[0] ANGELS' EFFORT IS UNREAL; THEY STUN INDIANS WITH ALL-AROUND PLAY : ANGELS 11, CLEVELAND 4.

Byline: Joe Haakenson San Gabriel Valley Tribune

The scene of the crime: Edison Field. The crime: kidnapping.

After the Angels played soundly in all facets of the game in an 11-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians Monday night, the only question on the minds of many of the 25,339 in attendance was: ``What happened to the real Angels?''

The Angels who played nearly flawless baseball against the AL Central leaders Monday bore no resemblance to the Angels who had lost four in a row, five of six on the homestand, and 20 of 29 since the end of June.

And in fact, there was an addition to the team that seemed to make all the difference in the world. Second baseman Randy Velarde, who had played in only two games this season trying to come back from reconstructive elbow surgery, sparked the team with three hits, including a double, two runs scored and an RBI.

The Angels had 10 hits in all, including a three-run home run by Tim Salmon (No. 19) that capped a five-run second inning off losing pitcher Jaret Wright (9-7).

Angels starter Steve Sparks (5-2) gave up three runs and seven hits in 5-1/3 innings to get the win, and got help from relievers Pep Harris and Trevor Wilson. Harris replaced Sparks with one out and the bases loaded in the sixth, and got out of the inning by striking out Sandy Alomar and getting David Bell on a popup. Wilson pitched the final two innings to close it out in his Angels debut.

The Angels also got stellar play in the field. Right fielder Garret Anderson played a drive off the wall and threw out Manny Ramirez trying for a double in the second inning.

Shortstop Gary DiSarcina dived to his right to make a catch on a line drive hit by Bell in the third. And left fielder Orlando Palmeiro made a diving catch of a liner hit by Omar Vizquel in the third.

There was cause for concern for the Angels, however, in this one. Darin Erstad grabbed his left hamstring after beating out an infield hit in the seventh inning. He had to leave the game but was diagnosed with a slight strain and is listed as day-to-day.

There may be other reasons for the sudden change of fortune, but the addition of Velarde was the most obvious. He went 3 for 5 in games May 13 and 14 in Chicago, where he suffered a stress fracture in the elbow. He thought his season, and maybe his career, was through.

``I wrote myself off, personally,'' Velarde said. ``It was something I had never really done. That's how excruciating the pain was. But I got a reprieve and now I'm taking advantage of it.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO (Color) VELARDE