ANGELES REPORT : And So It Goes, as Finley Well Knows

In his 14 seasons with the Angels, Chuck Finley has seen managers come and go . . . and go . . . and go.

He has played for six managers and seven interim managers, including Joe Maddon for the third time. There has been one common denominator.

“It always reflects on the same thing,” the 36-year old Finley said. “When you don’t play well, the manager is the first to go, then the players are next.”

A minor hip injury has enabled Finley to keep a low profile since Terry Collins resigned as manager Friday. He was scratched from his start Sunday, but is expected to take his regular turn Friday.

As to whether he would be a player to go, Finley would not speculate. He is 3-1 with a 1.63 earned-run average in his last four starts. He is also a free agent at the end of the season.

The Angels balked at trading Finley to Cleveland in July and seem interested in re-signing him for a 15th season and a seventh manager.

‘I’m not worrying about the off-season,” Finley said. “I just want to finish up strong. All you can do right now is move forward.”

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The Angels might have been able to quell the finger pointing--at least from inside their clubhouse--but accusations from out of town have trickled in. Texas second baseman Luis Alicea took exception to Collins resigning, telling reporters Saturday the players were to blame.

“You have a lot of players over there who start making plans for November in August,” said Alicea, who played with the Angels in 1997. “There are some guys over there who are very complacent. They have guys over there who don’t play hard. That’s where the trouble comes from. They don’t care enough.”

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Troy Glaus’ home run off New York Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens wasn’t particularly memorable beyond the fact it helped the Angels get a victory Monday.

“It’s nice to win, it’s even nicer when you help the team win,” said Glaus, whose 412-foot blast gave the Angels a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

It wasn’t exactly a top-10 highlight for Clemens, either.

“He has a lazy swing and it was a lazy pitch,” Clemens said. “That is usually a bad combination.”

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The Angels called up relief pitcher Steve Mintz from triple-A Edmonton. Mintz was 4-3 with nine saves and a 2.35 ERA for the Trappers.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ TIM BELCHER (6-8, 6.655 ERA) vs. WHITE SOX’S JAMES BALDWIN (9-15, 5.62 ERA)

Edison Field, 7:30 p.m

TV--Fox Sports West. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090)

* Update--Tim Salmon spent a second consecutive game as designated hitter Tuesday, as a lower-back strain prevented him from playing right field. “It is something we’re keeping tabs on,” Maddon said. “We check with him daily to see how he feels. Having his bat in the lineup is what we’re looking for.” Salmon said he injured the back while taking extra batting practice in Cleveland last week.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.