ANGELS MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS

SALT LAKE BEES

triple A, Pacific Coast League

Despite having a roster in flux because of call-ups and demotions from the Angels, the Bees lead the North Division in the Pacific Coast League. Before being recalled Friday, second baseman Howie Kendrick was second in the PCL with a .369 batting average and fourth with 62 runs batted in. Outfielder Nick Gorneault is hitting .286 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs through Thursday, and outfielder Reggie Willits leads the team with 22 steals. With Jered Weaver in Anaheim, left-hander Joe Saunders is the ace, with a 10-3 record and 2.50 earned-run average. Greg Jones has nine saves.

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ARKANSAS TRAVELERS

double A, Texas League

After finishing in fourth place in the first half of the Texas League season with a 24-45 record, the Travelers are tied for second place as the second half moves into its fourth week. Through Thursday, catcher Bobby Wilson leads the team with a .316 batting average (sixth in the league) and third baseman Matt Brown is hitting .307 with 48 RBIs. Shortstop Brandon Wood, considered by most to be the Angels’ top prospect in Arkansas, is hitting .291 with 61 RBIs and is third in the league with 19 homers. Pitching has been a weak point; Jesse Smith, who has a 6-8 record, leads the team in ERA at 4.28.

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NOW YOU KNOW

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been hosts of three All-Star games since the New York Mets’ Shea Stadium, above, last was host of one. A list of teams that have gone the longest since playing host to an All-Star game:

*--* Team Current stadium Last All-Star game New York Mets Shea Stadium 1964 St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium 1966 Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium 1973 New York Yankees Yankee Stadium 1977 Dodgers Dodger Stadium 1980 Expos/Nationals RFK Stadium 1982 San Francisco Giants AT&T; Park 1984 Minnesota Twins Metrodome 1985 Oakland Athletics McAfee Coliseum 1987

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Note: Florida, Arizona and Tampa Bay have never been the host of an All-Star game. San Francisco plays host to the 2007 All-Star game.

Source: Major League Baseball

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IT’S A FACT

* Now: Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra is second in the National League with a .345 batting average.

* Then: The last Dodgers player to lead the National League in hitting was Tommy Davis, who hit .326 in 1963.

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ONE UP, ONE DOWN

FIRST BASE

* Up: Mark Teixeira, Texas -- Four home runs, 10 RBIs in last three games.

* Down: Dan Johnson, Oakland -- Sent to the minors after a five-for-38 skid.

SECOND BASE

* Up: Dan Uggla, Florida -- Has now been on more All-Star teams than Tim Salmon.

* Down: Jeff Kent, Dodgers -- He’s probably worried about his good friend Barry.

THIRD BASE

* Up: Aubrey Huff, Houston -- Trade to contending Astros ought to inspire him.

* Down: Antonio Perez, Oakland -- Hitting a lofty .092 this season. Shouldn’t he be with the Pirates?

SHORTSTOP

* Up: David Eckstein, St. Louis -- Somewhere in the world, Fred Patek is smiling.

* Down: Adam Everett, Houston -- His glove doesn’t make up for a .234 batting average.

OUTFIELD

* Up: Jason Bay, Pittsburgh -- Nice to see him get lengthy ovation at All-Star game.

* Down: Jim Edmonds, St. Louis -- Is it injuries or is it age catching up to him?

CATCHER

* Up: Paul Lo Duca, N.Y. Mets -- He’s good, but I’d rather have Brad Penny and Russell Martin.

* Down: Brad Ausmus, Houston -- Could never hit, and now can’t seem to throw runners out.

PITCHER

* Up: John Lackey, Angels -- Two straight shutouts. Bartolo, meet the new ace.

* Down: Odalis Perez, Dodgers -- At least Carlos Perez wasn’t a whiner.