BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Jim Who? Snow Off to a Quick Start

It’s a little early for the Angels to feel smug about their trade, but considering the way first baseman J.T. Snow has opened the season, few people mention Jim Abbott’s name these days in the clubhouse.

Despite going hitless in four at-bats Sunday in the Angels’ 4-3 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles, Snow is hitting .343.

“I can’t explain it,” Snow said, “because I don’t think I’ve ever had a start like this in my life. But up here, they make things a little easier. You have better lighting at the ballparks, better background, scouting reports, everything. I know the pitchers are better, but so are the conditions.

“I’ve been taking the advice of Chili (Davis) and Gonzo (Rene Gonzales). They told me, ‘You’re a rookie, so pitchers are going to challenge you. They’re going to try to throw the fastball by you.’

“So I’ve been looking for the fastball, and it’s paid off. I know pitchers will start to make adjustments on me after they see me, but so far, things couldn’t be much better.”

According to Manager Buck Rodgers, the key to Snow’s success will be his ability to overcome mental anguish during slumps and bad times.

“But from what I know about J.T.,” Rodgers said, “he’s going to be strong enough to handle those peaks and valleys.”

Angel starter Mark Langston, who had not pitched in a game for a week since being injured with a strained rib-cage muscle, said he felt no pain during his 113-pitch performance.

“I felt a little erratic, and my control was not sharp,” Langston said, “but I haven’t been out there for a while. I feel good about the fact that I didn’t have any soreness or anything.”

Although it would have been a spectacular catch, Angel right fielder Tim Salmon was critical of himself for not catching Brady Anderson’s fly ball against the wall in the eighth inning.

“Initially, I thought I had no chance at it,” he said. “But when I jumped up in the air, I thought I had it. It hit off the tip of my glove.

“When you get your glove on it, you should be able to catch it.”