ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SANTANA'S GROUP GETS EJECTED.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

NEW YORK - After beating the Yankees, 4-1, at Yankee Stadium on Friday night Angels pitcher Ervin Santana appeared to be more dejected than delighted. As it turns out, Santana's brother, Jose Ramon Santana, cousin Pabel Rodriguez, and two other friends were ejected from the stadium in the sixth inning after traveling from the Dominican Republic to see Santana pitch in a major-league game for the first time.

The quartet sat in the lower level behind home plate, cheering Santana every time he went to the mound. They chanted his nickname, ``El Meneo,'' and waved a Dominican flag. Santana didn't know if there was an altercation with other fans, but apparently they were ejected for being too exuberant and annoying surrounding fans.

--No Nevin: The Angels reportedly looked into trading for Phil Nevin before the San Diego first baseman was traded from the Padres to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Chan Ho Park. Nevin vetoed a proposed trade to the Orioles for pitcher Sydney Ponson because he didn't want to leave his home and family in Southern California, but HE certainly would have approved a trade to the Angels, for whom he played earlier in his career.

The Padres were searching of a starting pitcher, something the Angels were unwilling to give up.

--Diminishing returns: Shortstop Orlando Cabrera certainly hasn't been the only Angel struggling at the plate, but the Angels expected much more than the .243, four homers and 27 RBI they've received after signing him to a four-year, $32 million contract.

In an effort to change Cabrera's approach at the plate, Scioscia has put him in the No. 2 spot in the batting order the past two games.

The move paid off Sunday when Cabrera singled home the tying and go-ahead runs in the seventh inning.

--Roster moves: The Angels called up pitcher Chris Bootcheck from Triple-A Salt Lake to start today's game. To make room on the roster, reliever Jake Woods was optioned to Salt Lake.