ANGELS BEAT YANKEES 12-4 BUT LOSE FINLEY : ANGELS 12, N.Y. YANKEES 4.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

The Angels defeated the New York Yankees 12-4 Tuesday night in front of 22,596 at Anaheim Stadium and moved into a tie for first in the AL West with the Seattle Mariners.

Too bad Chuck Finley didn't stick around to see it.

Finley, who had won his last 10 starts, left in the third inning after spraining his left, pitching wrist, backing up home plate. He was examined in the clubhouse and his status is day-to-day.

Angels pitcher Jason Dickson (12-5), scheduled to start the first game of today's doubleheader, replaced Finley and won for the first time in a month.

But after a grueling 2-5 road trip and a week of off the field drama, the Angels will take a win any way they can.

They scored seven runs in the first against Yankees starter David Wells and never looked back. The only time they looked bad was when New York third baseman Wade Boggs took the mound in the ninth and threw six balls and 11 strikes.

The victory put the Angels in first for the first time since Aug. 12 and snapped a three-game losing streak. It also put the Angels, who have won 15 of their last 20 at home, five games behind New York in the wild card race.

The Angels' longest streak record was for the taking for Finley. The left-hander earned a tie for a club-best 10th straight victory on Aug. 15 at Milwaukee and the Angels put him in position for history with the seven run first.

The victim of the Angels' first inning fireworks was Wells, who was tagged for seven runs on seven hits. In all, 12 Angels came to the plate and they batted around for the 19th time this season.

Five Angels earned an RBI and Jim Edmonds hit a two-run single. The seven runs were the most in the first inning by the Angels this season. Also, the only time the Angels have scored more runs in an inning this season was a 13-run outburst on May 12 against the Chicago White Six in the seventh.

While a seven-run lead would seem more than enough for Finley, the 6-foot-6, 215-pounder was roughed up on and off the mound in the second. With the bases loaded, a full count and two outs, recently acquired second baseman Rey Sanchez hit a three-run single to close the gap to 7-3.

During the hit, Finley ran to cover catcher Todd Greene behind home plate. But in the process, the pitcher lost his footing and fell on his backside. Finley was examined by Angels athletic trainer Rick Smith before returning to the mound and finishing the inning.

Greene, however, extended the Angels lead by hitting a two-run homer off Wells in the second that put the Angels ahead 9-3. Also during that inning, Edmonds added the 500th hit of his career.

Finley retired the first two Yankees in the third, but after two walks and a wild pitch, he left the game.

Finley, who allowed three hits and four runs in 2-2/3 innings, also earned his shortest outing since a two-plus inning performance on Opening Day against the Yankees (April 15). The outing also ended his bid to make a record for 11 straight wins in 11 starts.

Before the game there were many inquiries about the status of Dickson and his sore right shoulder. The All-Star right-hander hadn't pitched since April 12, missed a start and was considered for the disabled list.

Dickson was questioned whether he would be healthy for a start of the first game of a doubleheader today. In shocking fashion, the Angels showed confidence that he was more than ready by replacing Finley with him in the third. The relief appearance was the first of the rookie's career.

Dickson's first batter, Paul O'Neill, hit a one-run single to cut the Angels' lead to 9-4. But the usual starter followed by getting Charlie Hayes to end the inning with a ground out.

Dickson (12-5) was impressive as he allowed four hits and no runs in 6-1/3 innings and 84 pitches in the win.

Tim Salmon continued the Angels' hit parade with a two-run homer off Wells with two outs in the third. The right fielder's blast, which made him the second fastest Angel to reach 100 RBI-mark. While Salmon reached the mark in 120 games, Don Baylor still holds the record by doing it in 115.