BASEBALL DAILY REPORT

The Angels ended their four-outfielder experiment Friday night by optioning struggling rookie Darin Erstad to triple-A Vancouver and recalling outfielder Orlando Palmeiro, who will serve in a backup role.

Erstad, mired in a five for 43 (.116) slump, had not started the Angels’ last four games, and the 22-year-old seemed upset when informed of the move after the Angels’ 9-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

“When I settle down I’ll realize this is the right thing to do,” said Erstad, the No. 1 pick in the 1995 draft. “I can play every day, but as much as I don’t want to say it, I still have a lot to learn. I have to play every day, and this is the only way that’s possible.”

Manager Marcel Lachemann said Erstad, who hit .275 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 41 games, will be recalled when teams expand rosters in September.

“We basically tried to bide time before the trading period [expired], and when nothing happened there, we couldn’t really justify sitting any of these guys [Tim Salmon, Jim Edmonds, Garret Anderson],” Lachemann said.

“Darin needs to play. He can play in the big leagues, there’s no doubt about that, but we have three other outfielders who can play, too. I don’t think he’s ever had to sit on the bench, and that hurt him.”

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Pitcher Jason Grimsley has pretty much exhausted all resources in an effort to solve his road woes.

“I’ve rearranged my pre-game schedule, worn different underwear and socks, I’ve eaten breakfast some days and not eaten others,” said Grimsley, who is 5-1 with a 3.69 earned-run average in Anaheim Stadium but 0-6 with a 9.80 ERA away from home.

“I’ve gone to sleep early the night before, I’ve gone to bed late. I’ve tried just about everything. I’m at a loss.”

Because of that, Grimsley will not get a chance--at least this weekend--to try devise some new pre-game ritual. Jim Abbott will start against the Blue Jays Sunday in place of Grimsley, who gave up six earned runs without retiring a batter in his last start, Tuesday’s 12-9 loss at Detroit.

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Salmon’s first-inning single Friday ended a two-game stretch in which the outfielder failed to reach base. Salmon has never gone three consecutive games without reaching base. . . . Triple-A pitcher Pep Harris will join the Angels in Cooperstown, N.Y. Monday to start the Hall of Fame exhibition game against the Montreal Expos. . . . Ed Sprague’s solo home run in the seventh inning Friday gave him 75 RBIs on the season, a career-high. . . . Angel closer Troy Percival, who hadn’t pitched since Sunday, gave up two runs in the eighth Friday when he hit a batter, walked a batter and gave up a two-run double to Juan Samuel.