Springer’s First Win Is No Illusion : Angels: With support from Salmon, who has homer and two RBIs, right-hander defeats Yankees, 4-2.

He sure looked like the same guy. He had the same physical characteristics. Same facial features. He was even celebrating along with everyone else in the Angel clubhouse, acting as if he belonged.

Whoever it was wearing Russ Springer’s uniform Saturday night shut down the New York Yankees just long enough to obtain Springer’s first major league victory, providing the Angels with a 4-2 decision.

Whether it really was an impostor, or the Angels will keep us believing that it was Springer on the mound, the crowd of 31,579 at Anaheim Stadium witnessed a genuine rarity.

It wasn’t enough just seeing Springer pitch his finest game of the season against his former teammates. Or that the victory lifted the Angels (42-43) to within two games of first place. This was actually a victory produced by a starter other than Mark Langston or Chuck Finley.

It was only the second time since May 28 that a starter other than Langston or Finley won a game, and considering the Angels’ woes in the rotation, who could blame the Angels for acting giddy?

The Angels had gone the entire first half with a 6-17 record and 7.00 earned-run average from the fourth and fifth starters in the rotation, and here they are, on the eve of the All-Star break, still in serious contention in the American League West.

“The first month after the All-Star break will be important to us,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said, “to see if the second-line pitching will be back where it’s supposed to be. I don’t expect all five (starters) to come out smoking. I’m more realistic than that.

“But I don’t think these guys will back up.

“I know for damn sure we’re not a flash in the pan.”

Springer, the lone starting pitcher acquired in the Jim Abbott trade, showed the Yankees that they gave up more than just first baseman J.T. Snow. Springer entered the game with an 0-3 record and 7.24 ERA, and departed knowing that he’s a big league pitcher.

“This is something I’ll never forget,” Springer said. “I have nothing but the greatest respect for the Yankees, but it just means so much to have this first win.”

The Yankees didn’t know what hit them during the first four innings. The only hit Springer yielded during that time was a ground-rule double by Danny Tartabull--and he twice struck out Wade Boggs--but he began to tire in the sixth.

Springer, who gave up six hits, left with a 3-2 lead in the sixth, with one out and runners on first and second. Paul O’Neill greeted reliever Ken Patterson with a single to shallow left, but Yankee third base coach Clete Boyer waved Don Mattingly home. Polonia’s throw was perfect, and Mattingly was out by five feet.

Mike Butcher came in and preserved Springer’s lead by retiring pinch-hitter Mike Stanley on a fly to center, and the Yankees didn’t score again, with Steve Frey pitching the final two innings for his career-high 10th save.

Angel rookie right fielder Tim Salmon once again made it all possible with his offensive exploits, driving in two runs with a double and his 17th homer. Third baseman Rene Gonzales produced his first three-hit game of the season. And shortstop Gary DiSarcina executed a perfect suicide squeeze for an insurance run in the eighth inning.

Yet on this night, the victory belonged to a trio of Angels who belonged to the Yankee organization a year ago:

Springer, calling it the greatest night of his career, was doused with beer by his teammates after the game, leaving him shivering during postgame interviews.

Snow, who was summoned into Rodgers’ office before the game for a private meeting on his swoon since late April, slapped a second-inning double. It was his first extra-base hit in 10 days, nudging his batting average to .187 since April 24, and .233 overall.

Second baseman Torey Lovullo, who was allowed to leave as a minor league free agent in the Yankee system, added to the cause with his second-inning single.

“We all enjoyed this one,” Snow said. “It’s not to rub it in the Yankees’ face or anything like that, but for him to get his first win against the Yankees, is an awesome feeling for all of us.”