BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Snow’s Errorless Streak Ends

Rookie first baseman J.T. Snow produced his first three-hit game, but he says what he will remember is his error in the third inning of the Angels’ 12-7 defeat to Seattle.

It was the first error of Snow’s major league career, ending a streak of 63 consecutive errorless games.

“It’s disappointing,” Snow said, “because I was really hoping I could go a long time without making one. It was good that I could prove I could separate the offense from the defense, and show maturity by not letting (the hitting slump) bring down my defense.

“I just wish it didn’t have to happen this way.”

The error occurred when pitcher Julio Valera fielded a grounder and threw wildly to first base. Snow prevented the throw from going into right field, and while lying on the ground, slapped the first-base bag with his glove.

First-base umpire Jim Evans initially called Valle out, but when Snow rolled over, the ball trickled out, and Evans called Valle safe. Evans ruled that Snow did not have control of the ball.

“I still think he was out,” Snow said.

Snow was the last Angel everyday player to make an error this season.

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Catcher Larry Gonzales, whose contract was purchased Thursday by the Angels to replace catcher John Orton on the roster, will always be remembered in his hometown of West Covina as the kid who twice led his Pony League team to the World Series. He is the only member of that Pony League team ever to make it to the major leagues.

“This has been the greatest,” said Gonzales, 26, who also was on the 1987 Pan Am championship team. “There’s no feeling like it except for the day I got married. Everyone’s going pretty crazy in my hometown.”

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The Angels are scheduled to begin contract negotiations today with Brian Anderson, their No. 1 pick in the June free-agent draft. . . . Sam Suplizio, Angel minor league coach, will manage the U.S. team in the Rotterdam World Port Tournament in Holland later this month. Former Angel pitcher Bert Blyleven has agreed to pitch for the team, which will be made up primarily of lower-level minor league players.