ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Elvis Andrus showed up to Angel Stadium on Monday and couldn't wait to play. Manager Ron Wsahington had given Andrus the weekend off after the Texas Rangers clinched the AL West late Friday night.
"I really needed those two days mentally," Andrus said. "I needed a chance to rest and not think too much. Physically, it helped too. I got things in order and I'm ready to go."
Andrus sure looked like it. He was 4-for-5, tying his career high (seven times now) for hits in a game. He had a double and three singles.
"Don't I know Elvis Andrus?" Washington said when asked about Andrus' solid game after the time off. "I know when Elvis needs a rest. He was looking tired and I felt he needed some time. He played well."
Andrus said his mind and body are prepared for the playoffs.
"I'm focused these last three games on doing the little things," Andrus said. "I want to move runners over, focus on situational hitting, taking counts deep and making the right plays. That way I'm ready to do it in the playoffs."
Andrus said the entire team is hungry to get back to the World Series and win it.
"Everyone wants that after coming so close [last year]," Andrus said. "We're better at this point than we were last season. Everybody is healthy and I think the experience of doing it last year helps. We didn't know what it was like because it was our first time. Now we know."
Andrus is now hitting .282 with five homers and 60 RBIs this season. He had a memorable playoff run last year, hitting .294 playing in all 16 playoff games. He was the team's postseason leader in at-bats (68), hits (20) and steals (8). He hopes to repeat that performance in 2011.
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