ANGELS NOTEBOOK: RAPP'S RESPONSE HELPS SAVE BULLPEN.

Byline: Frank Welch  Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Although the numbers and his own admitted struggles would beg to differ, Angels starting pitcher Pat Rapp did his job effectively against the Dodgers during his team's eventual 6-4 victory Sunday at Edison Field.

True, Rapp gave up four runs on five hits with four walks over six sometimes-painful innings.

But also true is the fact that Rapp settled down after a four-run Los Angeles second inning and was able to keep Anaheim within striking distance.

``I got to the point where I was trying to throw too hard,'' said Rapp, who remains 1-7 after a no-decision Sunday. ``After the second (inning), I just went out and tried to stay within myself. That helped me put the ball where I wanted to, and I was able to give them six innings.

``Despite the fact I was behind in the count, especially early, it was really just one bad pitch (a 3-1 pitch that Dodger Paul Lo Duca hit for a three-run homer in the second) that cost me. It (the pitch to Lo Duca) was deck high. I guess he didn't want a walk, because I was giving him a free one.''

Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia, who watched his club win its second consecutive game in its final at-bat, was close to pulling Rapp early. However, Scioscia chose not to burn additional and precious bullpen innings.

The club does have today off, but they begin a road trip Tuesday at Texas. Scioscia kept in mind that Arlington in June and a consistently potent Texas offense can often spell long-term trouble to a bullpen.

With that in mind, Mike Holtz, Ben Weber and winning pitcher Al Levine each provided a scoreless inning of relief to keep the Angels' deficit in check.

``Pat was really struggling early,'' Scioscia said. ``Today, he did a 180-degree turn from what had made him successful. But then, he straightened it out and got back into it. He settled down and finished strong.''

--Getting to Shaw: Scioscia and his club took two of three games from the Dodgers here and in Los Angeles last weekend.

In two of the Dodgers' losses, L.A. closer Jeff Shaw blew ninth-inning leads in the final games of both series.

``Jeff Shaw is a great closer, there is no question about that,'' Scioscia said. ``You don't see him blow two saves before the All-Star break, let alone two saves in a week.

``And for us to get to him is an indication of our guys battling. I have to give our club credit for that.''

--Barnes noble in first effort: Larry Barnes started his second consecutive game at first base for the Angels. He was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday when veteran first baseman Wally Joyner retired.

Barnes' first stay with the club lasted three days - and it included a home run off Texas' Jeff Brantley on April 12. He was 0 for 4 Saturday and 1 for 4 on Sunday with a single in his final at-bat.

``It's going to take him some time to adjust, you allow all the young guys that,'' Scioscia said.

Barnes did appear at times overmatched against L.A. pitchers. But that doesn't concern Scioscia.

``The best of the best look bad sometimes. But then when a pitcher makes a mistake, the hitter is all over it. Remember, this is a game where you're doing just fine if you fail seven out of 10 times as a hitter.''

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Angels manager Mike Scioscia was pleased with the way Pat Rapp was able to settle down Sunday against the Dodgers.

Chris Urso/Associated Press