Scioscia Lobbies for Molina

While Darin Erstad’s extended absence will prevent the Angel center fielder from winning a second consecutive Gold Glove award, Manager Mike Scioscia said catcher Bengie Molina deserves to receive the premier fielding award again despite sitting out the final 25 games because of a wrist injury.

“He’s in my mind the best catcher in our league,” Scioscia said, “and I hope that will be reflected in the way other people look at him, because he did virtually play a full season.”

Molina played in 119 games -- three fewer than last season, when he won his first Gold Glove -- and leads American League catchers by throwing out 41% of would-be base stealers. He ranks second in the league with five errors, behind Kansas City’s Brent Mayne (four) among catchers who have played at least 100 games.

“He was throwing people out, blocking balls, doing pretty much the same that he did last year,” Jose Molina said of his brother. “He won [the award] last year, so he should win it this year too.”

The Angels’ other leading Gold Glove candidates are second baseman Adam Kennedy and left fielder Garret Anderson. Kennedy has six errors, second to Seattle’s Bret Boone (five), and Anderson has one, which came on Sept. 5.

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The Angels lost their best scoring opportunity against Oakland starter Barry Zito on Wednesday when Alfredo Amezaga was called out for interference in the sixth inning after colliding with infielder Mark Ellis.

Amezaga, whose one-out single had put runners at first and second, slammed into Ellis on the infield dirt while the second baseman fielded a grounder by David Eckstein.

“The fielder has the right of way to field the ball,” said Scioscia, who raced out of the dugout in protest. “Once he gets it into his glove, though, all bets are off, and I felt the ball was in Ellis’ glove before Alfredo made contact.”

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Scioscia credited Angel fans, who Wednesday set a franchise record for season attendance, for their loyalty in sticking with a team that has long been out of playoff contention. “These fans have not wavered a bit and they’ve been out here every day supporting us,” he said.... Oakland Manager Ken Macha said he expects closer Keith Foulke, who leads the American League with 43 saves, to be 100% Friday when the Athletics open a three-game home series against Seattle.