ANGELS BEST IN THE WEST GLAUS HITS 3 HRS IN 94TH WIN ANGELS 13, TEXAS 4.

Byline: Keven Chavez Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Five months ago, the Angels got off to the worst start in club history. On Sunday, they took another historic step toward the club's best season ever.

Shoddy defense by the Texas Rangers spotted Anaheim five runs in the first inning and third baseman Troy Glaus hit three home runs to take care of the rest in a 13-4 Angels victory in front of 33,445 at Edison Field.

The victory gave the Angels a one-game lead in the American League West over the Oakland A's, who lost Sunday to Seattle. It's the first time the Angels have had sole possession of first place this late in the season since Sept. 15, 1998.

The win also was the Angels' team-record 94th of the season, eclipsing the previous best of 93 set in 1982.

But there was little celebration in the Angels' clubhouse. Not with a huge four-game series in Oakland starting today.

``The only time we'll look at the standings is when the season's over,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We're not paying any attention to it; we know our destiny is in our hands and need to keep the same focus.''

There might have been cause for concern with an Angels lineup Sunday without its three hottest hitters. Garret Anderson, David Eckstein and Adam Kennedy - who own three of top five batting averages in the AL since the All-Star break - were sidelined with ailments. But Glaus, hitting in the unlikely No. 2 spot in the order, picked up the slack by matching a career-high with six RBI and becoming the first Angels to hit three homers in a game since Dave Winfield on April 13, 1991.

``It doesn't matter where you hit them, but if there are runners out there you have to drive them in,'' said Glaus, who has 27 home runs this season. ``It's exciting that we got a win.''

In the fifth inning, Glaus' first blast to center field was followed by a Scott Spiezio solo home run off Texas starter Kenny Rogers (13-8) that put the Angels up 7-3.

In the seventh, Glaus hit a two-run shot to left off reliever Jay Powell. In his next at-bat in the eighth, Glaus hit a three-run homer just over the fence in right center to put the Angels ahead 13-4.

Ramon Ortiz pitched a steady seven innings to earn his 14th victory. The right-hander struck out six, walked three and gave up four runs.

Staked to a 5-0 lead, Ortiz escaped potential disaster in the fifth. Two hits and a walk loaded the bases for the Rangers with no outs. A sacrifice fly by Hank Blalock and a two-run double by Michael Young gave Texas three runs, but Ortiz struck out Todd Hollandsworth with another run in scoring position to keep it 5-3.

``A 5-0 lead against the Texas Rangers is really like a 2-0 lead since they can score in bunches,'' Scioscia said. ``But Ramon made some pitches when the game was a lot closer than it ended up being and squelched some rallies.''

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Photo:

Texas' Kevin Mench is out at second base as the Angels' Benji Gil throws to first in the Angels' 13-4 victory Sunday at Edison Field.

John Hayes/Associated Press