ANGELS : Finley Stays on Pace for His Best Spring

Let’s see now, since the last time starter Chuck Finley pitched for the Angels. . . .

He took a two-hour bus ride to Tucson only to be sidelined because of a stiff neck, he and his girlfriend had a baby girl, Duke was eliminated from the NCAA tournament, the Angels sent 12 players to their minor league camp and released a pitcher, and third baseman Kelly Gruber was placed on the 60-day emergency disabled list.

“I was beginning to wonder who had been out longer,” Finley said, “me or Johnny Farrell.”

While the 12-day layoff might have seemed like two years to Finley, he proved to the Angels during their 5-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Monday that he is in midseason form.

During what might be the finest spring training of his career, Finley yielded only a single in four shutout innings. He hasn’t given up a run in nine innings this spring. Most impressive, opponents are batting only .129 against him.

“He did a lot of work on his delivery in the off-season,” said Angel pitching coach Chuck Hernandez, “and you can see the results. His fastball and forkball are right where he left off at the end of last year, and he’s getting his curveball over the plate a lot more now.

“I think he’s going to have a super season.”

However, despite his heroics this spring, Finley says it is foolish to think that he should be the opening-day starter. It’s an honor that belongs to Mark Langston, he said, which will be announced today.

“Shoot, you going to send a guy who was 7-12 last year out there for opening day?” Finley said. “I don’t deserve to be an opening-day pitcher, unless they go by seniority.”

Finley, who won 18 games in 1990 and again in 1991 before being hampered by a toe injury last season, said that this might be the season during which he finally becomes a 20-game winner.

“It’s still very fresh in my mind what it takes to win 18 or 19 games again,” Finley said. “You have to be mentally strong and physically strong, and I have that makeup.”

The most difficult aspect of becoming the Angels’ first 20-game winner since Nolan Ryan in 1974 might be his supporting cast. The Angels finished last in almost every offensive category last season and have the fewest hits of any American League club this spring.

“Offensively, I don’t think we could be any worse than last year,” Finley said. “But from a pitching standpoint, I know our defense will be better.

“Besides, everybody can pitch when they get eight or nine runs. If that were the case, there wouldn’t be anybody left in the minor leagues.”

*

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Angels’ opening-day roster appears to be virtually set with the exception of their pitching staff:

Catchers: John Orton, Greg Myers and Ron Tingley.

Infielders: J.T. Snow, Damion Easley, Gary DiSarcina, Rene Gonzales, Gary Gaetti and Torey Lovullo.

Outfielders: Luis Polonia, Chad Curtis, Tim Salmon, Stan Javier and Ty Van Burkleo.

Designated hitter: Chili Davis.

*

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers on fining his players in yellow golf balls this season: “I was going to fine them screwdrivers because of all the screws in my elbow, but since I’m back playing golf, I’d rather have the golf balls.”

*

Angel second baseman Easley, who has not played in a game this spring because of shin splints, is scheduled to make his debut today in a “B” game against the Colorado Rockies. “I’m comfortable I can be ready without any more problems,” said Easley, who has stopped taking medications, but will wear special inserts in his shoes this season. . . . Outfielder Jerome Walton, still in consideration for one of the final two utility spots on the team, was scratched from Monday’s game because of stomach cramps.