Wise Makes Long Trip Worthwhile for Father

By MIKE DiGIOVANNA

Aug. 21, 2000 12 AM PT

NEW YORK — To the Yankees, Sunday was Whitey Ford Day, a day to ply the former pitching great with a wide array of gifts, including two cars, trips to the Bahamas and Hawaii, golf clubs and a big-screen television.

To Angel right-hander Matt Wise, it was Father-Son Day, a day for Wise to give his dad an even more precious gift--the memory of watching his son win a game in baseball’s most-hallowed grounds.

Wise’s father, Larry, flew from California to New York and witnessed another quality start by his son, who gave up three runs on six hits in six innings, striking out four and walking three in a 5-4 Angel win.

“It was a lot of fun, but it was probably more fun for him,” Wise said. “He might have had a heart attack, though. I’ll have to check.”

Wise’s performance was a carbon copy of his last two starts against Boston and Toronto--he has given up three runs and gone six innings or more in all three games.

“Every start has almost been cloned,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “He throws strikes, gets ahead, changes speeds and doesn’t get scared.”

Like most rookies visiting Yankee Stadium for the first time, Wise made the tour of Monument Park Thursday, soaking in the tradition. Unlike many rookies, he was not overwhelmed by the place.

“Sometimes guys try to do too much once they’re in the big leagues, but I didn’t have success in double-A or triple-A when I tried too hard,” Wise said. “When I throw harder, I get hit harder, so I just tried to keep it simple, throw strikes and let them hit the ball.”

Angel first baseman Mo Vaughn cringed when he saw the headline in Sunday’s New York Post: “California Mo is N.Y. Dreamin’ and Wants to be a Yank.”

According to the story, Vaughn, who grew up in Norwalk, Conn., about 45 minutes away from New York, craves the opportunity to play for the Yankees. “If I get a chance to come over here I’d be far too excited,” Vaughn was quoted as saying.

Vaughn, in the second year of a six-year, $80-million contract, seemed exasperated by the article.

“Every time I come here they always ask me about coming back to play in New York,” Vaughn said. “It wasn’t meant at all to say I didn’t like it [in Anaheim]. Understand, I’m happy where I am. This is an up-and-coming team, and I want to be a part of it. The Angels have taken care of me.”

Outfielder Darin Erstad, who was pulled from Saturday’s game because of a spasm in his left rib cage, sat out Sunday’s game and will probably miss tonight’s game against the Red Sox. But he believes he’s making progress toward a quick recovery.

“Compared to Saturday, I feel great,” Erstad said Sunday. “It wasn’t worse when I woke up, which is an encouraging sign.”

Closer Troy Percival, sidelined since Aug. 5 because of neuritis--or inflammation--in his right elbow, will make a rehabilitation start for Class-A Lake Elsinore Tuesday. The Angels will determine after Tuesday what Percival’s next step is, but if it goes well, he could be activated later this week.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Boston Red Sox, three games.

* Site--Fenway Park, Boston.

* Today--4 p.m.

* TV--Channel 9 today and Tuesday.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 64-60, Red Sox 64-56.

* Record vs. Red Sox--4-2.

TODAY

ANGELS’ SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

(6-6, 5.01 ERA)

vs.

RED SOX’S ROLANDO ARROJO

(2- 1, 4.32 ERA)

* Update--The Angels overcame deficits of five runs Friday night and three runs Sunday to forge a split of a four-game series in New York and are 3-3 on their nine-game trip through Toronto, New York and Boston. The Red Sox had won eight of 10 entering Sunday night’s game against the Rangers and are in the thick of the American League East and wild-card races. Nomar Garciaparra is batting .374 with 18 homers and 74 RBIs, and Carl Everett is batting .309 with 29 homers and 87 RBIs to lead Boston. The Red Sox have the league’s lowest team earned-run average (4.08), but the Angels have to feel good about not having to face ace Pedro Martinez in this series.

* Tuesday, 4 p.m.--Kent Mercker (0-2, 5.17) vs. Tim Wakefield (6-7, 5.03).

* Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Ramon Ortiz (4-3, 5.58) vs. Tomo Ohka (2-2, 3.38).