ALCS: Angels get off redeye for some shuteye

By MARC TOPKIN
Published October 13, 2005

CHICAGO - And today, they'll rest.

After playing four intense games in four nights in three time zones, and after returning to Southern California on their third long-distance flight in the past four nights, the Angels will get today off.

No workout.

No interviews.

No reason to even come to Angel Stadium.

"I think (today) will be a big day for us to really get some rest, catch our breath," second baseman Adam Kennedy said.

"Just relax," reliever Scot Shields said. "It's been a pretty tough week on us with the travel schedule. ... I think most of us are going to just sit around and rest."

Angels manager Mike Scioscia tried to ease the load on some of his key players by rotating them into the DH slot. Vladimir Guerrero was the DH in Tuesday's opener and catcher Bengie Molina had the DH duties Wednesday, with brother Jose Molina going behind the plate.

"I think there's a lot of guys on our team ready for a half-night off," Scioscia said. "The grind has been incredible.

"Some guys are playing a little bit banged up, and if we can take the opportunity to give them a half-day off, where Bengie Molina doesn't have to go through the rigors of catcher and Guerrero's ... not going to have to go out and shag flies in rightfield, especially considering our schedule for the last 72 hours, we want to take advantage of that."

POLITICALLY CORRECT: Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is something of a national hero in his native Venezuela, which led to a recent call from president Hugo Chavez.

Asked about his relationship with the controversial Chavez, Guillen said, "To me, it's an honor. I don't care how many people like him or not. I like the man. I don't like his ideas. ... I say I like the man because I think he works hard for the country, and I feel proud to represent my country."

DON'T GO CHANGING: The Sox did several things out of character in Tuesday's opener, including No. 3 hitter Jermaine Dye trying to bunt and catcher A.J. Pierzynski trying to steal a base.

"(Dye) tried to change something that we did all season," Guillen said. "And he talked to me about doing it again, and I see where he comes from, why he wanted to do it. But like I said, he failed and it looked good, but that's my third hitter. We've got to play our game."

MISCELLANY: The Sox will have a mid afternoon workout at Angel Stadium. ... Angels GM Bill Stoneman said they had not heard yet about the severity of Bartolo Colon's shoulder injury. ... Mark Buehrle and Jarrod Washburn were the first left-handers to square off in LCS play since 2002, when Washburn faced Minnesota's Eric Milton.

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:12:06]