Back Troubling Closer Percival

Angel closer Troy Percival spent the pregame getting his back treated by team trainers. Manager Mike Scioscia said that Percival’s back was “a little stiff” from Monday’s flight from Baltimore.

The Angels announced that Percival underwent X-rays and an MRI on his back and hip that were negative. He is listed as day-to-day with muscle spasms.

Al Levine pitched the final two innings to get the save in the Angels’ 9-6 victory over Tampa Bay.

Percival has struggled the last two weeks. He has four saves in six appearances since the All-Star break. He also gave up two runs in the ninth to Arizona on July 14, taking the loss. He gave up three runs and was charged with a blown save Saturday against Baltimore.

Percival has given up six runs in 5 2/3 innings since the All-Star break. He did not pitch in games Sunday or Monday.

Scioscia said Percival’s struggles were not related to problems with his back.

The reason for first baseman Scott Spiezio’s recent success is simple. He’s in the lineup.

He was the odd-man out early in the season, as the Angels had a surplus of first basemen and designated hitters. Spiezio didn’t help his cause, batting .241 with one home run through May.

But in the last two weeks, he has helped the struggling Angel offense. In the 13 games before Tuesday, Spiezio was batting .388 with three home runs and nine runs batted in. He has started 12 of the 13 games.

“Getting more at bats definitely has something to do with it,” Spiezio said. “If I’m feeling good, I am able to go out and use it.”

Spiezio was a key element in a potent Angel offense last season. He batted only .242, but had a career-high 17 home runs and drove in 49 runs. Twice he won games with ninth-inning home runs.

That made Spiezio a logical choice to help fill the Mo Vaughn-void. Instead he struggled.

“He wasn’t swinging the bat well,” Scioscia said. “If you look at his at-bats, he’s going to finish ahead of last season.”

Spiezio has 232 at-bats. He had 297 last season.

But his role did increase after first baseman Wally Joyner retired June 16, two weeks after designated hitter Glenallen Hill was released. That created more playing time for Spiezio.

He has started 57 games, 23 since Joyner retired. His average has risen from .230 on July 5 to .263 before Tuesday’s game. He has five home runs and 27 RBIs.

“It’s like anything, if you’re feeling good and don’t get to play, you not going to show people what you can do,” Spiezio said. “Hopefully I’ll continue to get the at-bats.”

Pitcher Scott Schoeneweis, whose performances have ranged form brilliant to pitiful, got an unusual workout from pitching coach Bud Black.

The left-handed Schoeneweis fielded ground balls at second base and threw to third for 10 minutes before the game.

“That helps solidify the arm slot,” Black said. “When you field a ground ball and throw it, the mechanics are right. We take that down to the bullpen.”

In his last two starts, Schoeneweis has given up 10 runs in nine innings.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

MATT WISE

(1-2, 5.01 ERA)

vs.

DEVIL RAYS’

PAUL WILSON

(2-7, 7.10)

Edison Field, 7

Radio--KLAC (590), XPRS (1090)

* Update--Wise was recalled from triple-A Salt Lake City for tonight’s start, as the Angels have played five games in four days.

* Tickets--(714) 663-9000.