Howell Making Best of a Good Situation : New Angel Third Baseman Sparks 10-4 Victory Over Indians

For those interested in happy endings, the Angels may have found a rare one this season in newly appointed third baseman Jack Howell.

Less than two weeks ago, Howell was a converted outfielder and part-time infielder. Then came news that the Angels, weary of veteran third baseman Doug DeCinces and intrigued by Howell’s potential, had made a decision: They were giving DeCinces his unconditional release.

The move was surprising because of its timing and manner but never in its intent. The Angels have made little secret of their desire to one day see Howell as the starting third baseman. DeCinces’ release, however mishandled, simply speeded up the process.

In return, Howell has thanked Angel management by going on a mild hitting tear.

Friday night, as the Angels disposed of the Cleveland Indians, 10-4, at Anaheim Stadium, Howell contributed a home run, his 22nd of the season, a single, two runs batted in, and errorless play at third.

Actually, a good time was had by about every Angel in the lineup Friday.

Don Sutton, who lasted five adventuresome innings (three earned runs, eight hits, five strikeouts), evened his season record to 11-11 and now has 321 career victories. This most recent win might come in handy should Sutton, whose contract expires at the end of the season, choose to return next year.

“It’s been a long, tough battle for (Sutton) to get to .500,” Manager Gene Mauch said. “It might not have been a meaningful game to a lot of people, but it was very meaningful to him . . . to sit on a win all winter.”

Wally Joyner, who began the game with just 6 hits in his last 36 at-bats, hit his 31st home run and added another RBI. He now has 114.

Ruppert Jones had two singles, two runs and a catch that robbed Cory Snyder of a homer. Darrell Miller, in a rare start as catcher, contributed a home run as well as a single. And Brian Downing walked three times, scored twice and added a two-run single.

But it was Howell who began things with his first-inning homer. Since DeCinces’ departure Sept. 23, Howell has collected 11 hits in 32 at-bats. In those same 8 games, Howell has 3 home runs and 10 RBIs. And in each of his last three starts, Howell has hit a home run.

Starting suits him well.

“It was like, for two or three years, you wonder when (DeCinces) was going to retire, or wonder if he was going to be released or possibly traded,” Howell said. “You wonder if that will open up a spot for you. That’s what any guy coming up is thinking, if a job is going to be open or, when is he going to take it away.

“The bright point of that day (DeCinces was released) was that it was something that for about 2, 2 1/2 years, I had waited for.”

Howell, who spent 43 games with the Angels in 1985 and another 63 games with them last season, said he was never entirely sure how to approach the semi-platoon system that he and DeCinces shared.

“It was a little awkward,” he said. “We weren’t very close friends. We didn’t hate each other. We adjusted to each other. We could tease each other and have fun, but I wouldn’t say that we were great friends.

“I think it was a weird position, an awkward position, especially toward the end,” he said. “Neither one of us knew when we came to the ballyard . . . if we were going to play. I’m sure it was tough for both of us.”