BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Pitcher Nielsen Makes It to Anaheim

After a rocky spring training and a shaky start at triple-A Vancouver, pitcher Jerry Nielsen finally made it to Anaheim Stadium. He said what hurt him most during the spring was his inability to keep the ball away from the hitters.

“Basically, I wasn’t getting my pitches down in the strike zone,” said Nielsen, who replaced Joe Grahe on the roster. “I was plenty strong. My velocity was good.”

In 28 2/3 innings at Vancouver, Nielsen had 19 strikeouts and gave up 12 walks, 36 hits and 16 earned runs.

“I think I showed them a different side of me,” Nielsen said. “Now, if I can show them out there (in Anaheim Stadium). . . . “

*

Manager Buck Rodgers said catcher John Orton, put on the disabled list because of a sprained left thumb, will probably be sidelined until at least June 25. A date for Grahe’s return from tendinitis in his shoulder is uncertain.

*

The bullpen’s earned-run average on the six-game trip was 9.69. It went into Friday’s game having lost four consecutive decisions and five of six. . . . Chad Curtis’ three-game suspension for his role in last week’s fight with the Toronto Blue Jays ends after tonight. . . . Friday marked the first time that Nielsen, J.T. Snow and Russ Springer--the three players involved in the trade that sent Jim Abbott to the New York Yankees--all were playing for the Angels.