Finley Lets His Feet Do All the Talking

Starter Chuck Finley was unavailable for comment after throwing 6 1/3 so-so innings against Oakland. An Angel public relations official said Finley left for home before the game ended, but did not say why.

Manager Terry Collins’ review of Finley’s performance, which included six runs (five earned) on six hits with 10 strikeouts and four walks, was mixed.

“We stayed with him as long as we could,” Collins said. “He didn’t give up a lot of hits, just big ones. A lot of times, a guy like Chuck Finley wants to contribute to the team so much that he tries too hard. He gave us as much as he had and, in my opinion, it was good enough.”

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The key to the Angels’ first four-game sweep since April 1996 against Detroit was quieting Oakland sluggers Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, Collins said.

“If you can keep those guys from hurting you, you’re got a good chance to beat them,” Collins said. “Mark just killed us in Oakland, just killed us.”

McGwire was six for 20 with two homers and three runs batted in during the teams’ first two games May 28-29 at Oakland.

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Left fielder Garret Anderson and catcher Jim Leyritz did not play because of flu. Collins hopes both can play tonight against Texas.

Collins planned to give third baseman Dave Hollins and utility player Tony Phillips the day off too, but both asked Collins if they could play.

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The Angels, who haven’t won a season series against Oakland since 1986, are 6-0 against the Athletics with six games to play.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Texas Rangers, three games.

* Site--The Ballpark, Arlington, Texas.

* Tonight--5:30.

* TV--Channel 9, tonight and Tuesday.

* Radio--KTZN (710).

* Records--Angels 38-34, Rangers 36-35.

* Record vs. Rangers--4-9 (1996).

ANGELS’ ALLEN WATSON (5-4, 6.07 ERA) vs. RANGERS’ DARREN OLIVER (3-8, 4.65)

* Update--Watson missed his last start Thursday because of flu. He makes his first start at the hitter-friendly Ballpark in Arlington. Watson has given up a staff-high 15 homers in 15 appearances (14 starts). Manager Terry Collins hopes Darin Erstad, nursing an injured left elbow, can play first base today. He played in the field Sunday for the first time since June 13. Collins also wants Jim Edmonds, slowed by thumb, knee and hamstring injures, in center field as often as possible for the Angels’ nine-game trip to Texas, Seattle and Colorado. Kevin Gross is the top candidate to start Wednesday. Collins said he will announce his starter today.

* Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.--Dennis Springer (4-2, 5.99) vs. Ken Hill (4-5, 4.01).

* Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.--Undecided vs. Bobby Witt (8-4, 4.06).