Salmon Struggles to Make an Impact

That four-year, $40-million contract extension Tim Salmon signed in spring training isn’t an albatross around his neck, but it’s hard to get off his mind when he’s batting .216 overall and .065 (2 for 31) with runners in scoring position.

“I wouldn’t say I’m pressing because of the contract, but I wouldn’t be honest if I said I wasn’t thinking about it,” Salmon said. “It’s a sense of pride, looking at the way we’ve played as a group and wanting to be the guy you know you can be, in midseason form, right now.”

That pressure seems to intensify with runners in scoring position. The offense has struggled to score, and as the No. 3 batter, Salmon knows the team is counting on him to produce.

Making his job more difficult is the fact he hasn’t gotten much to hit. Salmon leads the team with 30 walks, 10 more than any other Angel, and 21 have come after Garret Anderson replaced Troy Glaus in the cleanup spot on April 24.

“When you get walked a few times, you start to get frustrated, especially when there’s that easy run at third base,” Salmon said. “You don’t get many opportunities, and all of a sudden you get out there in an RBI situation, and you’re all fired up, thinking this is it. Then you get so aggressive, you get yourself out.”

Reliever Mike Holtz was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 11, during Thursday night’s game because of an inflamed elbow. The left-hander, who hasn’t pitched since May 10, completed a bullpen workout Thursday but was only able to throw 75%.

“It started out OK, then I tired out,” Holtz said. “As I got to the end, it just wasn’t there. It still doesn’t feel right. It’s irritated.”

While the Angels took batting practice, Holtz was sent to a nearby clinic to be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum, team physician.

The Angels are carrying 12 pitchers and have two off days next week, so with less of a demand for arms, they called up infielder Jose Nieves on Thursday night.

Rookie Mark Lukasiewicz is the only other lefty in the Angel bullpen, but Manager Mike Scioscia could use right-hander Al Levine, who has limited left-handers to a .242 average this season, in Holtz’s spots.

Of the 12 pitches closer Troy Percival threw in the ninth inning Wednesday night, 10 were strikes. Several were sharp-breaking curves, one that Tony Batista looked at for a third strike and one that Vernon Wells swung at and missed to end the Angels’ 3-1 victory.

It has been years and several shoulder and elbow injuries since Percival has thrown the snap-hook that made him so effective in 1995 and ‘96, but he’s so confident in it now, he can throw it any time he wants.

“I may use it once an outing, and I may throw it 10 times,” said Percival, who has a 14 1/3-inning scoreless streak. “If I pinpoint the fastball, there may be days I don’t need the curve.”

Asked if his curve made him feel like a kid with a new toy, Percival said: “It’s more like a kid with an old toy that I really liked, one that had been in retirement for a while.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Cleveland Indians, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net tonight, Channel 9 Saturday night, ESPN Sunday night.

Radio--KLAC (570), KMXN (94.3 FM), KMPC (1540), XPRS (1090).

Records--Angels 19-21 , Indians 26-12.

Record vs. Indians--2-1.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

PAT RAPP

(1-3, 5.03 ERA)

vs.

INDIANS’

DAVE BURBA

(5-2, 5.60 ERA)

Update--Former Angel Chuck Finley will not pitch against his ex-teammates this weekend, but former Anaheim Katella High star Jaret Wright, who has been sidelined since undergoing shoulder surgery last August, will make his 2001 debut Saturday night. The Indians have won 15 of their last 19 games since April 26, outscoring opponents, 141-91, in that span, a pace they have needed to keep pace with Minnesota in the Central Division. Cleveland’s team batting average (.300) is 20 points higher than any other American League team. Juan Gonzalez (.364, 11 homers, 42 RBIs) and Marty Cordova (.400, eight homers, 29 RBIs) lead the offense.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Jarrod Washburn (2-4, 5.35) vs. Jaret Wright (2001 debut).

Sunday, 5 p.m.--Ismael Valdes (2-3, 4.03) vs. C.C. Sabathia (4-1, 3.62).

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.