ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANDERSON NOT WORRIED THAT HITS AREN'T FALLING.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Going into Friday night's game against Oakland, Angels left fielder Garret Anderson was hitless in his previous four games. Anderson had not gone hitless in three consecutive games since 1999.

Anderson, though, has never been a fast starter. A career .296 hitter, he has hit .267 in both April and May throughout his career.

``I'm not worried about anything,'' said Anderson, who took a .176 average into Friday's game. ``There's nothing wrong with me other than guys making great plays against me.''

Mariners center fielder Mike Cameron made a leaping catch at the wall with the bases loaded on Thursday. Cameron also made a running catch in the right-center-field gap on Tuesday on another hard-hit ball.

``Garret's been swinging well, he could easily have about six or eight more RBIs,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``He's hit the ball hard with not a lot to show for it, but that's baseball.''

While Scioscia and the coaching staff have been making an effort to keep the struggling hitters' confidence up, Anderson has not been a concern.

``I keep a good frame of mind,'' Anderson said. ``I know where I'll be at by year's end. ... I don't think anybody's panicking, at least I hope not.''

--Watching Ramirez: Anderson, Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon are entrenched in the Angels' outfield, and Jeff DaVanon and Orlando Palmeiro are the reserve outfielders, but the Angels have a viable option if needed.

Just before the end of spring training, they claimed outfielder Julio Ramirez from the White Sox. Ramirez, 24, is hitting .308 at Triple-A Salt Lake. He is one of the fastest players in the organization, having once stolen 71 bases in a minor-league season.

--Feeling fine: Troy Percival (strained muscle in right side) threw off the mound at about 85 percent and felt fine. He'll throw off the mound again Sunday, after which the club will decide what to do next. It could be a rehab appearance or a simulated game. He's eligible to come off the disabled list Friday.

--Medical update: Outfielder Nathan Haynes and first baseman/designated hitter Shawn Wooten both had pins removed from their surgically repaired thumbs. Both injured their thumbs during spring training.

ANGELS vs. OAKLAND

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

TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net; KLAC-570, XPRS-1090 (Spanish).

Matchup: Jarrod Washburn (0-1, 4.35 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Oakland's Erik Hiljus (0-1, 7.50). Washburn held Seattle scoreless in 5 1/3 innings in his last start, but the bullpen blew a 3-0 lead in a 5-4 loss. Washburn went 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA vs. Oakland last season.

- Joe Haakenson

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