Murphy, Willits separated at birth

Tommy Murphy and Reggie Willits say they have mistaken for each other a number of times during their time in the Angels organization, but the latest case of mistaken identity was a classic. Murphy said he was walking off the field after batting practice this past weekend when he was grabbed by a television type and told he would be needed for an interview immediately.

Murphy said he asked if they had the right guy and was told that yes, he was the player they needed. The interview proceeded and Murphy said he answered some very general questions about his play of late. After the interview, Murphy asked Willits if he was supposed to be doing a television interview any time soon. Willits said that in fact he was heading out at that moment to do a TV spot. “Don’t bother,” Murphy said. “I did it for you.”

Somebody from the Angels’ public relations department eventually informed the TV crew that it had talked to the wrong guy. The interview never aired, which is probably good for the interviewer, but it would have made for some awfully entertaining viewing.

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Kendrick proves he's ready

Howie Kendrick should be back in an Angels uniform at some point during the Angels series here in Detroit and it is likely he could be in uniform today. Kendrick has done everything he can to show he has healed from a broken left hand. His latest evidence came Monday night with a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to rally Triple-A Salt Lake to a 5-3 victory over Sacramento. Kendrick added a sacrifice fly and a walk in his four plate appearances Monday. Word on any roster change should come shortly.

UPDATE: Kendrick played at Salt Lake on Tuesday, but could be set to rejoin the Angels on Wednesday.

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Changes helping Napoli

The quieter Mike Napoli gets at the plate, the more he starts to make noise.
A new approach has Napoli looking more comfortable at last, and the results are slowly starting to come. Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher instituted the changes last week on the last homestand.
While the changes seem subtle, to Napoli it represented a drastic overhaul. Instead of cocking his hands as a timing device to start his swing, he now holds his hands still and back toward his right shoulder.
For a new timing device, Napoli stands in the batter’s box with his left heel off the ground. When the pitcher begins his delivery, Napoli then adjusts his feet.
I had so much movement with my hands and I always had them cocked a certain way, Napoli said. It was so easy for me to do something wrong that way. Now I’m just simplifying it. With my hands, I’m doing little movement and then I get my foot down. I’m seeing the ball and hitting the ball.
Napoli is on a season-high seven-game hit streak after a ninth-inning double.

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Angels getting crisp and clear

Fox Sports Net West will provide its first of 50 broadcasts in high definition Wednesday when the Angels play at Seattle. Thursday’s game also will be available in high definition.

Six cable providers will carry the game in high definition: Bright House, Champion Broadband, Charter, Cox, Time Warner and Wave Broadband. Two satellite providers also will care the game in HD: DirecTV and Echo Star. Fiber provider Verizon FiOS also will carry it.

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