By the simplest measure, this season is already a success for Angels designated hitter Kendrys Morales: He's playing every day after missing nearly two years while recovering from a fractured ankle suffered in May 2010.
But by another measure -- the standard Morales himself set with an MVP-caliber season in 2009 -- this season is coming up short. Morales is batting .270 with eight home runs and 24 RBI.
His production has been more uneven than those totals indicate. Morales is batting just .227 (15-for-66) over his past 20 games, the latest down cycle in an up-and-down season.
Meanwhile, outfielder Mark Trumbo leads the Angels with 17 home runs and 49 RBI (including a big-league-high 30 since May 27) while batting .316. But manager Mike Scioscia insists it is not time for Trumbo to take over the cleanup spot in the batting order on a full-time basis. Scioscia still bats the switch-hitting Morales fourth behind Albert Pujols against right-handed pitching. Morales provides the only left-handed power threat in the lineup. Against left-handed pitching, Trumbo moves ahead of Morales and bats cleanup.
"For our team to get where we need to be, Kendrys has to be a part of it," Scioscia said. "Our lineup is deeper with those two guys behind Pujols in some combination. Right now, with the way Kendrys was swinging the bat from the left side early in the season, it was a real plus for us, and we need him to be that.
"I think he needs to get a little simpler from the left side. He's starting to sway a little bit and isn't driving pitches the way he can when he's locked in."
NOTES, QUOTES
Bourjos proves to be lucky charm
--OF Peter Bourjos lost his job as the Angels' everyday center fielder when Mike Trout was promoted from the minors in late April. Bourjos has started just 17 of 51 games since Trout's arrival, but the Angels are undefeated in the past 11 games in which he has played. Bourjos has hits in 10 of the past 12 games in which he had at least one at-bat.
--Bourjos had a two-run home run and a double in Sunday's win. The home run was his first over-the-fence homer since Sept. 21, 2011, against the Blue Jays. He had an inside-the-park home run at Target Field on April 11. It was also his first multi-hit game since April 12.
--1B/OF Mark Trumbo is one of only two players in the American League who rank in the top 10 for each of the Triple Crown categories (home runs, RBI, batting average). Rangers OF Josh Hamilton is the other. Through Sunday, Trumbo ranked fifth in batting average (.316), and he was tied for eighth in home runs (17) and tied for sixth in RBI (49).
--LHP C.J. Wilson will start the opener of the Angels' two-game series in Baltimore on Tuesday. Wilson is 4-0 with a 1.31 ERA (six earned runs, 41 1/3 innings) over his past six starts. Wilson is 2-3 with six saves and a 5.17 ERA in 19 career appearances (three starts) vs. the Orioles.
--3B Alberto Callaspo was on base three times in Sunday's win (two walks and a single). He is batting .285 (37-for-130) over his past 40 games, raising his average from .170 to .254 with hits in 16 of his past 26 games.
BY THE NUMBERS: 11-1 -- The Angels' record in their past 12 road games. They play 16 of their next 20 games on the road, beginning with a 10-game road trip to Baltimore, Toronto and Cleveland that starts Tuesday.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It doesn't matter who we're playing or where we're playing, but how we're playing, and right now we're playing pretty well." -- Manager Mike Scioscia.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--RHP Jerome Williams (breathing difficulties) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 19. He will throw three innings in a simulated-game situation during the Angels' two-game series in Baltimore on June 26-27.
--C Chris Iannetta (fractured right wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 9. He underwent surgery May 11. The start of a rehab assignment with Class A Inland Empire was put on hold in mid-June due to soreness in his throwing arm.
--OF Vernon Wells (torn ulnar collateral ligament in right thumb) went on the 15-day disabled list May 21, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 12. He underwent surgery May 22. Wells said he hopes to start a rehab assignment some time shortly after the All-Star break.
--OF Ryan Langerhans (separated right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 21. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Salt Lake on June 19.
--OF Jeremy Moore (left hip surgery in March 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 13.
--RHP Michael Kohn (flexor strain in right arm) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 21. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery April 12.
