ANGELS : Grief-Stricken Flora Unable to Play

Second baseman Kevin Flora, still struggling emotionally with the death of his wife, has been unable to play the last four games with triple-A Vancouver.

Flora, whose wife, MaryAnn, was killed April 22, 1993 in a car accident, missed most of last season while trying to recover from the trauma. He rejoined the Angels this spring, and only once did he struggle, asking to be removed from the starting lineup the first game of spring training.

Now, after playing the first three games this season at Vancouver, Flora again is having difficulties. The Angels have offered assistance and told him that they will support him if he desires a leave of absence.

“The concern remains with Kevin Flora,” said Tim Mead, Angel assistant general manager. “The club continues to have confidence in him, and at the same time, remains here to help him in any manner appropriate.

“If the time comes that he can’t handle things on his own, we’ll be there to help, just like we are now.”

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Blue Jay designated hitter Paul Molitor has been involved in some zany games in his career, but the Angels’ 14-13 victory Friday--overcoming a 13-6 ninth-inning deficit--might have been the topper.

“In my 16 years,” Molitor said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. It was kind of a helpless feeling sitting here and watching it. I guess now I know what the Phillies felt like in last year’s World Series.”

The Blue Jays were trailing the Phillies, 14-9, the eighth inning of Game 4 of last year’s World Series, before winning, 15-14.

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The comeback equaled the greatest in Angel history, but center fielder Chad Curtis doubts any will top the game he played for Cochise Community College against Douglas in 1988.

“We were down by 16 in the seventh inning,” Curtis said, “and won, 17-16. But if you ask me, (Friday’s game) was still more dramatic.”

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Angel left fielder Dwight Smith has been officially welcomed to Southern California. He had the wheels stolen on his truck one night, and Friday night, someone tried to break into his sports car.

Teammate Bo Jackson presented Smith with “The Club” before Saturday’s game.

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Joe Magrane, who pitched 4 2/3 innings Friday night in his first rehabilitation assignment at Class-A Lake Elsinore, reported no pain or discomfort. Really, he had only one complaint.

“I had to catch the (Angels’ comeback) on the radio,” Magrane said, “and believe me, I wish I was there. The radio doesn’t do it justice.

“But my elbow feels good. It’s almost like I wonder if something is wrong, it feels too good. They must have cleaned a lot of garbage in there.”