ANGELS SET THE STAGE; ANAHEIM RECLAIMS SHARE OF FIRST PLACE : ANGELS 3, SEATTLE 1.

Byline: Joe Haakenson

Manager Terry Collins got angry last week when he thought his Angels overlooked the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before heading into their series with the Texas Rangers.

Against the Seattle Mariners, Collins had no such concerns.

The Angels played the Mariners as though Texas didn't exist, winning 3-1 on Sunday night before a sellout crowd of 42,972 at Edison Field to take two of three in the series.

With the win, the Angels tied the Rangers at 83-72 for first place in the AL West. The two teams begin a three-game series tonight at Edison Field.

But before the Angels could turn their attention to Texas, there stood Ken Griffey Jr. and the rest of the Mariners.

It was only three years ago that the Mariners rallied from a 13-game deficit in early August to claim the division title. The Mariners also held off the Angels last season in the final month of the season to win the division.

``It was a very important series for us,'' Angels shortstop Gary DiSarcina said. ``Seattle's always been our nemesis. They've always blocked us from getting to the next level. They were playing to win. They have a lot of pride. They don't want to see anybody celebrating on their time.''

For the second night in a row, it took a solid outing from a starting pitcher, good defense, timely hitting and some clutch relief pitching to pull it off.

Omar Olivares (9-8) went six-plus innings and gave up only one run and eight hits to get the victory. The Angels scored all three of their runs in the third inning off losing pitcher Paul Abbott (1-2). Randy Velarde had a sacrifice fly, followed by RBI singles from Jim Edmonds and Tim Salmon.

For the second night in a row, Edmonds made a diving catch in center field.

Jarrod Washburn replaced Olivares with runners on second and third and nobody out in the seventh and escaped, allowing only a sacrifice fly to Griffey. He also struck out Edgar Martinez - just as Mike Holtz did one night earlier - by throwing a changeup by him for a called third strike.

Pep Harris and Troy Percival (42nd save) pitched the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to close it out.

It was only two days ago that the Angels had lost four in a row and had fallen two games behind the Rangers. But the Angels responded when they absolutely had to.

``I know I sound like a broken record,'' Salmon said. ``But how many times have we been written off? How many times have we been devastated by injuries? We've always come back. That's the way this team is.''

``We just keep stretching for more,'' Velarde said. ``We fight. We have a will to win. It all comes down to who wants it the most.''

Olivares set the tone Sunday, making his second consecutive solid start since replacing the erratic Jeff Juden in the rotation.

In the first inning, the Mariners loaded the bases with one out, but Olivares struck out Raul Ibanez and got Russ Davis to fly out.

In fact, the Mariners had at least one runner in scoring position in all but two innings against Olivares, who found a way out of trouble until the seventh.

``His ability to get ground balls gets him out of innings,'' Collins said. ``You've got to be careful about jumping the gun (and taking Olivares out). He made some pitches when he had to.''

Olivares also got some help from Griffey, who tried to bunt with runners on first and second and none out in the first, and popped out.

Ousted Suzuki tweaks Carew

An international baseball incident nearly broke out at Edison Field on Sunday when Angels hitting coach Rod Carew got bossy and Seattle pitcher Makoto Suzuki grew playful in response.

Suzuki ventured into the outfield to talk with fellow Japanese pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa during the Angels' afternoon workout, and Carew, who says the club discourages fraternization, sent a clubhouse attendant to order Suzuki off the field.

Upon reaching the Mariners' dugout, an angry Suzuki asked a reporter, ``Who is Rod Carew?''

Apprised of Carew's status as a Hall of Famer and Angels coach, Suzuki asked the writer to carry a message to Carew. ``Tell him I asked if he was the groundskeeper here,'' the pitcher said, grinning.

The chronically grumpy Carew was not amused. Told of Suzuki's remark, he said, ``Tell him he doesn't have enough time in the big leagues to be telling me anything. He hasn't done a thing.''

--- Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune

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Photo, Box

PHOTO Mariners' David Bell throws to first after forcing out Angel Orlando Palmeiro.

Victoria Arocho/Associated Press

BOX: Ousted Suzuki tweaks Carew (see text)