ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ALL SET TO HIT THE ROAD.

Byline: BEN VILLA Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- After almost having a perfect game thrown against them by the Chicago White Sox's Freddy Garcia, all the Angels wanted to do after Wednesday's game was get out of town.

The Angels will embark on their final trip of the season, a nine-game, 11-day swing that will start tonight in Texas then run through Kansas City before winding up in Oakland on Sept. 24.

The Angels begin their trip 5 1/2 games behind the Athletics in the American League West with 16 games remaining.

``Maybe if we got no-hit by Garcia, we would be demoralized heading into this trip but we're all pretty well- grounded,'' Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy said. ``If we play well in Texas and Kansas City, then we'll be right where we want to be heading into Oakland.

``And our goal isn't to be within four games or three of the A's when we play them. We want it to be at zero.''

The A's have today off, so the Angels can pick up a half-game in the standings with a win tonight.

Kelvim Escobar (10-13, 3.57 ERA) will start tonight, and Jered Weaver (11-2, 2.30), John Lackey (11-10, 3.53) and Ervin Santana (14-7, 4.50) will follow.

``We've been an up-and--down team offensively all season long but our one consistent has been our pitching,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``Our starters have thrown the second-most innings in the American League and they've been quality innings.''

Welcome back: Howie Kendrick, who's in the midst of a 6-for-39 slump, was given Wednesday off and replaced at first base by Kendry Morales. Morales was recalled Monday from Triple-A SaltLake.

Morales began his big-league career by getting three hits in his first game, including a home run, but after that he struggled to adjust to major- league pitching. In his final 45 games with the Angels before being sent down, he batted just .217 with threehomers and 15 RBIs. He finished the season on a high note at Salt Lake, hitting .320 with 12 homers and 52RBIs.

``Kendry has been hot and cold this year, but when he went back down he started attacking the ball,'' Scioscia said. ``He's an aggressive hitter but he needs to be aggressive in his zone.''

Also: It was hazing day and several rookies, including Mike Napoli, were seen after the game wearing women's dresses as they headed for the plane to Texas. ... Scioscia is within two victories of 600 for his career. He only trails Bill Rigney (625) for most wins by a manager in franchise history.