ANGELES NOTEBOOK: ORTIZ COULD MISS NEXT SCHEDULED START.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TORONTO - Ramon Ortiz took a 4-1 lead into the eighth inning when Toronto Blue Jays leadoff hitter Shannon Stewart hit a chopper to the right of first baseman Scott Spiezio, who fielded the ball and flipped to Ortiz covering first.

It was just like they practice in spring training over and over, but this time there was a hitch. Ortiz rolled over his right ankle and sprained it. While X-rays were negative, there's a chance he'll have to skip his next scheduled start Thursday.

Ismael Valdes, who had to leave Wednesday's game early because of a bloody blister on the middle finger of his right hand, has healed quickly and could start in Ortiz's spot.

``When you're talking about a lower extremity to a pitcher, it's not something to take lightly,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``You can't say, `Oh, it's not his arm.' This is something we're going to stay on top of.''

Catcher Bengie Molina saw it happen and had to turn his head.

``I didn't want to watch,'' he said. ``I've done that a lot and I know how it feels.''

--Glove man: Ortiz got plenty of help from third baseman Troy Glaus on Saturday, but not the kind one might expect. Glaus went 0 for 3, his average dipping to .239. But he made two key defensive plays, starting double plays in the third and fifth innings.

``There are other ways to win games besides driving in runs,'' he said. ``You can save games, too. You want to drive in more than you let in. Today I didn't drive in any but maybe I saved a couple.''

The series at SkyDome is the first the Angels have played on artificial turf this season. Glaus has had some trouble fielding balls off the turf in the series but says it is no excuse.

``I personally don't like it,'' he said. ``We don't play on it very often, it takes getting used to it. But you've still got to make the plays.''

Including the past two games, the Angels play only 15 games on turf all season.

--Pure hit: Troy Percival pitched one scoreless inning Saturday and earned his fourth save in four opportunities. However, one streak came to an end. Percival had not allowed a hit all season until Brad Fullmer (Montclair Prep of Van Nuys) singled with two out in the ninth.

Percival still has not allowed a run.

``Right now I'm confident I can throw strikes whenever I have to throw strikes,'' said Percival, who hit 97 mph on the radar gun.

In his inning of work, Percival got Carlos Delgado, the AL leader in homers, on a flyout, and got Jose Cruz Jr. on a flyout, ending his 19-game hitting streak.

``That's the matchup everybody pays to see,'' Percival said of facing Delgado. ``You win some, you lose some. Fortunately I have good command of my pitches right now. A couple of inches off and he might hit the ball out of the ballpark.''

ANGELS vs. TORONTO

Time: 10:05 a.m., at SkyDome

TV/Radio: No TV; 94.3-FM, 1090-AM (Spanish)

Matchup: LH Scott Schoeneweis (2-1, 3.22 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Toronto RH Steve Parris (0-2, 10.45 ERA). The Angels wrap up their longest road trip of the season today after going 3-6 through nine games.

- Joe Haakenson

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