Angels get creative with lineup choices

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When Angels’ right-hander Joel Pineiro goes for his 100th career victory Tuesday in Kansas City, he might not recognize some of the guys in the lineup with him. Or at least not where they’re positioned.

With left-hander Jeff Francis pitching for the Royals, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia elected to go with little-used Bobby Wilson -- who hasn’t batted since May 20 and has just eight at-bats since mid-April -- as his DH, marking the first time he’s started a major league game at any position but catcher. And with regular catcher Jeff Mathis also starting, Tuesday’s game marks the first time both Mathis and Wilson have been in the same starting lineup.

Alberto Callaspo and his .306 batting have been elevated to the cleanup role, one spot ahead of Mark Trumbo, who has homered in his last two games. That marks the highest Trumbo has batted in the Angels lineup. And behind him is Peter Bourjos, batting sixth for the first time as a big-leaguer.

Bobby Abreu, who had four hits Monday, is out of the lineup, replaced in left field by Reggie Willits.

The lineups L.A. Angels

SS -- Erick Aybar

2B -- Maicer Izturis

RF -- Torii Hunter

3B -- Alberto Callaspo

1B -- Mark Trumbo

CF -- Peter Bourjos

DH -- Bobby Wilson

C -- Jeff Mathis

Lf -- Reggie Willits

P -- Joel Pineiro

Kansas City Royals

LF -- Alex Gordon

CF -- Melky Cabrera

1B -- Eric Hosmer

RF -- Jeff Francoeur

DH -- Billy Butler

3B -- Wilson Betemit

C -- Brayan Pena

2B -- Chris Getz

SS -- Alcides Escobar

P -- Jeff Francis

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-- Kevin Baxter, in Kansas City