Spring Training : Angels : Clements Impressive in Relief

Pat Clements staked a stronger claim to a place in the Angels’ bullpen Friday, pitching 1 shutout innings before the Angels lost to Cleveland, 6-4, in 10 innings.

The 23-year-old left-hander, attempting a jump from the double-A Eastern League, was given a regular-season test by Manager Gene Mauch, who brought him in to face left-handed hitter Brett Butler with two out and a runner on first in the eighth.

Clements walked Butler, which was not what Mauch had in mind, but then got left-handed Mike Hargrove on a grounder to the mound. The Indians got an infield single with one out in the ninth, but Clements then proved that he is lucky, as well as good. Carmen Castillo hit a line drive, but right at second baseman Rob Wilfong, who turned it into a double play.

The Angels trailed, 4-3, going into the home half of the ninth, but Jerry Narron homered to provide an extra inning. The Indians won it in the 10th on home runs by Jerry Willard and Brook Jacoby off Curt Kaufman, whose bid to retain his bullpen seat seems in jeopardy.

Kaufman yielded 15 home runs in 181 innings last year and has now permitted four homers and a total of seven runs in 10 exhibition innings.

The game also represented a setback for Craig Swan in his attempt to come back from two arm operations in 1984.

He had given up only two runs in 12 innings in a bid to win a contract, and his effectiveness had prompted General Manager Mike Port to negotiate a two-year deal with attorney Dick Moss, the Angels desiring to have it agreed to and ready in the event Swan made the team.

The unsigned contract remained in Port’s file, however, as Swan gave up nine hits and four runs in 4 innings.

Swan said his mechanics had been bad and his slider ineffective. He permitted a homer to Hargrove in the first, and three more runs in the fourth.

Asked if he thought that the one bad outing might ruin his chances, Swan said: “I’m trying not to make judgments or think for Gene (Mauch) and Lach (pitching coach Marcel Lachemann). All that does is put extra pressure on you and there’s enough pressure already.

“I’m just trying to do my job. I didn’t pitch well today, but if it was easy, everybody would be out there doing it.”

The Angels collected 14 hits, including 10 off Bert Blyleven, who pitched six innings.

Ruppert Jones hit a solo homer, reserve infield candidate Craig Gerber had three singles, and Reggie Jackson continued his spring assault with a double and a single in five at-bats. Jackson has 16 hits in 46 at-bats for a .356 average.

Angel Notes Jim Slaton pitched three shutout innings for the Angels. . . . Outfielder Juan Beniquez, who pulled a groin muscle March 16, is expected to play against the Giants today. . . . Channel 5 will televise today’s game, as well as Sunday’s with the Cubs, marking the debut of Bob Starr and Joe Torre, the new TV team. . . . Laurie Sevano, the wife of Angel assistant publicist John Sevano, gave birth Thursday night to Keri Laine, their first child.