BASEBALL MISCELLANY : NAMES AND NUMBERS

The Angels: They are 34-19 since June 16, when they were 16 1/2 games behind the Oakland Athletics in the American League West. What did that .642 pace gain them? They are still 16 1/2 games behind the Athletics.

Mike Boddicker: The Boston Red Sox hope that the former Baltimore Oriole strengthens their rotation down the stretch, but Boddicker was 6-22 after Aug. 1 of the last three years.

The Red Sox: Having re-entered the race with their remarkable success at home, the Red Sox scored only 24 runs and went 2-7 on a trip to Detroit and Milwaukee before embarking on another 12-game home stand with the current weekend series against the Tigers. Said catcher Rick Cerone: “It doesn’t matter if we go undefeated at home the rest of the way. We’re not going to win it if we don’t win on the road.”

New York Mets: Still searching for that killer instinct, the Mets were 38-37 through Saturdayafter opening the season 30-11. Said Wally Backman: “We just can’t put the hammer down.”

Roger Clemens: Concerned about the number of pitches he has thrown while again leading the American League in strikeouts, the Red Sox ace may consider leaving games if the total surpasses 110. “I’ve got to be very careful,” he said. “I’ve got only one gear--hard.”

Chris Bosio: The Milwaukee Brewers’ right-hander, 6-3 with a 1.97 earned-run average and league-leading 6 complete games on May 16, was sent to Denver on Thursday after going 0-10 in his next 15 appearances.

Hot Corner: Chicago White Sox third basemen had made 40 errors through Saturday, including 14 by Ken Williams, 2 by Donnie Hill and 24 by Steve Lyons, who said: “I’ve been brutal. I’ve stunk. When I pick up the ball, the first baseman looks like he’s 10 miles away.”