DaVanon Gets Another Start

The Angels found another way to include the increasingly indispensable Jeff DaVanon in their lineup Wednesday when they started him in left field for only the second time this season and shifted Garret Anderson to designated hitter.

DaVanon’s name is one Manager Mike Scioscia will continue to put on his lineup card if the outfielder maintains his offensive tear. DaVanon has hit safely in all nine games since being moved into the leadoff spot and is coming off a breakout month in which he hit .349 with eight home runs and 15 runs batted in.

“The really short-term focus for Jeff right now is not his ability to play every day, it’s his ability to come off the bench and contribute,” Scioscia said. “But he definitely has the makings of an everyday outfielder.”

DaVanon has received almost as much playing time this season (34 starts) as in the four previous seasons combined (37).

“This is a funny game and it can change overnight,” said DaVanon, who walked, drove in a run with a triple and doubled in his first three plate appearances Wednesday.

“I don’t think about [playing time], to tell you the truth. When I’m in the lineup I play, and when I’m not I watch those guys play. I just go day to day and try to help the team that day.”

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Any concerns about whether Troy Percival would remain as effective upon his return from the disabled list have been laid to rest. The closer has converted 10 consecutive save opportunities since returning June 7 while exhibiting improved command in the strike zone.

“It’s not a drastic difference of what he’s doing now as opposed to what he did before,” Scioscia said.

“His leg kick is not quite as elevated, but his body position is a little bit more mechanically sound than it was. There’s a little deception you lose, but his ability to execute pitches or generate velocity using his lower half has not been impacted at all.”

Percival went on the disabled list May 22 after his hip popped out of its socket and he was diagnosed with degenerative changes in the hip joint.

“He’s got to be aware of his hip,” pitching coach Bud Black said, “but ... it hasn’t inhibited him at all as far as his ability to make pitches and close out games.”

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The Angels announced they had reached an agreement with Fox Sports Net to televise eight more games this season. The games are Aug. 16-17 vs. Detroit at Edison Field, Aug. 24 at Detroit, Aug. 29 at Kansas City, Aug. 31 at Kansas City, Sept. 10 at Oakland, and Sept. 13-14 at Seattle.