Appier Can Thank the Mets and Vaughn

Kevin Appier might be the most fortunate player in the major leagues this year.

If the New York Mets had not been so desperate for offense last winter, they might not have gambled on first baseman Mo Vaughn, who missed the 2001 season because of injury.

But they did, and they traded Appier to the Angels for Vaughn.

Appier starts tonight for the Angels, pitching with a chance to clinch the team’s first playoff berth in 16 years. Had he stayed in New York, he would have been part of a Met summer that included co-owners filing dueling lawsuits, the star catcher compelled to call a news conference to discuss his heterosexuality, a pitcher compelled to apologize for marijuana use at another news conference--not to mention a last-place standing on a $100-million payroll.

“It would have been ugly,” Appier said. “Kansas City has the excuse--we have to build our team, we can’t afford to purchase a good team every year. In New York, there aren’t a lot of excuses.”

*

Rookie reliever Scot Shields has thrown a no-hitter, sort of. Shields has not given up a hit over his last 11 2/3 innings and has lowered his earned-run average to 1.96, second to closer Troy Percival on the team.

On the one hand, Shields has kept a no-hitter intact for three weeks; he has not given up a hit since Sept. 3.

On the other hand, even though his streak extends beyond nine innings, Shields isn’t about to accept congratulations for pitching a no-hitter.

“No, no, no, no,” he said. “That’s not even close to somebody throwing one in a nine-inning game, where hitters face you three or four times.

“I couldn’t imagine facing guys three or four times and not giving up any hits.”

*

Francisco Rodriguez pitched in his first major league game six days ago, but he could pitch himself into the Angels’ record book in his next outing. Rodriguez has struck out seven consecutive batters, one shy of the franchise record set by Nolan Ryan.

ON DECK

Opponent--Texas Rangers, three games.

Site--The Ballpark in Arlington.

Tonight--5 PDT.

TV--Channel 9, tonight.

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

Records--Angels 96-60, Rangers 70-86.

Record vs. Rangers--11-5.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ KEVIN APPIER

(14-11, 3.95 ERA)

vs.

RANGERS’ JOAQUIN BENOIT

(3-4, 4.96 ERA)

Update--Ranger shortstop Alex Rodriguez has 56 home runs; no American League player has hit more since Roger Maris hit 61 in 1961. With the Angels’ hopes for a division title all but extinguished, Jarrod Washburn is likely to start on three days’ rest Thursday, setting him up to start the first game of the playoffs on four days’ rest.

Wednesday, 5 p.m. PDT--Ramon Ortiz (15-9, 3.79) vs. Kenny Rogers (13-8, 3.89).

Thursday, noon PDT--Washburn (18-6, 3.15) vs. Colby Lewis (1-2, 6.00).