ANAHEIM -- For the third time this week, David Fletcher earned a start against a right-handed pitcher, signaling that the rookie infielder has begun to entrench himself as an everyday player for the Angels at the expense of the slumping Luis Valbuena.
When he was first called up on June 13, the right-handed-hitting Fletcher drew the majority of his starts against lefties, but he's won more playing time after batting .302 with a .745 OPS over 35 games and suppling steady defense around the infield. He was back in the leadoff spot on Saturday, starting at third base over Valbuena against Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez.