Sele Nearly Reaches a New Inning Plateau

Aaron Sele still has not pitched more than six innings in eight starts since his five-inning limit ordered by Manager Mike Scioscia was lifted, but the veteran right-hander appeared on the verge of breaking that trend Wednesday before being removed in the sixth inning after throwing only 70 pitches.

The Angels had a one-run lead and Sele was throwing his signature curveball with more authority than he had since returning from off-season shoulder surgery, but Scioscia elected to go with reliever Ben Weber with a runner on second base and two out.

Weber could not hold the lead, giving up a run-scoring single to Torii Hunter, but later recorded the victory after benefiting from a Scott Spiezio home run that gave the Angels a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twins at Edison Field.

Sele said he felt “really good” and didn’t want to come out after giving up only four hits and two runs. He had walked one and struck out four.

“I was a little erratic at times like I’ve been all year,” said Sele, who retired 14 of the final 17 batters he faced, “but I seemed to get in a good stretch and we won, so that’s all that mattered.”

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Chone Figgins started at shortstop for a second consecutive game Thursday as the result of a mild shoulder injury suffered by Alfredo Amezaga. Amezaga landed on his shoulder Tuesday while diving in an attempt to stop a single down the third base line but stayed in the game. He said he felt well enough to play Thursday if called upon.

“It’s just a little bit sore,” Amezaga said of his shoulder. “That’s about it.”

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Having made little progress since being sidelined nearly two weeks ago because of nerve irritation in his right hamstring, shortstop David Eckstein underwent another MRI exam that confirmed the initial diagnosis. Eckstein will not make the six-game trip to Kansas City and Minnesota....Jose Molina’s fifth-inning bunt single ended an 0-for-15 skid....The Cleveland Indians have signed Angel castoff Benji Gil to a minor league contract and assigned him to their triple-A affiliate at Buffalo. The Angels released the infielder last week after he hit .192 with one home run and nine runs batted in.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Kansas City Royals, three games.

Site -- Kauffman Stadium.

TV -- Fox Sports Net tonight and Sunday, Channel 9 on Saturday.

Radio -- KSPN (710), KWKU (1220) tonight, XKAM (950) Saturday and Sunday.

Records -- Angels 64-70, Royals 70-62.

Record vs. Royals -- 2-1.

Tonight, 5 PDT -- Jarrod Washburn (9-12, 4.48) vs. Jimmy Gobble (2-2, 6.41).

Saturday, 4 p.m. -- Scot Shields (3-4, 2.67) vs. TBA.

Sunday, 11 a.m. -- John Lackey (8-13, 5.03) vs. Brian Anderson (10-10, 3.68).