Wilson gets hands-on during milking contest

ANAHEIM -- Alex Wilson has performed in nearly every role out of the Tigers' bullpen since his callup a month ago. He did not expect to be named the team's cow milker.

When the Angels needed a Tigers player to oppose reliever Alfredo Marte in the pregame contest on the field Friday night, however, Wilson was volunteered. It's an occasional contest at Angel Stadium, and past Tigers contestants have included Tom Brookens and Franklyn German.

"I walked in and they asked me if I'd milked a cow before," Wilson said. "I'd done it twice, but not since I was a kid."

Wilson grew up working on a farm, and performed just about every task imaginable, from feeding to cleaning up the barn. Milking cows, however, usually wasn't on his list, since they had machines to do that. Put on the spot, however, he performed well.

"I got into it," he said.

After a couple of minutes, Wilson was just about even with Marte as they switched cows. About midway through the second half of the contest, however, the second cow decided it had enough of Wilson and started walking away.

Wilson eventually got him back under control, but as he pointed out, it cost him several seconds and a lot of milk as a result.

"I got cheated," he said.