Donnelly Is Off First-Half Pace

Brendan Donnelly is still getting the job done out of the Angel bullpen, he’s just not doing it in the same eye-popping fashion as he did before the All-Star break.

The widely heralded setup man has surrendered five earned runs over his last 8 2/3 innings after giving up two earned runs over his first 50 innings, and his 1.07 earned-run average is the highest it has been all season.

“I’ve given up some runs. Whatever. It happens,” said Donnelly, who escaped his latest jam Monday with only one run scoring after the Chicago White Sox opened the eighth inning with three consecutive singles to load the bases. “[Monday] they strung together some hits. I was fortunate not to give up more runs.”

Donnelly disagreed with the notion that his 0.38 ERA before the All-Star break -- the second-lowest mark in the major leagues since 1974 -- would inevitably rise during the second half.

“I don’t know if it’s unrealistic [to think the ERA would stay level],” said Donnelly (1-2), who has given up one run in three of his last four outings. “I go out there every day trying to do my best. That’s all I can do. I don’t expect to give up runs. I expect to have clean innings, but it’s major-league hitters. They’re good.”

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Closer Troy Percival has also wobbled lately, giving up at least one run in each of his last four outings, though part of his ineffectiveness might be because of a lack of work since the All-Star break.

Chicago opened the ninth inning Monday with five consecutive hits off Percival, including Frank Thomas’ two-run homer, and scored four runs to pull to within 10-8 before Percival struck out Roberto Alomar and induced a game-ending popup from Carlos Lee.

“I just heard they implemented a new rule -- you can set up your own save,” Percival said afterward.

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Shortstop David Eckstein was a late scratch from the lineup Tuesday after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring during Monday’s game. Eckstein is day-to-day.... Garret Anderson, whose batting average has dipped closer to .300 over the last two weeks, hit in the No. 3 spot for a fourth consecutive game, with Tim Salmon batting cleanup. Scioscia said the move is intended to provide Anderson with increased protection.... Aaron Sele’s pitches were clocked as fast as 91 mph Monday, leading Scioscia to proclaim that the right-hander “has turned the corner” in his comeback from off-season shoulder surgery.