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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 18, 2001
7:15 tonight, 12:15 p.m. Thursday
SCOUTING REPORT: The Angels are hanging around .500, which in a normal year would put them on the fringe of the pennant race. But with the Mariners streaking ahead, the Angels can hope only to be in the wild-card picture. They've won with pitching, featuring the best bullpen in the league led by Troy Percival. The Angels are 37-2 when leading after seven. Starter Jarrod Washburn, who pitches Thursday, hasn't lost since May 8. Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus lead an offense that has been stagnant, but that was to be expected with Mo Vaughn out for the season and Tim Salmon, who probably won't come off the disabled list until Friday, barely making an impact.
THE PAST WEEK: It has been like this a lot for the Angels: They won five straight, lost three, then beat San Diego on Monday and Tuesday. The Angels are going to have a hard time getting up for the Rays. They played an afternoon game in California on Tuesday and weren't scheduled to get to their St. Petersburg hotel until around 3 this morning. And they have an early start time Thursday.
FLORIDA CONNECTIONS: Rays third-base coach Terry Collins managed the Angels from 1997-99. ... Angels rookie shortstop David Eckstein starred at the University of Florida and won a state championship at Sanford-Seminole High. ... Anaheim bullpen coach Bobby Ramos spent three seasons as a minor-league manager for the Rays.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Angels won three of four at the Trop in May and lead the all-time series 22-17. At the Trop, Anaheim has a 12-9 edge. The teams play again next week in Anaheim.
WHO'S HOT: Anderson has hit in 19 of his past 21 games, posting a .341 average with six home runs.
WHO'S NOT: Glaus was dropped to sixth in the order Monday after starting the second half 2-for-13 and is 2-for-7 since.