Salmon’s Just All Ears, Ready to Hear the Fans

A sellout crowd of 42,972 was on its feet in Edison Field Sunday night, roaring its approval as Troy Percival got Alex Rodriguez to fly out and end the Angels’ 3-1 victory over the Mariners.

It was probably the most emotional--and loudest--moment the Angels have experienced in their home park this season, but designated hitter Tim Salmon would like to see Angel fans pump up the volume even more for a three-game series against Texas beginning tonight.

“If you’ve been to the East Coast, you know what a good crowd can do,” Salmon said. “When we’re hitting in the top of the ninth and their closer is in the game, the crowds are so exciting it gives you goose bumps. We don’t have that here, and maybe it will take getting to the playoffs to get it.

“There were a few times [Sunday night] where I thought, ‘Geez, it’s kind of quiet here for a sellout crowd.’ They got into it when we’d get a rally going, but I’d like to see the crowd initiate a rally. That’s when you play your best, when that emotion comes out. We need that 10th man.”

The Angels experienced that kind of feeling in New York and Cleveland in late August and early September, and in Texas last week. “And everyone in Texas was wearing red,” Salmon said.

One problem for Angel fans: With a logo that consists of navy, periwinkle, medium blue, light blue, red, gold and bronze, what would they wear?

“I don’t know,” Salmon said. “Maybe they can wear Mickey Mouse ears.”

*

As if Gregg Jefferies wasn’t keeping Angel trainers busy enough already, the outfielder was injured again on Saturday night, suffering a badly bruised right elbow when he slammed into a plexiglass portion of the left-field wall making a catch. .

The elbow was cut and so swollen “he’s having trouble straightening his arm out,” said Manager Terry Collins, who scratched Jefferies from Sunday night’s lineup. Jefferies also aggravated his sore left hamstring, and Collins isn’t sure he’ll be ready tonight.

First baseman Darin Erstad, who has only three at-bats since straining his left hamstring on Sept. 2, is also expected to play tonight. Erstad started Thursday night in Texas but was pulled from the game after singling and breaking awkwardly out of the batter’s box.

“I can run down the line, but I have to be careful on that first step,” Erstad said. “I wasn’t in Texas and aggravated it. If I do that, I can’t run at all. I’ve got to be careful. I’m not real good at that.”

*

Seattle slugger Ken Griffey took offense at reporters questioning his decision to bunt with two on in the first inning Sunday night. “Is it a rule in baseball that I can’t bunt and do the little things to help the team win?” Griffey said. “Can’t I do anything without being questioned?” Mariner Manager Lou Piniella, asked if Griffey bunted on his own, said: “The sign didn’t come from me, that’s for sure.” . . . Veteran shortstop Gary DiSarcina Sunday was awarded the 1998 Owner’s Trophy, voted by Angel players and given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of inspirational leadership, sportsmanship and professional ability. DiSarcina is hitting .287 and has set career highs for runs (69), hits (152), doubles (37) and RBIs (54).

ON DECK

* Opponent--Texas Rangers, three games.

* Site--Edison Field.

* Tonight--7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West, all three games.

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

* Records--Angels 83-72, Rangers 83-72.

* 1998 record vs. Rangers--5-4

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ STEVE SPARKS (9-3, 4.42 ERA) vs. RANGERS’ TODD STOTTLEMYRE (4-4, 4.89 ERA)

* Update--Sparks got hammered in his last start against Texas Thursday night, giving up four runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings of a 7-6 loss, but it wasn’t because his knuckleball wasn’t dancing. “I had a pretty good knuckleball the last time out, probably too good a one,” Sparks said. “I can’t be getting behind, 1-0 and 2-0, on counts and expect to get those guys out.” Stottlemyre came through with his best game as a Ranger last Wednesday, spotting his fastball so effectively he limited the Angels to one run on six hits in eight innings.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Chuck Finley (11-8, 3.44) vs. Rick Helling (19-7, 4.54).

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Ken Hill (9-5, 5.12) vs. John Burkett (8-13, 5.87).