ANGELS REPORT

Left-hander Jim Abbott, attempting a comeback after sitting out the 1997 season, was promoted to Chicago’s triple-A Calgary team. He was scheduled to start tonight. Abbott, 30, is 4-4 with a 5.21 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 13 starts for Class-A Hickory, Class-A Winston-Salem and double-A Birmingham.

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When a reporter pointed out that he had been swinging the bat pretty well lately, Tim Salmon flashed a bemused smile.

“Wasn’t it just the other day that I was stuck in an 0-for-14 slump?” asked Salmon, who has seven hits in the last two games. “I don’t know, I haven’t had the consistency I’d like. I haven’t felt like I’ve contributed day in and day out.”

He certainly did his share during the recently concluded home stand, batting .375 and driving in 11 runs in nine games.