Peter Bourjos (2007) faces father's team in Majors debut

By Jeff Seidel / Special to MLB.com

BALTIMORE -- There's a bit of an ironic twist to outfielder Peter Bourjos' making his first Major League appearance in Baltimore this week. After all, it's got to be difficult to play against the team that employs your father.

Bourjos took over as the Angels' center fielder before Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Orioles, with Torii Hunter shifting to right. Bobby Abreu went to left as the speedy and rangy Bourjos moved into center in his debut against the team his father scouts with.

Chris Bourjos is a long-time scout, who began working with the Orioles this season. He spent nearly 20 years with the Blue Jays before moving to the Brewers and then joining the Orioles this year. He's based in Arizona.

"When I told him I got called up and we're playing the Orioles, he said, 'Well, that's unbelievable," said Bourjos. "It was odd because I think growing up [I always thought] about playing against a team my dad was looking for -- and it happens right off the bat."

Bourjos went 0-for-4 and made a couple of nice catches in center field. His father came to Baltimore for the game and when asked who the elder Bourjos rooted for, Peter just laughed.

"It's good that he can be here for that -- and my mom, too," Bourjos said.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia made it clear before Tuesday night's game and again before Wednesday's contest that Bourjos is going to be the regular center fielder, which pushes Hunter to right.

Hunter has played 1,502 games in center field and only 27 in left or right field, but said he wasn't worried about the move.