For the second straight game, Darin Erstad was in the Angels' lineup at first base. He was not going to let his strained left hamstring keep him from playing in the three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Not when there is so much at stake. Not when he can still run some. Not with time running out.

He went 0 for 3 with a strikeout Monday night. Though he showed some range and agility on a few plays at first base, he still is not in the best of shape.

"I don't think it got any worse," Erstad said. "I couldn't say it's better."

Hitting is the biggest problem Erstad faces. That's when he has to use his legs, and that's what he can't do. Running also is a concern.

"I'm hardly coming out of the (batter's) box," Erstad said. "When you hit, you've got to spin (your leg around). That's the problem."

When he does hit the ball on the ground, Erstad has to take it easy. There's probably no chance of him beating out an infield single.

"I can't run," Erstad said. "There are some things I have to concede."

Angels manager Terry Collins said he's concerned every time Erstad runs.

But Collins said he can't wait any longer. He said he'll just have faith in Erstad to do things the right way.

"I'm not worried that he's not going to beat out an infield hit," Collins said. "My deal is, if he's at second base, can he score from there? Yes, he can."

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The arm is fine. So health wasn't the reason Collins yanked right-hander Ken Hill from Friday night's game after 3 2/3 innings.

The problem was with Hill's pitching. Basically, it was horrible.

"We tried to make adjustments with his delivery to make him comfortable with his elbow," Collins said. "He got out of synch."

Collins said they had Hill pitching from the stretch to take some of the pressure off his right elbow. It didn't work.

In fact, Hill told Collins he felt uncomfortable.

Collins will put Hill back on the mound tonight to close out the Rangers series.

`He'll go back to his windup, grind it out, let it go," Collins said. "We'll worry about what happens in five days in five days. I know one thing: Tomorrow night, Kenny Hill is ready."

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When Collins reflects on this season, he said he'll see an Angels team that never gave up.

And whether the Angels make it to the postseason, Collins said the 1998 Angels team has overcome more than any he has managed.

"This team has done more and accomplished more through tougher situations than any team I've ever been around," Collins said. "I don't think I could ever be around a team that makes the most out of the way they have played."

Published 9/23/1998