Finley’s a Yankee Doodle Dandy

If the Angels could have Chuck Finley pitch against the New York Yankees every game, perhaps then they wouldn’t be mired in last place in the American League West.

Finley threw 7 1/3 shutout innings to defeat the Yankees for the fourth time in as many starts this year. In 31 1/3 innings this season, he gave up two earned runs for an 0.57 earned-run average. He also had 32 strikeouts.

“I used to have that thing going against Seattle for a couple of years,” Finley said. “I’d get up in a tree and pitch.”

Beg pardon?

“You know, pitch over your head,” Finley said. “It seems like there’s always one team you like to pitch against.

“It’s a weird game, though. Very weird.”

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Jim Abbott made his last start for triple-A Vancouver Sunday and is expected to join the Angels this week. Catcher Chris Turner joined the club from triple-A Vancouver and Mark Eichhorn and Mark Holzemer were activated from the disabled list Sunday.

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Turner’s first appearance will enable the Angels to tie the club record of 48 players used in a season, set in 1975. The Angels already have tied the major league record by using 27 pitchers this season. . . . Charlie Hayes started in place of Wade Boggs at third base for the Yankees for the second consecutive game. Boggs has been suffering from back spasms. . . . David Cone, who hasn’t started since May 2, will start for the Yankees tonight against the Oakland Athletics. Cone had been sidelined since undergoing surgery to remove a small aneurysm in the upper part of his right arm May 10. . . . The Yankees activated outfielder Mike Aldrete, a former Angel, from the disabled list. . . . Headline on the back page of the New York Daily News on Sunday: THE USUAL SUSPECT. Inside was a column placing some of the blame for the Yankees’ August slide on owner George Steinbrenner’s interference.