He Doesn’t Like Looking Over Shoulder

Right fielder Tim Salmon didn’t seem overjoyed when the Angels surged ahead of Seattle and into first place in the American League West Friday night.

“It’s nice to be in first, but maybe I’m different,” Salmon said. “I almost like being the team on the other guy’s tail.”

The Angels were so far ahead of Texas and Seattle in 1995, they could barely see the Rangers and Mariners in their rear-view mirror. They had an 11-game lead Aug. 3, then suffered one of baseball’s worst collapses before losing to Seattle in a one-game playoff for the division title.

“My whole point is I know what it’s like to be way ahead and looking over your shoulder, which is what we did in 1995,” Salmon said. “It’s no big deal right now whether we’re in first or a half-game out. As long as we’re there, hanging around and within striking distance, we’ll be fine.”

Salmon helped keep the Angels a half-game ahead of Seattle Sunday with his 20th home run of the season, a bases-empty blast to right field in the sixth inning that came on a belt-high, James Baldwin fastball that came on a 0-2 pitch.

“I don’t think that’s where he wanted to put an 0-2 pitch,” said Salmon, who ranks fourth in the league with 90 RBIs, “but that’s what you need, the breaks. I’ve had plenty of those opportunities slip away.”

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The Angel collapse of ’95 began two years ago Sunday, when shortstop Gary DiSarcina tore a ligament in his thumb and was sidelined for more than a month.

DiSarcina suffered no such injuries Sunday and believes the Angels, who finished last in the division in 1996 after the stunning rise and fall of ‘95, are better equipped to remain in the race this August and September.

“We were young in ‘95, most of the guys had only one or two years’ experience, and I think we all thought we were going to be in a pennant race every year,” DiSarcina said. “But ’96 was a slap in the face. We realize pennant races only come around once in awhile.

“This team has a more business-like approach. We don’t get too high or too down. We learned a lot in ‘95, and I think we’re a battle-tested team.”

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Angel catcher Todd Greene joined an elite list Saturday night when he hit a ball out of Anaheim Stadium. There was one hitch--the prodigious blast was foul by about 150 feet.

Still, players were amazed when Greene ripped an inside fastball over the roof of the upper deck above third base. Only two others, Dick Allen and Frank Howard, are believed to have hit foul balls out of Anaheim Stadium.

“He’s a legend already,” DiSarcina said.

Greene said he was guessing inside fastball and simply turned too quickly on the pitch. “I knew I hit it good, but that was funky for me because I’ve never done that before,” he said. “After the game, people were ragging me about it.”

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ON DECK

* Opponent--Milwaukee Brewers, three games.

* Site--Anaheim Stadium.

* Tonight--7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West tonight and Tuesday night.

* Radio--KTZN (710).

* Records--Angels 63-48, Brewers 54-54.

* Record vs. Brewers--3-3.

ANGELS’ KEN HILL (6-8, 5.06 ERA) vs. BREWERS’ SCOTT KARL (6-10, 4.65 ERA)

* Update--The Brewers enjoyed one of the most remarkable 30-hour periods in franchise history last week, sweeping doubleheaders from Toronto last Monday and Tuesday--and turning a triple play in one of the games--to gain 3 1/2 games on first-place Cleveland in the AL Central. Despite losing its top two starters, Ben McDonald and Jeff D’Amico, to injuries, Milwaukee has won nine of 11 games and all of a sudden is in the thick of the division race. “Can you imagine this?” Brewer Manager Phil Garner said. “Geez, what a turn of events.” Angel center fielder Jim Edmonds, who missed his third consecutive game Sunday because of a lower back strain, may undergo a magnetic resonance imaging test today, and there’s a chance he may go on the disabled list.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Jason Dickson (10-4, 3.69) vs. Bryce Florie (2-2, 3.88).

* Wednesday, 1 p.m.--Allen Watson (9-6, 4.63) vs. Cal Eldred (11-10, 4.86).