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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 24, 2001
10:05 tonight, 10:05 Wednesday, 10:05 Thursday
SCOUTING REPORT: Battling to stay in the wild-card race, the Angels continue to win with pitching. Their starters work deeper into games than any other AL staff and have allowed three runs or fewer in 14 of their 19 July games. Their bullpen, led by dominating Troy Percival, is one of the stingiest around. They are 41-2 when leading after seven innings. Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus do what they can to lead an impressive offense, and rookie David Eckstein adds plenty of hustle. Outfielder Tim Salmon, immersed in a season-long slump, was activated off the disabled list Friday.
THE PAST WEEK: Not much has happened since the Angels swept two games from the Rays last week at the Trop. They had a game postponed Friday in Baltimore, beat the Orioles on Saturday, won the first game of a doubleheader Sunday to extend their winning streak to six (the team's longest since 1998), lost the nightcap and won Monday before flying back across the country.
FLORIDA CONNECTIONS: Rays third-base coach Terry Collins managed the Angels from 1997-99. ... Eckstein starred at the University of Florida. ... Anaheim bullpen coach Bobby Ramos spent three seasons as a minor-league manager for the Rays.
ALL-TIME SERIES: The Angels have won five of the six games at the Trop this season and lead the all-time series 24-17. This is the Rays' only trip of the season to Anaheim, where they are 8-18.
WHO'S HOT: Eckstein has 11 hits in his past 21 at-bats, including a pair of four-hit games.
WHO'S NOT: Salmon didn't look any better after three weeks on the disabled list, going hitless in his first nine at-bats and 1-for-11 overall.