ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ERROR-PRONE HALTER FEELING HEAT AT HOT CORNER.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

BALTIMORE - Shane Halter spent a portion of Sunday's batting practice session chatting with actor Owen Wilson, the star of such films as Zoolander and, like Halter, a former Texas Longhorn.

Halter could use a dose of Wilson's free-spirited nature at third base, where the veteran utilityman has been spooked since committing a key eighth-inning error against the New York Yankees.

That started a run of five errors in four starts at third, a run capped Sunday when Halter committed two errors that weighed heavily in the Angels' 4-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

``We'd probably still be playing if I wasn't out there,'' Halter said. ``I was their best player tonight.''

Manager Mike Scioscia said the club still has ``a lot of confidence in him'' and that ``I don't think it's in his head.''

But Halter admits he's pressing.

``It's like hitting. You get into a rut where you don't feel good,'' Halter said. ``You second-guess every hop. When you're not feeling good, you need to be more aggressive. Right now, I'm more passive.''

After booting a routine grounder by Alex Rodriguez in the eighth inning Tuesday, which helped the Yankees briefly grab the lead, Halter committed another error Thursday and one Saturday, misplaying a ball in the ninth inning. The error forced manager Mike Scioscia to bring closer Troy Percival into the game.

On Sunday, Halter got a poor jump and then threw wide of first base on Luis Matos' sacrifice bunt attempt in the fifth inning, greatly aiding the Orioles' efforts to turn a scoreless game into a 2-0 lead. In the eighth, he played Matos' grounder off his chest and then fumbled the ball, enabling Rafael Palmeiro to score an insurance run.

Halter has committed seven errors in 26 games this season. He committed nine in 114 games with Detroit last year. Scioscia did not downplay Halter's gaffes Sunday, saying hard-luck starter Kelvim Escobar ``can't control the defense.'' But he also said Halter will continue to play on nights Chone Figgins plays the outfield.

--Molina leaves early: Catcher Bengie Molina left the game in the third inning complaining of a tight right groin.

--Donnelly says he's better: Scioscia talked to reliever Brendan Donnelly on Saturday and reported Donnelly's elbow, hampered by tendinitis, feels ``much better.'' Scioscia said Donnelly could rejoin the Angels within seven to 10 days.

--Glaus update: Although Troy Glaus has begun fielding ground balls at first base, Scioscia said he is not throwing. But he has taken batting practice and figures to rejoin the lineup at designated hitter during the next homestand.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com