Baylor Said to Be Interested

Don Baylor--with Phil Garner a leading candidate to replace Terry Collins as manager of the Angels--has been contacted by the club and has expressed his desire to pursue the position, according to two baseball officials. Baylor, the hitting instructor for the Atlanta Braves, also appears to be in contention in Baltimore. The Orioles reportedly are not going to exercise Manager Ray Miller’s option.

Garner interviewed Thursday and Friday with Angel executives, including General Manager Bill Bavasi.

*

A’s Manager Art Howe met Tuesday afternoon with Angel assistant general manager Ken Forsch. The pair once were teammates in the big leagues, but their conversation had less to do with old times and more to do with Howe’s bench coach, Ken Macha.

Well-respected in both organizations, Macha is something of a dark horse candidate for the Angels’ managerial opening. Howe said he intended to speak directly with Bavasi, who was occupied.

A’s General Manager Billy Beane also intended to speak with Bavasi regarding Macha, who distinguished himself as a minor-league manager and big-league coach in stints with the Montreal Expos, Angels, Boston Red Sox and A’s.

While he would not comment on the process, Bavasi conceded, “He’s a top-quality guy.”

*

Medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum and head trainer Ned Bergert, among others, were to meet Tuesday night with closer Troy Percival regarding his right shoulder, which apparently is inflamed. Percival has said he would rather finish the season pitching, though the club is wary. . . . Right-hander Tim Belcher, whose season ended prematurely because of a muscle strain near his pitching elbow, apparently will not need surgery.

ANGELS’

BRIAN COOPER

(1-1, 4.30)

vs.

ATHLETICS

OMAR OLIVARES

(15-11, 4.08)

Edison Field, 7:30 p.m.

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

* Update--Olivares goes against his former teammates. In 11 starts with the A’s, he is 7-2 with a 4.13 earned-run average. Cooper has pitched well enough to be a factor in spring training.

Athletics 9, Angels 3