He Loves the Pressure

The Angels rank in the top five of every major offensive category in the American League.

It is the very reason they began the second half with any kind of shot at their first postseason appearance in 14 years, and the reason General Manager Bill Stoneman isn’t already planning for next year.

Still, Manager Mike Scioscia isn’t at all satisfied with the output.

“I really feel there’s more to this offense,” he said before Thursday night’s game against the Dodgers.

The field personnel would love another bat or a starting pitcher, or both. But, that’s not what Scioscia’s talking about. He has asked the current players to become more aggressive on the basepaths, particularly in the areas of going first to third and scoring from second on singles.

“We need to keep more pressure on the other club,” he said. “We can’t put up any better power numbers than we have. But we’ll see this club is a lot more than a lot of guys hitting home runs.”

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have told other clubs that they have backed off their pursuit of a veteran run producer, for which they have dangled Travis Lee and a number of second-tier pitchers.

According to two baseball officials, the Diamondbacks have had several internal discussions about Angel slugger Tim Salmon, who grew up and still resides in the Phoenix area, though for now they appear willing to wait until the winter.

Talks could reheat if the Angels fall out of the race, especially if the Angels could package a veteran pitcher, such as Ken Hill, in a deal.

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The possibilities keep coming for Darin Erstad, the Angels’ best player in a remarkable first half.

The latest?

Erstad is on pace to hit safely in 137 games, which would be a major league record. Derek Jeter hit safely in 135 games last season.

Erstad’s batting average has never been lower than .362, which it was on June 21. In the next two weeks he lifted his average to .384.

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The Angels have begun preliminary negotiations with advisor Scott Boras for Auburn right-hander Chris Bootcheck, the 20th overall pick in the June draft.

The player chosen 19th received a bonus of $1.65 million, and the Angels likely are thinking in terms of slot value, which would put Bootcheck’s worth at about $1.5 million. Boras, however, probably won’t agree.

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Right-hander Tim Belcher threw briefly Wednesday and told team officials that he continued to experience pain in his right elbow.

A cortisone injection he received late last week has had little impact on the flexor area on the inside of the elbow. Belcher has pitched only 13 innings since off-season elbow surgery, and has had several setbacks during rehabilitation.

Realistically, Belcher might not return for several more weeks.

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Rea Wilson, 77, returned to Dodger Stadium on Thursday night, three months after setting out on a journey that took her to all 30 major league ballparks. A resident of Seal Beach, Wilson recorded the trip on a calendar that was autographed by every manager.

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Left-hander Scott Schoeneweis, recovering from a strained muscle in his right side, is scheduled to throw Friday for Class-A Lake Elsinore. . . . Kent Mercker is progressing from the cerebral hemorrhage he suffered in May. He threw in the bullpen Thursday, will do the same Saturday, then throw batting practice Monday in San Diego. . . . Backup catcher Matt Walbeck had a slight stomach flu.