Cooper Receives a Rude Awakening

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —  The starting rotation he has been so optimistic about had been ripped for 22 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings over four games, leaving Angel Manager Mike Scioscia’s patience a little thin when Brian Cooper gave up six runs to the San Francisco Giants in the second inning Monday.

“He got in my face a bit, and that woke me up,” Cooper said.

“I knew I better start getting the ball down, or I’d be in trouble. It was an ultimatum, and sometimes that helps. It snaps you into shape.”

Cooper retired the side in order in the third and fourth before yielding to Kent Mercker, who gave up only two runs and five hits in four innings, and Eric Weaver, who threw a scoreless ninth.

That gave the Angel offense a chance to come back.

Garret Anderson hit a pair of two-run homers, Jim Edmonds had three hits and two RBIs, and Troy Glaus had two hits and two RBIs in the Angels’ 9-8 Cactus League victory.

“I made no adjustment pitching from the stretch in the second inning, and instead of stepping off and taking a breather, I just kept throwing,” Cooper said. “It was more of a concentration thing than mechanics. I’ve got to realize what I’m doing and make the adjustment.”

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The competition for the second base job thinned out considerably when Justin Baughman, one of the leading candidates before spring training, was reassigned to minor league camp, leaving Scott Spiezio and Trent Durrington to battle for the spot.

Baughman showed he had fully recovered from a broken left leg, which caused him to miss the 1999 season. But he was rusty defensively, committing three errors, and Scioscia said he lacked confidence.

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Right fielder Tim Salmon has been unable to play since Saturday because of back spasms. His condition is not considered serious, and Salmon is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday.

Ramon Ortiz (shoulder injury) and Jarrod Washburn (strained chest muscle) long-tossed for 10 minutes and threw off a bullpen mound for eight minutes.

Ortiz said his arm “feels great,” and Scioscia was encouraged by Washburn’s progress. Each will have another bullpen workout this week, and Ortiz could pitch in an exhibition game next week.