ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANAHEIM READY FOR SERIES WITH HOT TWINS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Having taken care of business against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Angels return home tonight to begin a three-game series against the surprise team of the season.

The Angels took three of four over the holiday weekend from the Devil Rays, owners of baseball's worst record. But the going gets tougher now with the Twins in town. Minnesota (32-16) has the second-best record in the majors.

The Angels will not have to face seven-game winner Brad Radke in the series but will face Eric Milton and Joe Mays. Milton threw a no-hitter against the Angels at the end of the 1999 season. Mays is 6-3 with a 2.97 ERA this year.

``Every series is a test,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``They're playing very good baseball and they're a young, aggressive club. We'll have to play at a high level to win.''

Scioscia emphasized that what matters is not which team is in the opposing dugout.

``It comes back to taking care our own club and making sure we're ready to go, and take it from there,'' he said.

--Salmon the day after: Tim Salmon took a 93-mph fastball in the ribs Sunday but was in the lineup Monday as the designated hitter. Salmon said it didn't help that he's dropped a few pounds in the past few months, thus lessening the amount of padding in his midsection.

He had a key hit Monday, doubling to left field to advance Garret Anderson to third with one out in the seventh and the game tied 1-1. Both Anderson and Salmon scored in the inning and it was the difference in a 3-1 victory.

Salmon went 4 for 13 in the four-game series, not eye-popping numbers but a considerable improvement for someone hitting .205 this season.

``The big thing is to play it all out,'' Salmon said. ``I'm done analyzing, done overswinging, done thinking about it all. Now it's 'see it, hit it.' It's the challenge of beating the guy on the hump. That's where we're at right now and that's where you want to be.''

--Over at 69: The Angels went 69 consecutive innings without making an error, then made two in the first three innings Monday. Third baseman Troy Glaus committed both of them, including one in which the ball hit the ring finger on his right (throwing) hand, causing it to go numb briefly.

But starter Scott Schoeneweis wasn't bothered by the errors.

``My infield, for me, they're my best friends,'' he said. ``I need them. I know errors are going to be made, it's part of the game. Especially when I pitch, because I give up a lot of ground balls. They know if they make an error, I'm going to pick 'em up, get a ground-ball double play and get out of it.''

Going into the game, the Angels ranked tied for third in the AL with a .983 fielding percentage.

--ETC.: DH Glenallen Hill homered Sunday in a rehab-assignment game for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. Hill is expected to be activated this week. ... Left-handed reliever Mike Holtz threw Monday for Rancho Cucamonga. If he feels fine today, he'll be activated on Wednesday. ... Shortstop David Eckstein failed to reach base Monday for only the second time in 43 starts this season.

ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA

Time: 7:05 p.m. at Edison Field.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; 570-AM, 1090-AM

Matchup: Ramon Ortiz (3-4, 4.58 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Minnesota's Eric Milton (5-3, 3.62). The Twins lead the AL Central but are just 3-3 against AL West opponents this season. Doug Mientkiewicz has been the Twins' best hitter, batting .362. The Angels beat the Twins in seven of 10 games last season.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA (see text)