Vernon Wells has another forgettable game for Angels

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As if Vernon Wells wasn’t struggling enough at the plate, going hitless in four at-bats Sunday to drop his average to .100 in his first nine games with his new team, the Angels left fielder made what was almost a very costly mistake in the field in the sixth inning.

The Blue Jays had scored to pull to within 3-1 and had runners on first and second when Jered Weaver struck out No. 3 batter Jose Bautista looking for the first out. Adam Lind then lofted a routine fly ball to left field that Wells easily caught.

But Wells, thinking Lind’s ball was the third out, ducked his head and began jogging toward the dugout after making the catch. Runners John McDonald and Yunel Escobar alertly tagged up, advancing to second and third, but Aaron Hill popped out to first to end the inning, and the Angels held on for a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

Manager Mike Scioscia spoke to Wells after the game about the mental mistake and hinted that Wells, who was traded from the Blue Jays to the Angels in January, might be given a game off against the Cleveland Indians on Monday night.

‘There’s definitely a mental tightening I’m seeing with Vernon,’ Scioscia said. ‘He wants it. He wants it yesterday. His bat speed is good, but his timing is obviously off. He’s going to come out early [Monday] to work with Mickey [Hatcher, batting instructor] and we’re going to discuss a couple things with him.’

-- Mike DiGiovanna