DODGER-ANGEL REPORT

When Angel pitcher Pat Rapp learned he would be starting in San Francisco last Tuesday, the reality hit him immediately. Five days later, on Father’s Day, he would be pitching at Edison Field against the Dodgers.

Fate or irony, Rapp isn’t sure, but you can bet James Lee Rapp, who died last Aug. 20 after contracting a rare bacteria while fishing in an oyster bed near the family’s Louisiana home, will be on Pat’s mind today.

“I don’t try to figure all this stuff out,” Rapp said. “As tough as it is, I’ve got to go with the flow. I don’t think I’ll be any more emotional before the game, but maybe afterward I will.”

Though the right-hander has a 2.89 ERA over his last seven starts, he’ll take a 1-7 record into today’s game, so he knows he can’t allow himself to be distracted or consumed by thoughts of his father.

“I’m not trying to put any extra meaning on it,” Rapp said. “It’s been a pretty tough year without him, especially with the way things have been going, and being 1-7.”

Angel right fielder Tim Salmon dressed for Saturday night’s game, but he did not take batting practice or outfield practice, and he wasn’t scheduled to play.

He was benched for the weekend because of his .211 average and a .060 mark with runners in scoring position (three for 50), and Manager Mike Scioscia wants him to put some emotional distance between himself and the game.

“He’s not going to do a thing,” Scioscia said. “Ten days ago, he was striking the ball well, his swing looked good, and he was locked in. He just needs to unwind mentally.”

Scioscia said Salmon would not start again until the Angels play in Texas Tuesday night. Salmon has a .426 career average (69 for 162) with 14 homers and 46 RBIs in 42 career games at The Ballpark in Arlington.