ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ROOKIE PAYING HIS DUES.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA  Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- If Joe Saunders can remember just two things, his major- league career looks promising.

Saunders' first order of business is to slow down his delivery, something that plagued him in his only bad start with the Angels this season. And if he can remember to pay for his hotel incidentals, life would be a little easier.

Saunders calls himself a little absent-minded sometimes, which led to him leaving his hotel once last season without paying for his phone calls and room service. He had to call the hotel and read his credit-card number to get matters settled.

He also pays the price when he flies open on his delivery. It happened Aug. 16 at Texas when Saunders walked five batters, gave up five hits and allowed seven earned runs, all in just 2 2/3 innings.

``Me and (pitching coach Bud Black) had been working on some drills in the bullpen with me staying over the rubber a little longer and staying back to let my arm catch up,'' Saunders said. ``That's been my nemesis my whole career is rushing with my arm trailing and then I leave it up and outside to right-handed hitters.''

He remedied it enough in his last start Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox that he gave up no earned runs in 5 2/3 innings, although he did have three more walks.

Staying in the strike zone will be a key today when Saunders faces the New York Yankees, who are known for their maddening patience at the plate.

Saunders defeated the Yankees on Aug. 11 at Yankee Stadium, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings.

It was Saunders' fourth victory in his first four starts this season, but hasn't had another victory in his two starts since. But he enters this start with a 3.06 ERA and is getting a chance that he hoped to get out of spring training.

``I looked when they acquired Jeff Weaver and I was kind of discouraged about that,'' Saunders said. ``When I went into spring training I kind of knew the only way to make the team was if one of those guys got hurt. I don't wish injuries on anybody but (Bartolo Colon) went down so I'm in his spot and I'm just trying to make the most of it.''

Early return for Cabrera: Orlando Cabrera returned to the lineup a day earlier than expected. Cabrera did not start Friday after he was hit by a pitch Thursday in the right index finger, cracking his fingernail. He did pinch-hit Friday and had a key sacrifice fly that tied the score 5-5 in the seventh inning. Cabrera went 2 for 3 Saturday with two doubles.