ANGELS : Canseco Doesn’t Miss, and A’s Rout Finley

In the scene portrayed on the cover of the Angels’ 1991 media guide, Chuck Finley has just hurled the ball toward home plate, where Oakland slugger Jose Canseco is in the follow-through of a mighty and futile swing.

Finley could only wish that life imitated art. Their real confrontation Tuesday resulted in a three-run home run by Canseco, half of the runs charged to Finley in his three-inning stint.

“Chuck is still struggling,” Angel Manager Doug Rader said of his top winner last season, “but if that’s our biggest worry, we’re in good shape.”

Neither Rader nor Finley fretted over the left-hander’s performance in the Angels’ 8-5 loss at Municipal Stadium. In a sense, Finley made progress: He lowered his spring earned-run average from 27.00 to 21.60 and held Oakland scoreless in the third inning, the first inning in five this spring he hasn’t given up a run.

The Padres got three in both innings he pitched last Friday, and the A’s scored two in the first Tuesday on a triple by Terry Steinbach.

“No, why should I be worried about it?” Finley said. “I felt fine. My mechanics are screwed up, that’s all.”

Finley threw 53 pitches in two innings, making his return for the third doubtful. But back he came, giving up an infield hit and escaping unscathed.

“I told them I started the mess and I should finish it up,” he said.

Lance Parrish hit his first spring home run and Dave Gallagher and Dante Bichette each got their first hits for the Angels, who are 1-4. Chris Beasley and Scott Bailes each pitched two scoreless innings.

Angel Notes

An arthrogram on reliever Bob McClure’s left shoulder showed no significant abnormalities to explain the discomfort he had in the back of his pitching shoulder. McClure was examined at Centinela Hopsital in Inglewood Monday by Dr. Lewis Yocum, who gave him an anti-inflammatory injection. McClure rejoined the club and might start throwing on the side Friday. . . . Right-hander Mike Fetters, unable to pitch because of pulled right hamstring, threw off the mound for 12 minutes Tuesday. . . . A’s outfielder Rickey Henderson, who is demanding the A’s renegotiate his four-year, $12-million contract, was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup. . . . In Tuesday’s B game at Gene Autry Park in Mesa, Jack Howell went two for four with a run batted in as the Angels lost to the San Diego Padres, 4-3. Howell played left field--he has caught in addition to playing second and third this spring--but probably will reduce his schedule because of tightness in his hamstrings.