ANGELS NOTEBOOK: LACK OF DEPTH HURT ANGELS IN STRETCH.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Though the Angels finished the 2001 season a team-record 41 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League West, they actually remained in the playoff race well into August. In fact, as late as Aug. 15 the Angels were only five games behind Oakland in the wild-card race.

Then they collapsed.

They lost 30 of their final 42 games, including 19 of their last 21, and finished 27 behind the wild-card-winning A's. Manager Mike Scioscia says the club is better equipped to meet the challenges of a pennant race this season.

``There were certain issues we know were huge contributors to that tough streak, most importantly the (lack of) depth of the club,'' he said. ''Our depth didn't afford us the possibility of giving guys days off as much as we would have liked.''

Then there was the competition. With the unbalanced schedule, the Angels found themselves up against the Mariners or A's in 13 of their final 19 games. Of the 13, the Angels won one.

``We struggled so much offensively against two premier teams in our division,'' Scioscia said. ''They took it to us. There are no excuses to be made. We have to be more productive to meet the challenges of a pennant race against good clubs.''

Their problems against the Mariners, A's and even the last-place Rangers stretched more than the final month of the season. The Angels were 17-41 against their division opponents but were above .500 against the AL East, AL Central and in interleague games.

--Hiatus for most: Except for Scott Schoeneweis, pitching in a minor-league camp game, the Angels were off Wednesday, their only off-day during spring training. Games on Monday and Tuesday left the Angels encouraged that the results were a sign of things to come.

Kevin Appier, acquired in the trade for Mo Vaughn, and Aaron Sele, signed as a free agent, pitched well in wins over the A's and Padres, respectively. Appier threw five scoreless innings, allowing two hits, against Oakland. Sele gave up one run and three hits in five innings against San Diego.

''The further you progress in spring training the more you're looking for rhythm and tempo, and being able to repeat pitches,'' Sele said. ''Now it's a matter of taking that rhythm and tempo to the next outing.''

Appier and Sele are scheduled to make two more starts before the start of the season.

--Rotation ready: Barring an injury, the Angels seem to have set up their rotation for their season-opening series against the Indians. Jarrod Washburn will make two more spring starts before getting the opening-day assignment on March 31. Appier will pitch in the second game of the series on April 2 and Sele gets the third game on April 3.

ANGELS vs. COLORADO

Time: 12:05 p.m., Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Radio: 570-AM.

Matchup: Jarrod Washburn (1-1, 6.23 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Colorado's Denny Neagle. ... Out since last Thursday with a sore stomach muscle, third baseman Troy Glaus is expected to return to the lineup today.

Wednesday's result: The Angels took their only day off of spring training.

- Joe Haakenson

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

TROY GLAUS

He expects to return to lineup today after missing week with sore stomach muscle

Box:

ANGELS vs. COLORADO (see text)