Los Angeles Angels Notes, Quotes 2008-11-29

The game was tied 4-4 in the eighth when Speier entered. He got Hideki Matsui to fly out, but then gave up a single, a double, an intentional walk, a single and another double. The loss snapped the Angels' three-game winning streak.

--RHP Anthony Ortega turned in a solid start in his second big-league game despite being asked to take the mound in the pressurized atmosphere of the new Yankee Stadium. "I kept my confidence level up, trusting that whatever I had out there would work no matter what ballpark I'm in," the 23-year-old Ortega said through a translator. "Baseball is baseball. In my mind, I wasn't facing anything but another big-league team. That was my approach -- stay calm, stay confident."

--RHP Justin Speier took the loss Thursday after giving up three runs in the eighth inning. Seven of the Angels' first 12 losses have been charged to the bullpen (tied with the Nationals for the most in the majors). The Angels' bullpen ERA (7.07) is the highest in the majors.

--Jim Adenhart, father of deceased Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, as well as Nick's grandparents and numerous friends, attended Tuesday's game at Camden Yards as guests of the Orioles and Angels. The Orioles made the owner's suite available to the family and friends. "They're trying to move forward one day at a time," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're happy that they're feeling good enough to come out and watch a ballgame. Hopefully, it moves them ahead one more day."

BY THE NUMBERS: 15 -- Consecutive months without a losing record by the Angels. That streak (the longest active streak in the majors) is guaranteed to end with a losing record this April. The Angels' most recent losing month was June 2006 (12-14).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're in a grind right now really. We've got some boys on the DL and when they come back we'll be okay. And we'll be okay now. We've just got to grind it out, get as many wins as we can right now and hopefully it'll all fall in place eventually." -- LHP Joe Saunders.

The Angels have stretched their organizational depth to the breaking point as they try to patch together a pitching staff. LHP Darren Oliver became the seventh player and sixth pitcher on the Angels' DL this week. The Angels started play on Sunday with a 12-man pitching staff. Seven of those 12 spent time in the minor leagues last season. Four began the season there this year. Their current rotation includes three pitchers who did not win a major league game last season (Shane Loux, Matt Palmer and Anthony Ortega).

--LHP Daniel Davidson cleared waivers and will be reassigned to Class AAA Salt Lake. Davidson was designated for assignment last weekend after making four appearances with the Angels.

--C Mike Napoli hit the Angels' first home run in the new Yankee Stadium. Napoli is a .361 (13-for-36) hitter in his career against the Yankees. He and Torii Hunter have combined for 12 of the Angels' 20 home runs this season.

--OF Bobby Abreu made a costly error in the fourth inning of Thursday's loss. But he finished April with a .357 average, his highest for any month since he batted .396 for the Phillies in May 2005.

LHP Darren Oliver (strained left triceps) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19. He threw a bullpen session April 28, and he could be activated May 4.

RHP Kevin Jepsen (lower back spasms) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19.