Child Psychology Works as Team Tunes In

Batting instructor Rod Carew gathered players around the clubhouse big-screen TV Thursday and popped a horror flick into the VCR--a tape of Ranger right-hander John Burkett’s seven-inning one-hitter during a 5-0 Texas win over the Angels June 29.

As the Angels watched themselves flail away at Burkett’s pitches, Carew walked into the coaches’ office and quipped to reporters: “ ‘Sesame Street’ is in session.”

Later, Carew seemed like Oscar the Grouch.

“I hope that [ticks] them off,” Carew said. “You can’t just give away at-bats like we’ve been doing. . . . If they think [making them watch the video] is childish, I don’t care. If they can’t sit down and watch it by themselves, I’ll make them watch it.”

Carew claimed he wasn’t punishing the Angels, but there was a distinct message in this gesture: There will be no more slacking off in the preparation department.

“The four hours these guys are here, they’re mine,” Carew said. “When I say there’s a certain time they have to do something, they’re going to do it, no exceptions. That’s the law of the land now. I’ve cut them too much slack this year.”

Whatever Carew’s motives, they worked. The Angels ripped Burkett for five runs on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings, with Tim Salmon, still trying to regain his stroke after missing 2 1/2 months because of a sprained left wrist, and Mo Vaughn collecting three hits each.

“It’s nice to have him back out there,” Angel Manager Terry Collins said of Salmon. “When he gets his bat going, he’s going to be dangerous.”

*

Vaughn didn’t take offense to teammate Darin Erstad’s critical comments about the Angels Wednesday, just their timing.

“I have my own interpretation of things, so I’m not going to comment on his,” Vaughn said. “This is the worst time to be pointing fingers at anyone. It’s not a time for that at all. . . . I look at it as frustration. He’s just angry. We all are.”

Asked why he hasn’t been the clubhouse force the Angels thought was standard on the $80-million Mo Vaughn high-performance package, Vaughn said: “What do you want me to do, beat everyone up? I haven’t been myself, not necessarily because of my stats, but in terms of my mental attitude. I’m just trying to keep myself going, not so much the team.”

*

Juan Gonzalez’s fifth-inning flare headed for the gap in right-center Thursday night. Salmon raced over and, as those in the Angel dugout probably gasped, made a sliding catch, the same play--but in a different direction--on which Salmon sprained his wrist May 3.

“I think that shows you there’s only one way to play the game,” Collins said. “Tim went after that ball, saw that he’d have to slide, and his wrist never entered his mind. Instincts take over, and you can’t teach instincts. They just happen.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Baltimore Orioles, three games.

* Site--Camden Yards, Baltimore.

* Tonight--4:30 PDT.

* TV--Channel 9 today and Sunday; Channel 11 Saturday.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 42-52, Orioles 42-53.

* Record vs. Orioles--3-3.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ JACK McDOWELL (0-0, 0.00)

vs.

ORIOLES’ JUAN GUZMAN (4-8, 4.53 ERA)

* Update--The Angels activated McDowell and catcher Charlie O’Brien off the disabled list Thursday night and recalled reliever Mike Holtz from triple-A Edmonton. To clear room, the Angels optioned left-handed relievers Scott Schoeneweis and Jarrod Washburn and catcher Bret Hemphill to Edmonton. Collins said Schoeneweis, who had a 5.49 earned-run average in 31 appearances, and Washburn will return to their starting roles at Edmonton. Pitcher Tim Belcher has thrown two bullpen workouts this week and has reported no problems with the broken pinky on his right hand. Belcher will throw in a simulated game in Tampa Bay early next week and could return by next weekend. The Orioles have won eight of 11 games and are led by B.J. Surhoff (.337, 21 homers, 76 RBIs) and Harold Baines (.339, 21 homers, 66 RBIs).

* Saturday, 1 p.m. PDT--Ken Hill (3-8, 5.23) vs. Jason Johnson (1-4, 5.73).

* Sunday, 10:30 a.m. PDT--Chuck Finley (5-9, 5.59) vs. Sidney Ponson (9-6, 3.74).