Angels better defensively

California Manager Gene Mauch says the biggest difference between this year and last year for the Angels has been on defense. ''Doug DeCinces has made some plays at third base for us that have been unbelievable,'' Mauch explained. ''Brian Downing has made himself into a far better outfielder than he was in 1981, and with Bob Boone behind the plate, our pitchers don't ever have to hold anything back.''

On another subject, if Angel outfielder Reggie Jackson were content simply to hit home runs, and not feel cheated if they didn't land 20 rows up in the stands , he could probably cut down on his high number of strikeouts.