BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Percival Learns as He Throws

Troy Percival, who started Saturday night’s game tied with Philadelphia’s Ricky Bottalico for the major league lead with 11 saves after picking up his third in as many days Friday night, is learning the nuances of this closer gig on the fly.

“My arm didn’t hurt, but I just didn’t have as much juice as usual,” he said.

So Percival, 26, a right-hander who comes into the game with Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” blaring over the public-address system, is starting to mix in more curveballs with those mid-90 mph fastballs, especially when his arm is tired.

“You’re going to see more and more of them when I’m working without much rest,” he said. “They just make the fastball that much more effective.”

Before Saturday, Percival had struck out 18, walked one and retired 19 in a row since giving up a hit April 20. Almost every batter who faces him seems overmatched when trying to catch up with his fastball, but Manager Marcel Lachemann isn’t worried about Percival getting beaten on a curveball.

“It’s not like it’s a garbage pitch,” Lachemann said. “It’s a way-above-average curveball and the more he works it in, the better he will be.”

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At 6:50 p.m. Saturday, J.T. Snow was making like Don Mattingly, accepting his first Gold Glove award in a pregame ceremony. Fifteen minutes later, he was making like another of New York’s favorite first baseman . . . Bill Buckner.

The Twins’ second batter of the game, Denny Hocking, hit a routine grounder that rolled between Snow’s legs and into right field.

Last season, Snow made four errors in 1,222 chances.

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Rookie George Arias got the night off Saturday to concentrate on working with hitting instructor Rod Carew. Arias continues to play steady and sometimes spectacular defense, but his average has dropped to .189 and he’s on the verge of a trip to the minors. . . . Second baseman Randy Velarde, suffering from ear infections that have affected his equilibrium, took batting practice and ran in the outfield Saturday. “He probably could’ve gone tonight,” Lachemann said, “but if your balance is messed up, it can be kind of dangerous.” . . . Damion Easley, on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, played in a four-game series at Phoenix with triple-A Vancouver, testing his shoulder at shortstop, third base and second base. Easley will continue his rehabilitation assignment with double-A Midland because the Angels want him to play in warm weather.