The Angels played the San Diego Padres on Sunday afternoon, and major league teams have reached the point of spring training where starting pitchers often hit, so Hector Santiago came to the ballpark thinking he'd get to intersperse his start with some at-bats.
"Are we raking today?" Santiago asked the Angels' coaches. "Let's go. Where's my bat?"
When he found out second baseman Johnny Giavotella would be the designated hitter, he continued the effort: "Johnny's been hitting all week. Let him have a break. Let him enjoy this Sunday.