A.L.

Anaheim Angels www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/angels

75-80

3rd West

Glaus focuses on RBIs, not average

Though 3B Troy Glaus' average has fallen from .284 last year into the .240s this season, he will have another 100-plus-RBI season. Glaus says he is concerned about driving in runs and not about his average. He is, however, among the league leaders in strikeouts. Manager Mike Scioscia has the utmost confidence in Glaus, saying he is capable of driving in 130-140 runs per season once he gains more experience and learns to make better adjustments.... SS David Eckstein has been solid at the top of the lineup, but he has scored just 79 runs--not very good for a leadoff hitter. Since Eckstein has been getting on base, it's the fault of the hitters behind him for not moving him along and driving him in. Eckstein has scored more than one run in a game just 10 times this season. In those games, the Angels are 7-3.

SCOUTING REPORT: 2B Adam Kennedy often found himself on the bench this year when the club faced a lefthander. That wasn't the case so much last year, when he hit better against lefties (.275) than righties (.263). But in 2001, he is hitting .245 vs. lefties, .280 vs. righties. Still, Kennedy has made an effort to cut down on his swing, make better contact and be more selective. He also has made strides on defense, though he still needs to do improve his double-play pivot. But he is just 25 and expected to make improvements in his overall game.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: A partly torn right rotator cuff has forced RHP Shigetoshi Hasegawa to learn to pitch all over again. He missed five weeks because of the injury, and when he came back, he was hesitant to throw hard. He has been hitting 92 mph with his fastball, but he hasn't let it fly for fear injuring his shoulder further. He has seemed to find a workable middle ground. His slider is more effective because he's throwing it softer and getting more movement, and he is locating his fastball better. He didn't allow a run in nine of 11 games. The dub seems to be gaining confidence that the shoulder is recovering; it recently had pitch him two innings in consecutive appearances over three days. --Joe Haakenson