SNOW HAUNTS EX-TEAMMATES : SAN FRAN. 4, ANGELS 1.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

Before Sunday's matinee show, J.T. Snow told his new comrades that the ball carries well during Anaheim Stadium day games.

The ex-Angel later proved his theory by hitting a two-run, fourth-inning homer as the San Francisco Giants beat the Angels 4-1 in front of 30,404 at Anaheim Stadium.

Snow, who played for the Angels from 1993-96, was dealt in an offseason trade for pitchers Allen Watson and Fausto Macey. During the two-game series with Anaheim, the first baseman was 3 for 8, had three RBI and hit a 366-foot homer off a Jason Dickson changeup.

``(The home run) was nice, I won't lie,'' Snow said. ``It wasn't what I was trying to do right there, I was just trying to hit it hard. I was telling the guys before the game that this park during the day can be awfully friendly.

``I don't have any regrets (about the trade). I wasn't trying to shove it in their faces.''

The Angels' third straight loss equaled their longest home losing streak of the season and dropped them 3-1/2 games behind Seattle in the divisional race.

Entering Sunday's game, the Angels had averaged six runs and 14 hits per game in three interleague contests on the homestand. But on this day, the home team had seven hits and was 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

``We had continued missed opportunities,'' Angels manager Terry Collins said.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth, Giants starter William VanLandingham walked Orlando Palmiero with the bases loaded and scored Jim Leyritz for the Angels' only run.

After four innings, VanLandingham (4-4) had already thrown 100 pitches and walked seven of a career-high eight batters. But in five innings the right-hander took the victory and allowed just one run on two hits while reliever Rod Beck earned his 21st save.

Dickson (8-3), the Angels' starter, struck out a career-high eight batters, but ended a two-game winning streak with a respectable outing after allowing three runs and 10 hits.

``It was a little bit frustrating,'' Dickson said. ``I felt pretty good (Sunday). I thought everything was working for me. I gave up three runs. It wasn't really the game I was looking for, but it wasn't really a lot (of runs) either.''

After the game, the Angels announced that first baseman Darin Ertad was diagnosed by team physician Lewis Yocum with an irritation in his left elbow's ulnar nerve. Erstad will receive an MRI and an EMG (nerve test) on Monday at Inglewood's Centinela Hospital.

The Angels' stolen base leader (12), who is batting .302 with seven homers, has had problems with the elbow since spring training. But it has been worse of late as he was hampered with numbness in the two fingers farthest from his left thumb.

``I don't know if I want to find out or not,'' said Erstad, 23. ``But something is not right so I need to find out what is going on.''

Collins said, ``It is very much of a concern. He is one of our top players.''

Angels reliever Rich DeLucia will join Erstad at the hospital and have an MRI on his tendinitis-stricken right elbow. Also, designated hitter Eddie Murray was given a cortisone shot in his right wrist to aid his tendinitis and he will be available to play Wednesday against the host Dodgers.

Notes: Collins said that Triple-A Vancouver pitcher Kevin Gross may be called up to the Angels this week. On Sunday, Gross, an ex-Dodger, had an impressive outing at Edmonton by striking out four and allowing just one run, four hits and no walks in seven innings. Although Angels pitcher Matt Perisho is expected to be in the bullpen Tuesday and Wednesday against the host Dodgers, he will likely be sent to Vancouver if Gross is brought up. . . . The Angels announced that pitcher Dennis Springer (4-2) will take the mound on Wednesday while the Dodgers counter with Hideo Nomo (6-6). . . . Tony Phillips was ejected in the eighth inning for debating a called third strike. . . . The Giants' Barry Bonds was intentionally walked three times.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Giants first baseman J.T. Snow prepares to tag out the Angels' Jim Edmonds on a close play.

(2) With Stan Javier, the Giants' J.T. Snow enjoys a two-run homer in the fourth inning off his former teammates.

Tina Gerson / Daily News