Incentive Certainly Isn’t Lacking

The Angels have been asked often this summer how they are incorporating the lessons from their colossal collapse of 1995 in their pennant chase of 1998, but shortstop Gary DiSarcina believes the disappointment of 1996 may have provided more incentive for the Angels this season.

That was the year the Angels, after losing a one-game playoff to Seattle to determine the 1995 American League West championship, were picked by many to win the division but stumbled their way through a 70-91 season, finishing in last place, 19 1/2 games behind.

“That year was more important than 1995 because we learned what it was like to be humbled,” DiSarcina said. “We realized we were playing for all the wrong reasons and learned you have to play as a team for the whole year.

“We had to win our last five games [after blowing an 11-game lead] in 1995 to force that playoff game. I think there was a lot of pride in that team. No one was ashamed.”

The following year was a different story. The Angels muddled their way through 1996, using a franchise-record 29 pitchers.

“That made us hungrier,” DiSarcina said. “You think you’re sitting on top of the world, expectations are real high, and you fall flat on your face. Overall, that was more of a learning year compared to 1995.”

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DiSarcina sent a strong message to his teammates that they should not hang their heads over Darin Erstad’s injury.

“To use his injury as a crutch is a cop-out,” DiSarcina said. “I don’t want anyone saying Erstad got hurt in September, and we couldn’t clinch [the division title] without him. That’s B.S.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Kansas City Royals, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7 p.m.

* TV--None.

* Radio--KRLA (1110), XPRS (1090), KIK-FM (94.3).

* Records--Angels 77-63, Royals 64-75.

* 1997 record vs. Royals--4-4.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ KEN HILL (9-5, 5.10 ERA) vs. ROYALS’ PAT RAPP (11-11, 5.16 ERA)

* Update--Chris Pritchett didn’t have much time Wednesday to contemplate how Erstad’s injury would affect him. Before he knew it, Pritchett entered the game as a pinch-runner for Erstad in the first inning and remained at first base, hitting a run-scoring triple to help the Angels defeat the Indians, 13-5. Now, much of the first-base duties--at least against right-handed starters--could go to Pritchett.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Jack McDowell (3-3, 4.45) vs. Brian Barber (2-1, 6.00).

Sunday, 5 p.m.--Chuck Finley (10-6, 3.20) vs. Tim Belcher (12-11, 4.14).