BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Copy Phillips’ Results, Not His Swing

Third baseman Tony Phillips has some advice for parents of Little Leaguers: “Don’t let your kids watch me hit, because I do a lot of things wrong.”

Out of an exaggerated crouch, Phillips lifts his front leg as the pitcher is about to release the ball, and he has a giant hitch, his hands and bat swaying back and forth before his swing.

Not exactly instructional videotape material, but when he’s in rhythm the style has served the leadoff hitter well. It’s when Phillips slips out of sync, as he has been for much of the past three weeks, that he runs into trouble.

“Once I get out of whack it takes a while to get back in because there’s so much movement in my swing,” Phillips said.

Phillips went seven for 44 (.159) from Aug. 23 to Sept. 6. He has recovered on this home stand, going six for 20 (.300) with three homers before Friday night’s game against the Royals. But he hasn’t declared his slump over.

“It seems like every hit I get is a homer, and I don’t like that,” he said. “That’s not good for me. Until I get back to going to the opposite field, I’m not going to be hitting consistently. That’s the way I’ve always been.”

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Chili Davis, who strained his right hamstring Tuesday night, felt good during batting practice Friday and was available to pinch-hit Friday night. The designated hitter will probably return to the lineup tonight, but don’t expect him to beat out any infield hits or stretch singles into doubles.

“I can’t bust it down the line anymore,” Davis said. “Make sure you write that so they don’t boo me when it seems like I’m dogging it.”

Damion Easley, who sprained his left knee Monday night, is still day to day, but Manager Marcel Lachemann said he could return tonight.