ANGELS NOTEBOOK: GREENE KNUCKLES DOWN WITH SPARKS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson

Steve Sparks has found a new partner. which is not easy for a knuckleball pitcher to do. Most catchers don't particularly enjoy spending a game flagging down fluttering pitches

Last season, Phil Nevin became Sparks' batterymate, but when Nevin was traded to the San Diego Padres just before the start of the season, Sparks was left with no one in particular to be his catcher. That has changed. Todd Greene has become Sparks' personal catcher, and with good reason.

In Sparks' first four starts, either Matt Walbeck or Charlie O'Brien caught him and he went 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA. In his past two starts with Greene behind the plate, Sparks is 1-0 with a 1.15 ERA.

``I think when you've got a catcher who has caught his whole life, it's more difficult to catch a knuckleball pitcher,'' said Greene, who was an outfielder in college. ``Converted catchers might have it easier because you're not so set in your ways and you allow the pitch to come to you.''

Greene caught Sparks on Wednesday and Sparks got his first victory of the year - eight innings, one run, three hits.

``He called a good game,'' Angels manager Terry Collins said.

``My rhythm's been a lot smoother because I've been throwing strikes,'' Sparks said of his past few starts. ``Obviously I give (Greene) a lot of credit because he's been doing a good job.''

Injury reports: Second baseman Randy Velarde was scratched from Thursday's game because of a stiff lower back. Velarde had started all of the Angels' first 28 games before Thursday.

Right fielder Tim Salmon, who sprained his left wrist last Monday, was sent to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for an MRI test. Results are expected to be released today.

ANGELS vs. BOSTON

Time: 4:05 p.m., at Fenway Park

TV/Radio: Channel 9; KLAC-AM (570), XPRS-AM (1090, Spanish)

Matchup: The Angels' Omar Olivares (3-2, 3.24 ERA) will be looking for his first career victory against the Red Sox. He is 0-2 lifetime against Boston with a 7.66 ERA. Mo Vaughn will return to face his ex-teammates and will have to bat against pitcher Pedro Martinez (5-1, 2.06), who leads the American League in victories, strikeouts (61) and innings pitched (43-2/3).

- Joe Haakenson

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BOX: ANGELS vs. BOSTON (See text)