ANGELS NOTEBOOK: BACK SPASMS PUT SCHOENEWEIS ON SHELF.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

CHICAGO - Only a few minutes before Thursday's game began, pitcher Scott Schoeneweis was scratched because of lower-back spasms. But he said he doesn't expect to miss his next start.

As he sat on the outfield grass, leaning forward with his legs out wide, Schoeneweis' back went out.

``It just locked up on me and I couldn't move,'' Schoeneweis said. ``I was paralyzed. I tried to get up, but I couldn't walk. I was as surprised as anyone, with all the stuff I do to get ready.''

Schoeneweis said he felt fine after the game as he packed for the plane ride to Detroit, though he said he got a shot and was given muscle relaxers.

``The telltale sign will be how I feel (today),'' he said.

Schoeneweis has been the Angels' most consistent starter. His seven starts is tied with Pat Rapp for the team lead and he leads the team in innings pitched with 50. He's pitched into the seventh inning in all seven of his starts, and only once has he allowed more than three runs in a game.

Schoeneweis also led the team last year in starts (27) and innings pitched (170).

The Angels used five relievers in 10 innings of Thursday's game, leaving the bullpen taxed for tonight's game against the Tigers. So to bolster the bullpen, the Angels are expected to call up reliever Mark Lukasiewicz today. Infielder Jose Nieves will be sent down to make room for Lukasiewicz on the roster.

--Salmon's misplay: Tim Salmon admitted he should have thrown the ball in from right field Wednesday during Jose Valentin's game-winning hit in the ninth. Josh Paul of the White Sox was on second base with one out when Valentin hit the ball over Salmon's head in right field.

Paul, though, hesitated, got a bad jump and hadn't yet touched third when Salmon played the ball off the fence. But Salmon, assuming Paul was going to score easily, never threw the ball in.

``The ball bounced and came right to me and I thought, 'What do I do with the ball now? The game's over,' '' Salmon said. ``I didn't even see the runner, I saw the (White Sox) dugout clearing out and I thought, 'That's it, they win.'''

Second baseman Adam Kennedy was waiting for a relay throw that never came. And later, Salmon learned by talking to teammates that there actually was a chance they could have gotten Paul at the plate. Paul had retreated toward second base, apparently to tag up in case the ball was caught.

``I won't say I screwed up, but maybe we had a shot,'' he said. ``In hindsight, with him freezing, that might have given us a chance. I've never been in a play like that. I didn't see the replay, I don't want to see the replay.

``That's one time he makes a mistake by tagging up or he trips over his shoelace, and hey, I'm guilty. It's unfortunate, but I don't look at it like I cost us the game.''

--Thomas out for season: White Sox designated hitter/first baseman Frank Thomas will miss the rest of the season with a torn triceps muscle. It's an injury that will require surgery and is similar to Mo Vaughn's. Vaughn had surgery to repair a torn biceps tendon.

``Certainly it's a similar situation,'' Scioscia said. ``Both clubs have enough offense to win, even with taking out bats as big as Mo and Frank. The residual affect is more than numbers, it's the presence in the lineup. They have the ability to make everyone around them in the lineup better.''

--Hill's return: Designated hitter Glenallen Hill experienced tightness in his left side while running the bases during a workout on Wednesday. Hill, on the disabled list since April 21 with a strained muscle in his side, was expected to be activated this weekend.

ANGELS vs. DETROIT

Time: 4:05 p.m. at Comerica Park.

TV/Radio: No TV; KMPC-1540, KMXN-94.3 FM, XPRS-1090.

Matchup: Ramon Ortiz (3-3, 4.54 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Detroit's Steve Sparks (1-2, 3.12). The Tigers are 7-2 vs. AL West with both losses coming to the Angels. Angels shortstop David Eckstein has an eight-game hitting streak. He's reached base in 27 of his 28 starts.

- Joe Haakenson

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