video thumbnail

CLE@LAA: Chatwood hurls eight frames of one-run ball

Tyler Chatwood is coming off the worst start of his short career. On Sunday, the Angels starter will have no choice but to put that outing behind him as he faces one of the best lineups the National League has to offer.

Chatwood (2-2 4.50 ERA) looks to rebound against Derek Lowe (3-3, 3.43) and the Braves in the Interleague series finale from Angel Stadium.

In his outing on Tuesday against Oakland, Chatwood lasted only 2 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on seven hits in a 14-0 loss. For his part, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said that outing was simple growing pains for the rookie.

"Any player coming up is going to have to adjust," said Scioscia, who will not manage Sunday as he attends his son Matthew's graduation from Notre Dame. "Tyler isn't the finished product, but he is ready for a challenge. He is making a quick study, but he has had a few tough games in between some really strong pitching performances. He'll keep growing."

Chatwood said that's exactly how he's taking his last outing, adding that he's looking forward to forgetting it and going ahead.

"You can't really get down in the dumps on one start," Chatwood said. "You are going to have good starts and bad starts. You can't get too high or too low. You just have to keep going out there, compete and work hard. I just have to pitch to my strengths."

Lowe is coming off seven innings of one-run ball in his last outing against Houston. Lowe, who spent the first part of his career in the American League, is 6-7 with a 3.18 ERA in 29 games (13 starts) against the Angels.

Angels outfielder Torii Hunter is 6-for-22 (.273) with two homers off the right-hander, while former Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu has a .357 mark (5-for-14) against him.

Braves: Heyward doesn't start again
Jason Heyward, who was scratched prior to Friday's game with stiffness in his right shoulder, also missed Saturday's action, aside from a 12th-inning appearance in right field as a defensive replacement.

"It's just one of those things," said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. "He said he aggravated it during BP yesterday. So we'll see what the doctor says is the best course to take."

� Right-hander Peter Moylan successfully underwent surgery to repair a bulging disc in his back earlier this week. The surgery was performed by Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles, and Moylan is scheduled to fly back to Atlanta on Sunday.

Angels: Wells about three weeks away
Vernon Wells (strained right groin) said Saturday he is about two to three weeks away from returning.

"I'd like to be back out there tomorrow," Wells said. "I'm hoping though, within the next two to three weeks, to be back on the field. They are telling me closer to three weeks."

Wells took part in movement drills in water Saturday and continues to do core strengthening drills, but he still is not running.

� Left-hander Scott Kazmir (lower back soreness) threw a bullpen session Saturday in Arizona and should begin a rehab assignment Tuesday in Triple-A Salt Lake.

Worth noting
� Hall of Famer Don Sutton -- who also is a Braves radio broadcaster -- will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Sunday. Sutton won his 300th game with the Angels, who he played for from 1985-87.

� The Braves are 4-4 all-time against the Angels, including 3-2 in Anaheim.