ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ERSTAD TAKING STEPS TO CORRECT PROBLEM.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Darin Erstad lost another fly ball in the twilight sky Tuesday, leading to three runs in an eventual 9-3 Blue Jays victory. It was the third fly ball Erstad can remember losing at the time of the evening when the sky is a blend of pink, purple and orange, including the second time this season.

So Erstad is going to do something about it. No, he won't demand that Disney put a roof over the ballpark; he's simply going to alter some of his eyewear.

For the first two or three innings in night games at Edison Field, Erstad will wear orange-tinted contact lenses and amber-tinted sunglasses designed to make things appear more vivid and cut down on shadows.

He has been wearing the same sunglasses during day games or games in Minnesota's Metrodome.

Mark McGwire also has worn the amber-tinted shades.

``I'm trying to find a combination that works,'' Erstad said.

--Mix and match: Manager Mike Scioscia said he plans to continue to ``mix and match'' players at first base, second and shortstop until a player or players step up and earn a more permanent role at their respective positions.

Wally Joyner, Scott Spiezio and Shawn Wooten have alternated in the first base and DH spots. David Eckstein has claimed most of the starts at shortstop, but Benji Gil will get an occasional start there or at second base in place of Adam Kennedy.

``For the most part, guys are getting enough at-bats to produce,'' Scioscia said. ``Outside of a couple guys, most guys know who's going to be in the lineup when they come to the ballpark.''

Spiezio seems to have had the most trouble playing part time. He's hitting just .234 with no homers and five RBI. He had a career-high 17 homers last season in 297 at-bats.

--Holtz sore: Left-handed reliever Mike Holtz was not available for Wednesday's game because of a sore left elbow. He threw a light bullpen workout and should be ready to return in the next day or two. ... DH Glenallen Hill probably will begin a rehab assignment with Rancho Cucamonga on Monday. Hill, out since April 21 with a strained muscle in his left side, would play about four games for the Quakes before returning to the big-league club.

ANGELS vs. TORONTO

Time: 7:05 at Edison Field.

TV/Radio: No TV; 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Ramon Ortiz (3-3, 4.30 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Toronto's Joey Hamilton (1-2, 4.99). Ortiz hasn't won since April 28 against the Blue Jays at SkyDome. Angels hitters continue to struggle in clutch situations; they're hitting .221 with two outs and runners in scoring position.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. TORONTO (see text)