A.L. (Baseball).

Anaheim Angels

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61-41 2nd in West

HIDDEN SLUMP: The team has played so well of late it has obscured 3B Troy Glaus' two-month slump. Glaus was hitting .292 at the end of May, but since then he has hit .199, lowering his season average to .244. Part of the problem is Glaus' drop in the batting order. He hit third early in the season and got more good pitches with cleanup hitter LF Garret Anderson batting behind him. Now he's batting fifth, usually with IB/DHs Brad Fullmer or Scott Spiezio behind him. They don't scare many pitchers.... RHPs Brendan Donnelly and Scot Shields pitched well during RHP Troy Percival's stint on the D.L. Donnelly threw 9 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out 15. Shields pitched 9 2/3 innings, allowing only two runs. Both pitchers started the year at Class AAA, and their performances kept them from being sent down again upon Percival's return. Also, Shields has a heavy sinker and a good slider, resulting in ground balls and broken bats. Manager Mike Scioscia instead sent down RHP Lou Pote, who was used only four times in July, making him expendable.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Trailing the A's 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, 2B Adam Kennedy reached first, bringing up the top of the order. Scioscia had the ideal hit-and-run batter at the plate in SS David Eckstein, who also is a good bunter. Scioscia went for the sacrifice, moving Kennedy to second. Scinscia liked his chances for a tie despite giving up an out, but his strategy didn't work. The next two hitters, CF Darin Erstad and RF Tim Salmon, made outs.--Joe Haakenson

JULY GRADES

OFFENSE: B The team continues to pressure pitchers with plenty of baserunners.