BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Good Comes to DiSarcina, Who Waits

There are no extra muscles bulging out of his sleeves from a winter weight-lifting program, and aluminum bats aren’t allowed in the major leagues, so how do you explain shortstop Gary DiSarcina’s 1995 power surge?

Through Tuesday’s game, the Angels’ 44th, DiSarcina had 22 extra-base hits--16 doubles, four triples and two home runs. DiSarcina had 19 extra-base hits in all of 1994 (112 games), 24 in 1993 (126 games) and 22 in 1992 (157 games).

“I can’t really explain it, except I’m getting some mistakes to hit,” said DiSarcina, who is batting .319 from the No. 9 spot. “It’s more knowing myself a little better, maturing a little bit. I’m a lot more selective up there.”

DiSarcina ranked fourth in the American League last season in least pitches seen per plate appearance (3.12), but he has been more selective this season, not hacking at the first strike he sees.

“My first few years I swung at any fastball,” said DiSarcina, who ranks second in the league in doubles and third in triples. “This year I’m just swinging at the ones I can drive and taking the borderline ones.”

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Second baseman Damion Easley, who missed the last five games because of a sprained right wrist, is expected to return to the starting lineup tonight.

Easley, injured June 3 in New York, said he felt no pain while taking batting practice and infield Wednesday night, but overcoming the mental hurdles of such an injury might present more of a challenge than the physical ones.

“I use a lot of top hand on my swing and it could hinder my extension,” Easley said. “My style is to get dirty a lot and my wrist is going to be involved, so I just have to block it out.”

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The Twins scored two runs in the first inning Wednesday night, one of them unearned, which marked the first time Angel pitcher Russ Springer had allowed an unearned run in 137 2/3 major league innings. He had allowed 106 earned runs before Wednesday.

The Angels’ victory over Minnesota Tuesday marked the first time this season Angel starting pitchers (Mark Langston, Chuck Finley, Shawn Boskie) have been credited with victories in three consecutive outings.

Catcher Greg Myers (strained left quadriceps) is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday but won’t return to the team until next week at the earliest.

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Brian Anderson, making his third and final rehabilitation start for Class-A Lake Elsinore, allowed one run on three hits in five innings Wednesday night at Stockton. The left-hander, who suffered a strained left biceps May 5, threw 84 pitches.

He is expected to rejoin the Angel rotation for Monday’s game against Kansas City.