Turnstiles Clicking, Even if the Team Isn’t

The honeymoon is still going strong, even though the Angels have fallen out of playoff contention.

The defending World Series champions have averaged 40,732 fans in 14 games at Edison Field since the All-Star break, more than 3,000 over their season average, and remain on pace to draw more than 3 million fans for the first time in franchise history.

The surge in attendance appears peculiar, considering the Angels have lost 21 of 29 games since the All-Star break after Thursday’s 5-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Edison Field. The team is averaging 37,568 fans per game, trailing only the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners in the American League.

But Kevin Uhlich, the Angels’ senior vice president for business operations, said crowds typically increase this time of year because of a surge in tourism. The team is averaging 2,500 in walkup ticket sales a game, after selling a record number of season tickets.

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A large picture of Scott Spiezio and teammates celebrating their World Series victory over the San Francisco Giants has been installed in the lower concourse across from the team store, one of several stadium improvements the Angels have recently unveiled. A barbecue pit has been added in the courtyards near the home-plate entrances and a Mexican food station is now operational near the Family Zone.

“I think the stadium is shaping up,” said Angel owner Arte Moreno, who implemented the upgrades. “There’s a lot of little things we’d still like to do.”

One major upgrade Moreno hopes to have in place by the start of the 2004 season is a new scoreboard in right field.

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David Eckstein was held out of the lineup for a third consecutive game with tightness in his right hamstring, but Manager Mike Scioscia said the shortstop should return tonight when the Angels open a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Detroit Tigers, three games

Site -- Edison Field.

TV -- Channel 9 tonight, Fox Sports Net Saturday and Sunday.

Radio -- KSPN (710), XKAM (950).

Records -- Angels 57-64, Tigers 31-88.

2002 record vs. Tigers -- 5-1.

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Aaron Sele (6-9, 4.96) vs. Wilfredo Ledezma (3-6, 4.82).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Ramon Ortiz (13-10, 4.72) vs. Jeremy Bonderman (6-15, 5.15).

Tickets -- (714) 663-9000.