Cowgill focused on reaching base ahead of sluggers

ANAHEIM -- Angels outfielder Collin Cowgill steadfastfully refuses to budge an inch from his "one day at at time" approach.

Based on how it's worked for him the past month as a regular, why should he?

"I still take it one day at a time," Cowgill said. "My goal, whether it's my sixth game in a row or one in a week, is to be on first base with guys like Mike [Trout], Albert [Pujols] and, when he gets back, Josh [Hamilton] coming up. The more I can be on base, the better chance we have to win."

Cowgill, hitting .321 with a .421 on-base percentage, has reached base in 22 of his 23 starts, with hits in 12 of the past 13. He walked six times in his last 12 plate appearances prior to Thursday's 6-5 comeback win, and the Angels are 14-9 with him as a starting outfielder.

"Collin's always had the ability to play every day," manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's getting an opportunity [with Hamilton and Kole Calhoun injured], and he's made the most of it.

"We've had a lot of guys come through, but without the contributions from Collin, we'd have a tough time scoring the runs we need to win. He's doing a tremendous job. He can lead off, he can hit anywhere in the lineup, wherever we need him."

Cowgill led off against the Rays, his 11th such assignment.