Day Off Soon Turns Into Disaster for Glaus

What began as a day off for Troy Glaus turned into another day of frustration for the Angel third baseman.

Manager Mike Scioscia started a lineup that featured six left-handed batters against Oakland right-hander Cory Lidle on Thursday. Glaus, who was one for 19 in the first five games of the homestand, was on the bench.

“Sometimes, taking a day off gives a guy perspective,” Scioscia said before the game. “Troy’s definitely in a little bit of a downturn right now, but there is a ton of baseball left.”

Glaus entered the game as a defensive replacement in the eighth. With one out, Olmedo Saenz hit a ball to the ground that bounced high into the air. Glaus fielded the ball bare-handed above his shoulder and threw the ball past first baseman Scott Spiezio for an error that sent Saenz to second base.

In the eighth, Glaus struck out against Billy Koch with runners at first and third after the Angels took a 5-4 lead.

Glaus’ only hit during the homestand was a three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday that gave the Angels a 6-5 lead, his first homer since June 28.

Glaus is batting .243 with 16 homers and 67 runs batted in. However, he is hitting only .195 with five homers and 20 RBIs in his last 164 at-bats.

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Closer Troy Percival pitched to five batters in a simulated game and pronounced himself fit to come off the disabled list Saturday.

Percival has been recovering from an infected abrasion on his left foot, an injury suffered during a family boating trip over the All-Star break.

Percival did not give up a hit while facing Jose Nieves, Shawn Wooten and Jorge Fabregas.

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Adam Kennedy was ejected by home plate umpire Marty Foster after Kennedy argued a called third strike to end the seventh inning.

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Catcher Jose Molina continues to fill in effectively for his brother, Bengie, who appears to be ahead of schedule in his comeback from a strained left hamstring.

Bengie was put on the 15-day disabled list July 17 and was initially told he could miss four to six weeks. But he said Thursday that he might be ready when he is eligible to be activated.

Jose made two good plays in the first inning of the Angels’ series finale against the A’s. From his knees, he threw out Terrence Long attempting to steal second base. With two out and runners at first and second, he picked off Miguel Tejada at second.

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Left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis was unavailable because of back stiffness.

ON DECK

Opponent--Seattle Mariners, three games.

Site--Safeco Field, Seattle.

Tonight--7.

TV--Tonight and Sunday on Channel 9.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Records--Angels 60-40, Mariners 62-40.

Record vs. Mariners--4-6.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

JOHN LACKEY

(1-1, 3.94 ERA)

vs.

MARINERS’

JAMES BALDWIN

(6-6, 4.42 ERA)

Update--The Angels lost two of three at Safeco Field April 19-21, but they swept the Mariners last weekend at Edison Field. Lackey struggled with his control in 3 2/3 innings.

Saturday, 1 p.m.--Angels’ Jarrod Washburn (12-2, 3.22) vs. Joel Pineiro (10-4, 3.00).

Sunday, 1:30 p.m.--Kevin Appier (8-8, 4.50) vs. Jamie Moyer (10-4, 3.01).