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ANGELS : Finley Regains His Touch in a 6-2 Victory

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Angel left-hander Chuck Finley had moments of serious doubt after he gave up 12 runs in his first two spring starts.

“When you expect so much out of yourself, and fresh in your memory are good times, it’s strange,” he said. “Every time I pitch, I picture the ball going somewhere I want it to go. It didn’t, and I was wondering why.

“You wouldn’t think mechanically you could get out of whack in four months’ time, but I did. I’ve just got to keep plugging away at it. Once the bell rings and the season starts, everything from spring doesn’t matter anymore.”

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A three-run rally in the fifth inning made Finley the winner in the Angels’ 6-2 victory over Cleveland on Saturday at Hi Corbett Field. The result meant less to him than regaining his form.

Finley found the rhythm that eluded him in appearances against the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics. In becoming the first Angel starter to go four innings, Finley gave up two runs to the Indians--including Sandy Alomar’s home run--but felt confident he is back on the track that brought him 18 victories last season.

“I made some good pitches, and two pitches I made that were bad . . . they did what they were supposed to with ‘em,” Finley said, referring to Alomar’s homer and a run-scoring single by Brook Jacoby in the fourth inning. “I had a little better rhythm. I had been rushing and flying open (with his right shoulder).

“It’s easy for me to get mechanically out of whack. I’ve got to get my innings in so I can get mechanically into a groove. A lot of guys don’t need much time to get their mechanics right during spring training, but I’ve got to work on my arm strength and my mechanics.”

Finley’s outing was nearer to Manager Doug Rader’s ideal than were Finley’s two six-run debacles.

“He looked much more comfortable. I thought he threw the ball much better and made some good pitches,” Rader said.

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Dave Parker’s Angel debut was inadvertently postponed until today, when he will play first base against the Cubs at HoHoKam Park in Mesa.

Because weather forecasts predicted rain, Rader told Parker to take batting practice at the Angels’ Mesa training site instead of making the trip to Tucson. The day turned out breezy but pleasant, with temperatures in the 50s.

Parker, who was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, is scheduled to play in Monday’s B game against the Padres before the Angels face the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale.

Second baseman Luis Sojo had four hits and two runs batted in and helped turn two double plays as the Angels won for the third time in four games.

Sojo and shortstop Dick Schofield combined on their first short-to-second-to-first double play of the spring in the first inning, with Sojo making a fine throw to first to get Ron Kittle.

Gary DiSarcina combined with Sojo in the eighth inning to turn Jerry Browne’s grounder into an inning-ending double play, with Alomar coming in from third.

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“Luis turns a relatively difficult double play and saves a run,” Rader said. “He’s good at it.”

Angel Notes

Third baseman Gary Gaetti made two errors, one fielding and one throwing, calling his day “just brutal.” . . . Rick Schu was scratched as the designated hitter after bruising his right shoulder on a pickoff play in the B game. The injury isn’t considered serious. . . . Scott Bailes pitched two scoreless innings and has yet to yield a run in six innings. . . . Tickets for Angel home games will be sold beginning Monday at Gate 1 of Anaheim Stadium and through Ticketron and Teletron outlets. . . . Mike Fetters retired all six batters he faced in the B game, his first game since he pulled his right hamstring 10 days ago. Fetters and Tim Burcham held the Indians hitless for five innings. Ed Vosberg gave up two runs and Rafael Montalvo gave up four in two innings as Cleveland rallied for a 6-3 victory. Lee Stevens had two hits and two RBIs for the Angels.

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