ANGELS NOTEBOOK: OUTLOOK NIFTY FOR FINAL 50 GAMES.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The Angels began their final 50 games of the regular season Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. Although they struggled initially coming out of the All-Star break, they have appeared to hit their stride with a playoff spot theirs for the taking.

The Angels began the night 12 games over .500 (62-50) for the first time since June 4, when they were 33-21.

``Everybody's picked it up a little bit,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``Overall, I think the guys have caught a second wind.''

The Angels have lost third baseman Troy Glaus for the season, and starting catcher Bengie Molina and pitcher Jarrod Washburn are on the disabled list. But other players have filled in and stepped up.

``Our depth is re-established,'' Scioscia said. ``Rob Quinlan has forced himself onto the radar. With Garret (Anderson) back regaining his stroke, hopefully we're approaching more the team we need to be.

``From an everyday (player) end, we're fine. The depth of our rotation is being tested, but Aaron Sele and Ramon Ortiz have done well. We're playing better in a lot of areas of the game. But there's too much baseball left to say where we're going to be in the next eight weeks. We need to keep the same focus.''

--Praise for Percival: Closer Troy Percival was honored before Tuesday's game for becoming the 18th pitcher in major-league history to earn 300 saves, No. 300 coming July 28. Percival received a standing ovation during the ceremony and was presented with a trophy, as well as the lineup card and baseball from the July 28 game against Texas.

Scioscia, general manager Bill Stoneman and owner Arte Moreno made presentations to Percival, and Darin Erstad briefly spoke as the representative for the current players. But the highlight of the ceremony was a surprise appearance by two former Angels who are close friends with Percival.

Chuck Finley and Gary DiSarcina emerged from the left-field bullpen in a golf cart. Finley, who swerved as he drove, pushed DiSarcina out of the cart and onto the infield dirt before driving over the pitcher's mound.

Scioscia was reminded of a similar ceremony when he became the all-time leader in games caught by an Los Angeles Dodger.

A reporter asked Scioscia about the truck he received from the Dodgers, but Scioscia said he got a plaque, not a truck.

``If they gave me a truck, I never got the keys,'' he said. ``If they gave me a truck, it's been parked over there for the last 15 years.''

--Rookie defense: The 20-game hitting streak Quinlan took into Tuesday's game is the longest by any player on the team this season and the longest by a rookie in franchise history. But Scioscia seems as impressed, if not moreso, at Quinlan's defense.

Quinlan had played third base sparingly in his minor-league career before this season but has done well with his on-the-job training in the majors.

``We've all been pleasantly surprised by a guy playing a position where he's had very little experience,'' Scioscia said. ``He works very hard in any drills he's doing and he's more and more comfortable with every game he plays.''

Quinlan also can play first base and the corner outfield spots.

--DaVanon returns: Before Tuesday's game, the Angels activated outfielder Jeff DaVanon (back) from the disabled list. In order to make room for DaVanon on the roster, the club optioned catcher Wil Nieves to Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Angels will go with two catchers, Jose Molina and Josh Paul, in order to have more depth on the bench in other positions.

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ANGELS vs. BALTIMORE

- Joe Haakenson