Salmon Seeking DH Balance

In the first week of the season, when his name appeared on the lineup card at designated hitter on consecutive days, Tim Salmon wondered aloud why fellow outfielders Garret Anderson and Darin Erstad did not have to take their turns at DH. Salmon also said that Manager Mike Scioscia had told him he would DH about 10 times this season.

It’s the first week of June, and Salmon already has been the designated hitter 11 times. He is hitting .256 when he starts at DH and .273 when he does not, but the Angels are 8-3 when he does.

“Initially, it was a pride thing,” Salmon said, “but my attitude has changed. Right now, it’s working for the team when I do it. When you’re winning, it’s about whatever works. There’s no reason to be making waves about anything.”

Scioscia said Erstad would take a turn at DH this weekend. Scioscia also acknowledged that Salmon’s early-season defense did not measure up to that of Anderson and Erstad.

“They’re both playing terrific defense, and that’s an important part of our club,” Scioscia said. “Tim had some rough spots, but he’s gotten more confident and more comfortable.”

*

Baseball sources say the Angels appear to be more likely to acquire a veteran reliever, particularly a left-hander, than a first baseman before the July 31 trading deadline. Scott Spiezio has two home runs, the fewest among American League first basemen with at least 100 at-bats, but he hit 13 last year and 17 two years ago.

“Even though you might perceive a shortage of power from our everyday first baseman, we don’t see that at all,” Scioscia said. “There’s power there. It just hasn’t manifested itself on a consistent basis this season.”

*

Scouting director Donny Rowland heatedly denied that the Angels selected their top draft pick primarily because they could sign him cheaply. The Angels, picking 12th, selected Virginia Tech left-hander Joe Saunders and signed him for $1.825 million; last year’s No. 12 pick signed for $2.075 million.

The Angels passed on left-hander Scott Kazmir, regarded as having greater potential but, as a high school player, at greater risk. He is believed to be seeking a bonus more than twice what the Angels gave Saunders and a major league contract, which would require his team to keep him in the majors after three years or risk losing him on waivers. Kazmir, projected as a top-five pick, fell to the Mets at No. 15.

“It was more a matter of Kazmir pricing himself out of the top 14 than us thinking Joe was a cheap sign,” Rowland said.

ON DECK

Opponent--Cincinnati Reds, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net tonight and Sunday, Channel 11 Saturday.

Radio--KPLS (830) tonight and Sunday, KLAC (570) Saturday, XPRS (1090) all games.

Records--Angels 34-23, Reds 34-24.

Record vs. Reds--First meeting.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’ AARON SELE

(5-3, 5.16 ERA)

vs.

REDS’ CHRIS REITSMA

(3-2, 2.65 ERA)

Update--Erstad leads the majors in hits during interleague play. When the Angels visit National League parks for nine games starting next week, Spiezio and designated hitter Brad Fullmer will share time at first base.

Saturday, 1 p.m.--Ramon Ortiz (6-5, 3.40) vs. Elmer Dessens (4-3, 2.51).

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (4-4, 4.77) vs. Joey Hamilton (3-3, 4.47).

Tickets--(714) 663-9000.