ANGELS NOTEBOOK: NO-FRILLS RAPP IMPRESSIVE.

Byline: Kevin Modesti Staff Writer

TUCSON, Ariz. - Pat Rapp, getting a sixth chance to make a first impression, is making a good one in spring training with the Angels.

The 33-year-old right-hander, who bounced among the Marlins, Giants, Royals, Red Sox and Orioles in the past four seasons before signing with the Angels as a free agent in December, went five efficient innings in a Cactus League loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

``What you see is what you get,'' said the Louisiana-born Rapp, introducing his no-frills style to a new set of fans. ``It ain't going to be nothin' special. I'm going to try to make every start. I try and stay out there as long as I can. Hopefully, I'll be around to get the decision.''

Usually, Rapp likes to work hitters deep into counts, he said, ``because I don't want to give them nothin' over the plate.''

But in his third spring start he got through five innings - the longest outing by an Angel so far - using just 62 pitches and recording three 1-2-3 innings. Some shaky outfield play and a two-run Steve Finley homer cost Rapp a 4-1 defeat in a game that took only 2 hours, 8 minutes.

``A couple of pitches got away from him,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``Other than that, he was awesome. He had a good changeup, a great hook.''

Rapp is trying to build his confidence in throwing changeups to right- handed batters. The Diamondbacks' Matt Williams hit one change for a long fly ball. Left-handed Mark Grace struck out on a change, one of four Rapp strikeouts.

``The (strong-hitting) American League has slowly changed my mind (about expanding his repertoire),'' Rapp said. ``You've gotta have more than two pitches in this league.''

Rapp, who has a 65-79 record in nine seasons, figures to land somewhere in the middle of the Angels rotation. He's 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA this spring.

--Midterm: Halfway through the spring schedule, the Angels are 7-8-1. But their top five starting pitchers have a pleasantly surprising 3.15 ERA.

``All the guys competing for spots are stepping up,'' Scioscia said. ``That's got to be good for us.''

Ramon Ortiz risks his 0.00 ERA when he faces the Oakland Athletics in Tempe this afternoon (12:05 p.m., KLAC-570, XPRS-1090). Brian Cooper makes his first spring start in a split-squad game against the Seattle Mariners tonight in Peoria.

--First things: Wally Joyner (.414, with a team-high 12 hits) peppered right field Wednesday with two singles and a double. And, after Joyner came out, Larry Barnes (.303) kept it going with a single. The two men are battling with Scott Spiezio for the first-base job.

``(Joyner) is driving the ball better than he has in a long time,'' Scioscia said of the 38-year-old.

Scioscia indicated he thinks it will be a final-day-of-spring decision that could hinge on what offensive ingredients are missing at that time because of injuries at other positions.

--Speaking of injuries: Jose Canseco (back, hamstring) missed his sixth game in a row. Tim Salmon (abdominal strain) missed his fifth but took batting practice in Tempe and is expected to play this weekend.