Arbitrator Makes Joyner a Winner : Baseball: First baseman gets $2.1 million instead of the $1.65 million filed by the Angels.

Angel first baseman Wally Joyner became a two-time arbitration winner Saturday when arbitrator Gil Vernon picked Joyner’s salary figure of $2.1 million over the Angels’ figure of $1.65 million.

The number filed by the Angels represented a $100,000 pay cut from Joyner’s 1990 salary of $1.75 million, which was determined when Joyner prevailed in an arbitration hearing last winter after the Angels filed at $1,225,000.

A stress fracture in his right kneecap limited Joyner to 83 games last season. He batted .268 with eight home runs and 41 runs batted in.

Joyner could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Michael Watkins, who presented Joyner’s case to Vernon Friday with Barry Axelrod and Tony Atanasio, wasn’t surprised by the outcome.

“We had a good case, just like we did last year,” Watkins said. “We justified our number. Wally didn’t deserve a cut and that’s what the case was about. When a player produces as he has, he doesn’t deserve a cut.”

Joyner, who has had difficult contract negotiations with the Angels almost every year, will be eligible for free agency after this season. Watkins said Joyner won’t let acrimony in past contract talks affect his future decisions.

“It’s up to Wally in the long run,” Watkins said. “But he’s been with the Angels five years and longer than that in the minors. He’ll have to weigh all the factors.”

Joyner was the first Angel to go through a hearing this winter. Several other players have settled before hearings. Chuck Finley, Dave Gallagher, Jack Howell and Luis Polonia have hearings scheduled in the next two weeks.

Joyner tied pitcher Kirk McCaskill for fifth on the Angels’ 1991 salary scale. Pitcher Mark Langston leads at $3.25 million, followed by outfielder Dave Winfield ($3.2 million), third baseman Gary Gaetti ($2.7 million) and catcher Lance Parrish ($2.25 million).