DETROIT -- You remember Gary Matthews Jr. Switch-hitter. Pretty good center fielder. Used to play for the Angels.
OK, that last part is an exaggeration, but not much of one. Matthews has virtually disappeared in the second half, his playing time drastically curtailed by a knee injury, a bruised batting average and the summer emergence of Juan Rivera.
But there was Matthews in Comerica Park on Thursday afternoon, doubling to left field to open the game and scoring the Angels' first run. Then he singled and scored in the third inning, doubled in the fourth and reached on an infield single in the seventh.
The Angels had 14 hits to back the splendid pitching of Ervin Santana in a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers, reducing their magic number to clinch the American League West title to six, and four of them belonged to Matthews, who might not be done, after all.
"I've said it before, this is not the time to talk about my displeasure about playing time," said Matthews, who, in the second year of a five-year, $50-million contract, is hitting a disappointing .236 with seven home runs and 38 runs batted in.
"We have a really good thing going here. This is the best team I've played on, the best opportunity I've had to play in the postseason, and I don't want to do anything to take away from that."
A few weeks ago, there was speculation Matthews might be left off the playoff roster. Managers construct their October benches a little different, often choosing players who give them a better chance to win one game over those who would be more effective every-day players.
Reggie Willits is a better pinch-runner than Matthews, and Kendry Morales is probably a better pinch-hitter. Assuming Manager Mike Scioscia carries 10 pitchers and 15 position players, that final spot could come down to Matthews and Robb Quinlan.
A performance like Thursday's, an indication Matthews might be warming to his reserve role, will work in the outfielder's favor.
"I'll never be happy with this role, we know that," Matthews said. "Just because I'm not in the lineup doesn't mean I'm not going to prepare to play every day. It's not a role that will ever suit me, but I'll be OK with it."
The makeup of his bench is one of three tough decisions Scioscia will face entering the playoffs. The others: Who will be his four starting pitchers -- and which starter will go to the bullpen -- and in what order will those pitchers be aligned?
