BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Strike Worries No Excuse for Play

The Angels, who have been wondering if their misery could get any worse, discovered Thursday that their nightmare may have just begun.

After being swept in three games by Seattle, the Angels are 44-65.

“If we keep going like this,” Gary DiSarcina said, “we’re going to lose 100 games. It’s embarrassing.

“That was a road-weary team, and they took it to us. Every time we made a mistake, they made us pay. They attacked us all series, and you’d think it would be the other way around with the conditions they’re under.”

Could the Angels have lost their focus, considering the upcoming strike and the fact that they’re out of the race?

“That’s no excuse,” he said, “If guys want to walk out in a bad year, they should quit. Quit on the team. Quit on yourself. But don’t use the strike as an excuse to give up on the season.”

*

Angel reliever Joe Grahe, who has wanted to return to the starting rotation, might receive his wish before the season’s conclusion, Manager Marcel Lachemann said. In fact, if Phil Leftwich (sore shoulder) had been unable to pitch on the side Thursday in preparation for his Sunday start, Grahe would have replaced him.

“Deep down, it’s something I’ve always wanted to try again,” Grahe said. “If it didn’t work out, I could put it to rest, but I would like to try it.”

*

Montreal public relations director Richard Griffin’s advice for Seattle on their 32-day, 30-game trip:

1. “Don’t pack any linen suits, they wrinkle up as soon as you close your suitcase.”

2. “Buy a stopwatch, and with good timing, you can see an entire Spectravision movie in a five-minute preview option.”

3. “When calling home, always sound depressed.”

4. “And remember, 56 bars of neutrogenia soap are not an acceptable gift for your wife when you get home.”

*

Mariner reliever Goose Gossage pitched in his 1,000th career game Thursday, joining Hoyt Wilhlem and Kent Tekulve as the only pitchers to accomplish the feat.

“I played with him when he was the dominant closer of his time,” Mariner Manager Lou Piniella said, “He and Rollie Fingers opened the door for relievers to make it to Cooperstown.”