ANGELS STUMBLE TO LOSS; INJURIES, ERRORS FORM VOLATILE MIX AGAINST TWINS : MINNESOTA 9, ANGELS 1.

Byline: Joe Haakenson San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Sunday was one of those days the Angels probably should have just stayed in bed.

Even before playing a game against the Minnesota Twins, the Angels placed starting pitcher Allen Watson on the disabled list and learned that catcher Todd Greene, who is rehabilitating from shoulder surgery, had suffered a setback.

Then Chuck Finley, who has been fighting an illness all weekend, was sent out to the mound, and the Angels were soundly beaten 9-1 by the Twins before 24,728 at Edison Field.

Finley, though he got the loss and fell to 4-2, got no help from his offense, defense or bullpen in this one. Finley allowed four runs in 6-2/3 innings, but only one run was earned.

The game was tied 1-1 going into the seventh inning when Angels third baseman Dave Hollins made two errors, leading to two unearned runs. The Twins scored three in the inning and knocked Finley out of the game.

The Angels offense had no answers for Twins starter Brad Radke (6-3), who went seven innings and gave up only one run and three hits. And the Angels bullpen let things get out of hand after Finley left. Pep Harris, Mike Holtz and Jason Dickson combined to yield five runs and six hits in 2-1/3 innings.

When it was finally over, the Angels had lost two of three from the Twins and missed a rare chance to pick up ground on the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, who lost Sunday.

``We've got to learn to battle through the bad news, the injuries,'' Angels manager Terry Collins said. ``I've said many times, you can't control anything but yourself. You can't control what goes on around you.

``It's all part of the business. If everything was rosy every day, you wouldn't have anything to complain about. You've got to get angry once in a while to get the adrenaline up.''

Though Collins continues to preach a fighting spirit through tough times, he admitted the difficulties might be taking a toll.

``You can feel the frustration here,'' he said. ``You guys can see it when you come in here, you can see it on their faces. But if you ever walk into my office and hear me complain about injuries . . .

``This is what we've got. If it's not good enough, we've got to change it. But I believe we're good enough.''

All the trouble started in the seventh inning when Minnesota had a runner at first with one out. Denny Hocking hit a grounder to Hollins at third, but his throw was wide, giving the Twins runners on first and second.

They tried a double steal, and catcher Matt Walbeck's throw to third was perfect. However, Jon Shave's slide knocked the ball out of Hollins' glove for the third baseman's second error of the inning.

Trade rumblings: Sources close to the Angels said the club is listening to offers for Hollins and center fielder Jim Edmonds.

Though the Angels have Troy Glaus, the club's No. 1 pick in the 1997 draft, tearing up the Texas League for Double-A Midland (.315, 19 homers, 51 RBI), the Angels likely would not promote the former UCLA star immediately. The club would like to get another third baseman if it deals Hollins. The Angels are believed to be interested in St. Louis' John Mabry, 27, who can play third base, first and the outfield.

According to a source close to the New York Mets, the Angels were offered a package of players for Edmonds. However, with Tim Salmon limited to designated-hitter duty, the Angels are not as deep in the outfield as they once were.

Roster move: Watson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left elbow. Recalled from Triple-A Vancouver was Frank Bolick, who was in the lineup Sunday as DH.