ANGEL REPORT / ON DECK

ANGELS’ DENNIS SPRINGER (8-8, 5.26 ERA) vs. ROYALS’ KEVIN APPIER (8-12, 3.47 ERA)

* Opponent--Kansas City Royals, four games.

* Site--Anaheim Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports West Friday, Channel 11 Saturday.

* Radio--KTZN (710)

* Records--Angels 75-70, Royals 58-84.

* Record vs. Royals--4-3.

* Update--For the Angels to remain in contention, they need to start putting good pitching and hitting performances together on the same night. That means Springer must regain the touch on his knuckleball that helped him win three of four starts from July 28-Aug. 14, and the Angel offense must break out of an extended slump. The Royals fired Manager Bob Boone at the All- Star break and replaced him with Tony Muser, but they sank even deeper in the AL Central standings, going 8-19 in July and 11-18 in August. Kansas City designated hitter Chili Davis, a former Angel, is batting .295 with 29 homers and 86 RBIs, and Jeff King has 22 homers and 89 RBIs.

* Friday, 7 p.m.--Allen Watson (11-10, 5.05) vs. Jose Rosado (9-12, 4.41).

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Jason Dickson (13-7, 4.15) vs. Jim Pittsley (4-7, 5.74).

* Sunday, 1 p.m.--Ken Hill (7-12, 4.96) vs. Tim Belcher (12-12, 5.17).