Finley’s Pitching Effort Goes to Waste in 9-1 Loss

Chuck Finley won 14 consecutive games from last July 1 to April 27, a franchise record that fell three short of the American League record.

Does anyone remember?

“It does seem like it’s been a long time since I walked off the field a winner,” Finley said after the Angels’ 9-1 loss to the Twins Sunday night. “You have to be realistic and realize there’s only so much you can do.”

Finley did more than enough to win Sunday, giving up one earned run on three hits through six innings, but the Twins scored three unearned runs in the seventh and tagged the Angel bullpen for five runs in the eighth.

Finley (4-2) has now gone 27 days without a victory, losing two of his last five starts since beating Baltimore on April 27.

“Chuck was great,” Angel Manager Terry Collins said. “In this league, if your starting pitcher does the job he did, you should win.”

Minnesota right-hander Brad Radke (6-3) was just as good, giving up one run on three hits in seven innings, and the Angel defense broke down in the seventh when third baseman Dave Hollins, who had committed two errors all season, made two in one inning.

With a runner on first and one out, Hollins ranged far to his left to field Denny Hocking’s chopper, but his off-balance throw pulled first baseman Cecil Fielder off the bag.

Hocking and Jon Shave, who was on second, attempted a double steal, and Angel catcher Matt Walbeck’s throw to third was perfect. But Shave jammed his front foot into Hollins’ glove and knocked the ball out.

Hollins was charged with an error, and Pat Meares (single), Brent Gates (sacrifice fly) and Paul Molitor (double) each drove in runs. Meares (two-run single) and Ron Coomer (two-run single) highlighted Minnesota’s three-run eighth against Angel relievers Pep Harris, Mike Holtz and Jason Dickson.

The Angels went 15-11 during an April schedule that featured 19 games against New York, Boston, Cleveland and Baltimore, but they are 10-12 in May, a month in which they haven’t played a team with a winning record.

“We’ve got to figure out something quick, because we’re just hanging in there,” Finley said. “A month from now, we might be laughing about this, or we might be crying.”

The Angels remain six games behind the first-place Texas Rangers, “but if anyone tells you they’re worried about Texas, they ought to refocus their attention,” Collins said.

Molitor passed former teammate Robin Yount and moved into 10th place on baseball’s all-time doubles list with two doubles Sunday night, giving him 584 in his career. . . . To replace Watson on the 25-man roster, the Angels recalled utility infielder Frank Bolick from triple-A Vancouver.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Kansas City Royals, two games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Today--5 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West, Wednesday.

* Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 25-23, Royals 17-31.

* 1997 record vs. Royals--6-5.

*

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

KEN HILL

(7-2, 4.23 ERA)

vs.

ROYALS’

TIM BELCHER

(2-6, 4.48 ERA)

*

* Update--There’s never a good time for pitching injuries, but this odd week, which features off days Tuesday and Thursday, will at least allow the Angels to skip Jack McDowell (sore elbow) in the rotation and go until next Monday without a fifth starter to replace the injured Watson. The Royals, who rank last in the American League in runs and second-to-last in team earned-run average, snapped an eight-game losing streak with Sunday’s 8-3 victory over Texas.

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Omar Olivares (2-1, 3.12) vs. Jose Rosado (0-4, 5.26).