ANGELS NOTEBOOK: FIVE MAGIC NUMBER FOR SELE.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - It would have been the most captivating drama in Southern California this summer: Aaron Sele, threatening Orel Hershisher's record 59-inning scoreless streak five innings at a time.

Alas, Sele finally gave up a run for the first time since the Angels put him on a five-inning limit. He ran that scoreless streak to 14 innings Thursday before an RBI groundout in the fifth inning by Kansas City's Aaron Guiel broke it.

Still, Sele won for the third time in as many starts since moving to the five-inning limit, and the Angels beat the Royals 7-1.

Before the five-inning plan, Sele was 3-6 with a 7.01 ERA and had walked 10 batters in his previous 13 2/3 innings. But since limiting his innings, Sele has flourished, and Thursday, he even admitted that although he hasn't changed his approach, ``in the long haul, maybe it has been the best thing.''

He gave up four hits in five innings against Kansas City and walked one; he's yielded just nine hits and five walks in his three five-inning starts.

Thursday was Sele's last start before the All-Star break, and manager Mike Scioscia said the team will reevaluate whether to lift the limit. Sele, coming off shoulder surgery last October, has been comfortable throwing to backup catcher Jose Molina, who has caught him in all three starts.

``The last couple of starts, he's been able to hit spots more consistently than against the Dodgers,'' Molina said. ``We get along good. Nobody's easy to catch, but we are on the same page.''

Molina had a pair of hits Thursday and is six for his past 15, boosting his average from .167 to .237.

--Kennedy goes deep: Before Thursday, Adam Kennedy hadn't hit a home run off a left-handed pitcher since last Oct. 13. That was in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, when he failed to get down a bunt attempt, then ripped a three-run shot off Minnesota reliever Johan Santana, capping a three-homer day and sparking a 10-run inning that sent the Angels to the World Series.

Kennedy still rarely plays against lefties, but David Eckstein's shoulder injury has forced Kennedy's platoon partner, Benji Gil, to shortstop, opening a window for Kennedy. On Thursday, he hit a solo homer off Royals starter Chris George for his first homer against a lefty this year and first homer period since May 30. It snapped an 0-for-18 skid.

Kennedy is hitting lefties at a .167 clip but would like to show he can hit them given the opportunity.

``You like to take advantage of that situation,'' Kennedy said. ``I understand windows when (Scioscia) puts Benji in against lefties, but you'd like to have the confidence of when Benji goes down or Eck goes down, you can do the job as well.''

Tonight, the Twins visit for the first time since the ALCS and Kennedy might get another shot against a lefty he knows well - Santana.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

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ANGELS vs. KANSAS CITY

- Gabe Lacques