ANGELS NOTEBOOK: NAPOLI A GREAT CATCH.

Byline: BEN VILLA Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- Before the season started, the Angels figured they had a promising young catcher on their hands that would make a major impact this season.

They just didn't figure it would be Mike Napoli.

Jeff Mathis started the season with the Angels, sharing the catching duties with Jose Molina but after he struggled at the plate and calling games, he was sent down to triple-A Salt Lake and Napoli was called up May 4.

Since then, Napoli has not looked back and has emerged as a possible Rookie of the Year candidate.

``Mike's been impressive,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``He's been doing everything we've asked of him. It's tough to break into the big leagues as a catcher but right now, we're also asking him to hit fifth in the lineup.

``But he's doing a great job on offense and defense and right now, he's meeting the challenge of being a big league player.''

Napoli leads all American League rookies with eight home runs, but it's not just his power that's impressed Scioscia. Heading into Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies, Napoli was batting .295 with 20 RBIs and is third on the team with 24 walks.

He's also has a slugging percentage of .581 and he's second on the team with a .435 on-base percentage.

``I didn't expect to hit fifth or anything like that,'' Napoli said. ``I'm just trying to do what I was doing in the minor leagues and that's play hard and help this team win.''

Anderson hurt: Garret Anderson is only two hits shy of reaching 2,000 for his career but anybody coming to the ballpark expecting to see him reach that milestone came away disappointed.

Anderson was scheduled to bat fifth, but an hour and a half before the game started, he was scratched because of stiffness in his lower back.

It's not the first time this season that Anderson has had to miss a game because of injuries. He's been suffering from soreness in the arch of his left foot (plantar fasciitis) all season long and at times, the problem has also spread to his hamstring.

``It's all related to his foot problems,'' Scioscia said. ``He's compensating for it but he's held up well the last couple of weeks.

``He tweaked his back on Monday rounding third base late in the game and it started bothering him when he was taking batting practice. Right now, he's day to day.''