ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SCIOSCIA: SELE STAYS IN ROTATION.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Aaron Sele's spot in the starting rotation is safe for now, even though the veteran right-hander, who is making $8 million this season, is struggling to find consistency after offseason shoulder surgery.

Sele, whose contract runs out after the 2004 season, went 8-9 with a 4.89 ERA a year ago while trying to pitch through shoulder problems. Surgery fixed the problem and he is healthy now, but often pitchers need a full season to regain command of their pitches and strength in the shoulder.

As the Angels hover around the .500 mark and Seattle holds a comfortable lead in the American League West, it would seem the Angels can't afford to be patient much longer with a pitcher like Sele, whose inconsistency is evident in his numbers: He is 3-4 with a 7.22 ERA and has failed to last four innings in three of his seven starts. Opposing batters are hitting .316 off him.

Reliever Scot Shields would be a candidate to replace Sele if the Angels decided to stay in-house. Free agent Chuck Finley would be an option outside the organization. But for now, the Angels seem willing to stick with Sele.

``His stuff is better than any time last year,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``It's in Aaron, he will continue to get stronger. Right now we're looking for him to keep us in games and help us win. I'm sure he'll get stronger.''

--Memories: Scioscia hit 70 home runs in his major-league career, 68 in the regular season and two in the postseason. One of the postseason homers won't be forgotten by New York Mets fans who witnessed Scioscia take Dwight Gooden deep to help the Dodgers rally for a victory in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series in 1988 on their way to a World Series victory.

``That home run ball's still going,'' Scioscia said. ``We play catch with it and throw it off the wall. It's all scuffed up.

``What I remember about that home run was the place (Shea Stadium) was all excited because they were about to wrap up the game and take a 3-1 (series) lead. When I hit it the place got so quiet I could hear my spikes crunching into the ground. It was eerie.''

--Also: Mets first-base coach Gary Pettis, a former Angel, was hit on the head by an errant throw as the Angels were warming up for the top of the second inning. Pettis was treated for a bump on the head but was OK. ... With a day game today, catcher Bengie Molina got Saturday night off. Brother Jose received the start in his place. ... Including Saturday's game, the Angels are 7-4 against the National League in interleague games this season and 60-55 overall since interleague play began in 1997. ... Angels center fielder Darin Erstad originally was drafted by the Mets in the 13th round out of high school but went to the University of Nebraska instead.

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- Joe Haakenson