BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Howe’s Return Puzzles Parker

Angel designated hitter Dave Parker, who admitted to using drugs while with the Pittsburgh Pirates, is surprised to see pitcher Steve Howe in the major leagues after being sanctioned six times for drug abuse. The Yankees purchased Howe’s contract from their triple-A Columbus affiliate Thursday.

“Six times, that’s a lot. If it was Dave Parker, I wouldn’t be coming back after six times,” Parker said. “I have two close friends, Eddie Milner and Leon Durham, who were two-time offenders and I think they should have gotten another opportunity. How come everybody isn’t judged so harshly?

“Myself, I did drugs. That’s pretty well-documented. I’ve been blessed with the will and common sense to put my priorities in place and walk away from it.”

Gary Gaetti had a bruise on his left leg after being hit by a pitch from Steve Olin in the ninth. “Sometimes you just have to sacrifice your body for the team,” he said, laughing. . . . Seven of the eight runners Mark Eichhorn has inherited in his last three relief appearances have scored. . . . Catcher Ron Tingley, whose contract was purchased from triple-A Edmonton, and infielder Bobby Rose, recalled from the Trappers Wednesday, got into Friday’s game in the late innings. Tingley caught the final inning and Rose ran for Gaetti and played third base in the bottom of the ninth.