BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Salmon Keeps Up Torrid Pace in Arlington

The Angels caught a flight to Seattle following Sunday’s 5-0 victory over the Texas Rangers, but right fielder Tim Salmon probably hated to leave The Ballpark at Arlington.

With three singles and two runs batted in Sunday, Salmon improved his 1995 average in Arlington to .682 (15 for 22) with three home runs, eight RBIs and nine runs scored.

“It’s luck,” Salmon said. “Two broken-bat singles and a jam shot? That’s definitely luck, but you have to have luck to win.”

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Jim Abbott went the distance on a three-hitter for his sixth career shutout and his first since Sept. 4, 1993, when the left-hander threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians as a member of the New York Yankees.

Abbott (11-8) also embellished his reputation as the road warrior of the Angel pitching staff. Since the July 27 trade, Abbott is 5-1 with a 1.51 earned run average on the road, but 0-3 with a 6.96 ERA at home.

His last scheduled start is Friday at home against Oakland.

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Left-hander Mark Langston, suffering from tendinitis in his biceps, said his arm felt much better, but Manager Marcel Lachemann is still considering moving his next start back a day.

Shawn Boskie will face Seattle’s Andy Benes Tuesday, and Langston is scheduled to oppose Tim Belcher Wednesday, but Lachemann may replace Langston with Chuck Finley for Wednesday’s game.

The good news for the Angels is they won’t have to face left-hander Randy Johnson, who is 16-2 and leads the major leagues with 275 strikeouts.