Rain Puts Damper on Angel Performances : Baseball: Team gets a four-run lead in the first inning before game is postponed after a lengthy delay.

So, 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 the fellas 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 out.

“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 Gary DiSarcina’s advice and began praying.

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

The Angels (23-29), who have lost three consecutive games, jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. But after Angel starter Joe Magrane had two outs with runners on first and second, the rain came. The game started 35 minutes late, and the teams played only 23 minutes.

“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.”

Although Magrane was saddened to see his lead erased by rain, it wasn’t nearly as painful as his start in 1990 when he was pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati.

“That was when the legendary Marge Schott kept us there until 11 at night with no intention of playing the game,” Magrane said. “They got three outs, and the game was over. . . . She’s had her share of unusualness.”