ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SPARKS' KNUCKLEBALL ON TARGET.

Byline: Joe Haakenson

Going into Friday's game against the Angels, the Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa had nine hits this spring - all for extra bases (seven homers, two doubles). In his first at-bat Friday, Sosa got his first single - a one-hopper off the glove of shortstop Jeff Huson - in the Angels' 5-1 victory at HoHoKam Park.

That was the only hit Angels starter Steve Sparks allowed in six shutout innings of work, the longest outing by an Angels starter this spring. Sparks, who threw 88 pitches, retired the last 10 batters he faced, struck out five and walked one.

Knuckleballers usually have trouble in Arizona because the air is so light and dry, but Sparks has been successful - his ERA is 2.12.

``I just try to grade myself on throwing strikes,'' Sparks said. ``If I throw strikes and take the spin off it, the climate will take care of everything else. I want to keep it in the area code so guys will make a pass at it.''

Sparks has known all spring he'll be the No. 4 starter, but he doesn't want to take anything for granted.

``I was in the same situation with the Brewers in '96,'' Sparks said. ``I went out to get my work in, but I was not getting hitters out. I'm conscious of not making the same mistake this time. I want to have some momentum going into the season.''

Luke moved: The Angels returned outfielder Matt Luke to minor-league camp for rehabilitation purposes. Luke suffered a strained muscle in his back lifting weights in January and has been limited all spring. He was hitting .333 (3 for 9).

``He'd been shut down for the last few days and we just have not been able to give him a chance to see what he can do,'' Angels manager Terry Collins said. ``Like anybody, at this particular time in camp you have to be 100 percent and he wasn't going to be there.''

With Luke now out of the picture, one of the final available spots on the roster will be awarded to either Phil Nevin, Orlando Palmeiro or Chris Pritchett.

Finley update: Pitcher Chuck Finley, who will make his next start Sunday, will try to get in as much work as possible during the final two weeks of camp in order to be ready by the start of the season. But it seems unlikely he will be ready for his opening-day start.

Collins said Finley might remain in Arizona after the rest of the team breaks camp so that he can get in some extra work at the minor-league camp in Mesa. If Finley can't go by opening day, either Tim Belcher or Ken Hill will draw the assignment.

Omar Olivares has moved into the lead for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation over Jarrod Washburn and Jason Dickson, but the competition is far from complete. Olivares has to win the job by pitching well in the final two weeks of camp, even though he had an impressive 1998, going 9-9 with a 4.03 ERA in 37 games (26 starts).

``By now, they know what I can do,'' Olivares said. ``It's a little surprising after the year I had last year that I have to fight for a job, but if I let it bother me it'll affect my pitching and it'll be worse. The thing I do about it is I don't think about it. It's their headache.

ANGELS UPDATE

Friday's recap: The Angels beat the Cubs 5-1. Angels starter Steve Sparks pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only one hit - a single by Sammy Sosa.

Today's games (split squad): Giants at Angels, Tempe Diablo Stadium, 12:05 p.m. Jarrod Washburn vs. Jason Grilli; Angels at Giants, Scottsdale Stadium, 12:05 p.m. Omar Olivares vs. Mark Gardner.

TV/Radio: KLAC-AM (570) (from Tempe).

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