ANAHEIM, Calif. » While much of the fuss was about the Los Angeles Angels’ new hitting coach, Jerome Williams continued to impress with his consistency.
Albert Pujols welcomed Jim Eppard to town with a go-ahead three-run homer and Vernon Wells added a two-run shot off Gavin Floyd, leading the Angels to a 7-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
Angels starter and Waipahu native Williams (4-1) won his fourth straight decision, allowing two runs and 10 hits over eight innings with five strikeouts and no walks. The right-hander became the first pitcher in franchise history to win his first seven home starts with the club.
Williams allowed a homer and a double for two runs in the third, then rebounded for the quality start. The Angels’ fifth starter dropped his ERA to 3.86 after throwing 70 of his 105 pitches for strikes.
Eppard, meanwhile, was with the Angels for the first time, a day after Mickey Hatcher was fired by new general manager Jerry DiPoto 11/2 months into his 13th season on the job. The team’s offensive struggles led to the firing, including Pujols’ slow start after signing a 10-year, $240 million contract as a free agent.
"We were not in an offensive funk because of Mickey," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Mickey’s a great teacher and a great hitting coach, and we’ve had a lot of continuity here. But we all respect what the general manager’s office is about. Jerry’s position is to try to make changes that he believes is going to help us become better, and we have to respect that."
During Hatcher’s watch, the Angels set franchise records in 2009 for average, hits, home runs, runs scored, RBIs and average with runners in scoring position — and won a World Series title in 2002. But DiPoto felt the time was appropriate to make the change.
"I’ve thought long and hard about it for quite some time, for a variety of reasons," DiPoto said. "But these are not easy decisions to make. I think the world of Mickey Hatcher. I really do. I think he’s a wonderful person and a hard worker.
"But sometimes I do believe you need a different voice, and this might be that time. I hope this is a spark. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I believe over time that it should make a difference. Jim Eppard’s been in the organization for almost 10 years and he’s had a very good history in the minor leagues."
It will be an easy transition for Eppard, who nurtured current Angels Howie Kendrick, Kendrys Morales, Mark Trumbo, Erick Aybar, Peter Bourjos and Bobby Wilson as the hitting coach at Triple-A Salt Lake.
"What’s great about it is that a lot of the guys here I’ve had come through Salt Lake, so I have a mental tape of those guys. And I’ve also had everybody else in spring training, so I’m pretty familiar with the group," Eppard said.
Floyd (3-4) surrendered seven runs and 10 hits in six innings, including both home runs.
Trailing 2-1, the Angels grabbed a 4-2 lead with one swing by Pujols, who drove an 0-1 pitch over the center field fence after Mike Trout and Albert Callaspo opened the inning with singles.
