Trade Is Looking Even Better

There is a lot of season left, but it is becoming more apparent that the dominos in the Angels’ Mo Vaughn-for-Kevin Appier trade with the New York Mets are tilting Anaheim’s way.

Appier has been the Angels’ linchpin in the rotation, but what has been pivotal is the way Scott Spiezio has outproduced Vaughn, whom Spiezio replaced at first base.

Spiezio had 23 runs batted in in 36 games before Monday. Vaughn has 15 RBIs in 30 games. Vaughn sat out three weeks because of a broken finger. Spiezio sat out a week while serving a suspension.

“I’m not going to compare myself to Mo Vaughn,” Spiezio said. “He’s a great player and an All-Star, year in and year out.”

Yet, toss into that mix the Angels are getting production this year from designated hitter Brad Fullmer, who has 16 RBIs, and the Angels have been able to balance the impact of Vaughn’s absence in the lineup.

“To me, acquiring Brad [from Toronto] was what made that trade work,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He is a left-handed bat who can give us run production. That allowed us to trade Mo to improve our pitching.”

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Spiezio has even improved against left-handed pitchers.

His batting average is only slightly better than last season against left-handers (.244 to .239), but he has 14 RBIs, compared with six as a right-handed batter last season. Both his home runs this season have come as a right-handed batter.

Spiezio had 13 home runs last season, but none against left-handed pitching.

“I have always felt comfortable hitting from the right side, but it has been 2 1/2 seasons since I played regularly,” Spiezio said. “My right-handed hitting suffered. I made a few minor adjustments this spring with [hitting coach] Mickey Hatcher. It was like a 15-minute session, but it worked.”

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Shortstop Benji Gil (sprained ankle) will begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Salt Lake City Friday, Scioscia said. Shawn Wooten (thumb surgery) will probably join him next week. Both players are currently working out at the Angels’ facility at Mesa, Ariz.

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Taking one for the team: David Eckstein was hit by a pitch in the second inning Monday. It was the ninth time this season he has been hit, tops in the American League. Eckstein scored when Darin Erstad followed with a triple.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ AARON SELE

(4-2, 5.10 ERA)

vs.

ROYALS’ MAC SUZUKI

(0-0, 0.00)

Edison Field, 7

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Update--Sele, who signed as a free agent during the off-season, has looked solid since being roughed up in his first two starts. He is 4-0 with a 3.72 ERA in his last six starts. Suzuki was recalled from triple-A Omaha Monday.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.