ANGELS REPORT : Edmonds a Bit Envious of Red Sox and Fans

Fenway Park is known for its charm, its tradition and its many quirks, but one thing visiting players also notice is that Red Sox fans cheer at just the right times, with considerable fervor, and without the aid of a video board imploring them to make noise.

“It’s nice to be in an area where people appreciate the way the game is played,” Angel center fielder Jim Edmonds said. “I don’t think people realize the impact fans can have on the game. You hear all that noise, you want to be the guy who makes them cheer. It’s fantastic.”

Edmonds said he could sense the Red Sox gaining momentum in the late innings Friday night, when Troy O’Leary’s two-run double in the eighth gave them a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Angels, and the eighth inning Saturday, when Jose Offerman’s RBI double broke a 6-6 tie.

“Stuff like that in a park like this doesn’t surprise me because of these fans and the fact you have a team that doesn’t quit,” Edmonds said. “Unfortunately for us, it has happened too much.”

*

Designated hitter Mo Vaughn, the former Red Sox star, showed no envy over the weekend, repeatedly saying he was happy to see Boston contending for a wild-card berth without him. After singling in the ninth inning Sunday, Vaughn had an animated conversation with Red Sox first baseman Brian Daubach, who has helped fill Vaughn’s shoes by hitting .317 with 19 homers and 70 RBIs this season. “He told me to keep it going, he wished us luck,” Daubach said. “What a great guy.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Cleveland Indians, four games.

* Site--Jacobs Field, Cleveland.

* Today--4 p.m.

* Record vs. Indians--1-5.

* TV--Channel 9 today, Tuesday and Thursday.

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

* Records--Angels 51-78, Indians 79-50.

TODAY

ANGELS’ RAMON ORTIZ (1-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. INDIANS’ BARTOLO COLON (14-4, 4.04 ERA)

* Update-- The Angels are 10-33 since the All-Star break, losing 20 1/2 games in the standings in 6 1/2 weeks.

* Tuesday, 4 p.m.--Chuck Finley (8-11, 4.88) vs. Dwight Gooden (3-3, 5.81).

* Wednesday, 4 p.m.--Jarrod Washburn (0-2, 7.23) vs. Dave Burba (11-7, 4.44).

* Thursday, 4 p.m.--Steve Sparks (5-10, 5.09) vs. Charles Nagy (14-9, 4.73).