've made more sense against soft-tossing lefty Jason Vargas in Game 1. Prior to Game 1, Hamilton had seen velocity only twice since Sept. 4 -- during three plate appearances as a designated hitter on Sept. 16, and during a workout on Tuesday.
Hamilton, who rehabbed ailments in his right shoulder and right side in the meantime, took some early batting-practice in 100-degree heat at Angel Stadium early Friday afternoon, trying to find the hot stretch Scioscia keeps anticipating.
"He's a guy that's a game changer when he's on," Scioscia said. "There is nobody on the bench that we're looking at that's going to go in there and 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 at-bats."