TODAY-WEDNESDAY AT TAMPA BAY

Schedule: 4 p.m. today and Wednesday.

* Television: Channel 9 today.

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

* Pitching matchups: Steve Sparks (4-7, 5.16 ERA) vs. Mickey Callaway (1-0, 6.00) today; Jack McDowell (0-1, 1.59) vs. Ryan Rupe (4-5, 4.96) Wednesday.

* Last series: The last time the Angels played at Tampa Bay, they came home in a pennant race. Chuck Finley tossed a three-hit shutout for a 4-0 victory in the series finale to put the Angels 2 1/2 games behind the Texas Rangers. Mo Vaughn was six for 12, including a home run, and drove in four runs in that three-game series.

* About the Devil Rays: With Saturday the last day teams can make trades without having the players involved clear waivers, people are starting to get nervous. Closer Roberto Hernandez is among the many Devil Rays on the trading block. Hernandez, who has 27 saves through Sunday, signed a four-year, $22.5-million contract before the 1998 season. The Devil Rays are without designated hitter Jose Canseco, who was leading the American League with 31 home runs when he underwent back surgery on July 11.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY VS. MINNESOTA

* Schedule: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday.

* Television: Fox Sports West Friday and Saturday.

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

* Last series: Tim Belcher went seven innings, allowing two runs in a 3-2 loss. Ken Hill went 8 2/3 innings, allowing one run in a 5-1 victory. Finley went eight innings, allowing one run in a 2-1 victory. Angel batters, though, did little against Twin pitchers, some of whom had less-than-impressive numbers. LaTroy Hawkins gave up only two runs in seven innings in beating Belcher to lower his earned-run average to 8.03.

* About the Twins: Brad Radke has been a problem for the Angels. He is 7-2 with a 1.63 earned-run average lifetime. The Angels beat him, 2-1, in June. Hawkins was 1-7, but has won five of six decisions, starting with his victory over the Angels. Relievers Mike Trombley and Eddie Guardado are drawing interest from other teams as the trade deadline nears.

HISTORY LESSON

A look back at this week in Angel history:

July 27, 1993: Eduardo Perez, a first-round pick in 1991, homered in his Angel debut. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after the 1995 season.

July 28, 1964: Jim Fregosi became the first Angel to hit for the cycle in a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees.

June 29, 1998: Garret Anderson extended his hitting streak to 26 games, breaking Rod Carew’s team record set in 1982. Anderson would hit safely in 28 games.

Source: Angel records