BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Tears in Rain for Angels’ Dream Inning

Considering the Angels had an abundance of free time Tuesday night after their game was rained out in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians, what were they planning to do?

“I’m just going to go home and cry,” Angel left fielder Dwight Smith said.

Said first baseman Eduardo Perez: “And I’m going to join him.”

Perez hit a two-run homer in the first inning off rookie Julian Tavarez, and Smith had a two-run triple . . . all to be washed away.

“If I struck out, it would have been clear as day,” Smith said. “I’m telling you, this game will get you one way or the other.”

Perez, who had not homered since April 21, said he took advice from teammate Gary DiSarcina and began praying.

“But Tavarez beat me to it,” Perez said.

After a 35-minute delay, the Angels (23-29), who had lost three consecutive games, jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. But after Angel starter Joe Magrane had two outs with runners on first and second in the bottom of the inning, the rain returned.

“I knew it was too good to be true to have a four-spot in the first inning,” said Magrane, who will have to wait until at least Sunday to pitch again. “Those are the type of games you dream about.”

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There has been no date set for the makeup game, but because Cleveland already has four doubleheaders the second half of the season, Manager Mike Hargrove suggested Aug. 15. That would ruin the Angels’ off-day between Detroit and Milwaukee. It’s more likely that the game will be rescheduled for Sept. 2.