ANGELS NOTEBOOK: PERCIVAL DOESN'T WASTE HIS CHANCE THIS TIME.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

OAKLAND - Closer Troy Percival seems to disappear from sight when the Angels go on a losing streak. They simply couldn't get him a lead to protect during their seven-game plummet.

But Percival made his first appearance since June 27 on Thursday, pitching a perfect ninth for his 20th save in the Angels' 5-2 win.

``It was getting to a point where we were thinking we might have to put him in when we were losing in a game just to keep him sharp,'' manager Mike Scioscia said.

Percival, who lowered his ERA to 0.87, said the layoff didn't cause him to lose his rhythm because there were a number of games when he was up in the bullpen ready to come in.

``Fortunately for us, we play a lot of close games,'' Percival said. ``I get up, get hot and get my mind working. Unfortunately, I haven't been getting in.''

Percival and his fellow relievers were on call Thursday with starter Ismael Valdes pitching. Valdes had missed nearly three weeks and was on a limited pitch count. And after five innings and 81 pitches, Valdes handed a 3-2 lead to the bullpen.

Shigetoshi Hasegawa pitched one scoreless inning. Mike Holtz got one out in the seventh and was replaced by Al Levine, who retired five in a row to set up the ninth for Percival.

``We have a terrific bullpen, but the opportunities (to use them with late-inning leads) haven't arisen as much as we'd like,'' Scioscia said.

The Angels bullpen went into Thursday's game with an ERA of 2.99, third-best in the major leagues.

--Winning is the only thing: Third baseman Troy Glaus was asked after Thursday's game which was more satisfying, his two stellar defensive plays or his home run.

``The win,'' he answered. ``That's the only thing that matters.''

Glaus, who led the American League with 47 homers last season, has 22 this season, which puts him on a pace for 42. But he said he hasn't been asked yet to participate in the All-Star Game's home run contest.

``If they want me to do it, I'll do it,'' he said. ``I've done (other home run contests) before. They're always fun.''

--Lidle watches Lidle: Kevin Lidle watched his twin brother Cory throw 7 2/3 scoreless innings on Wednesday for the A's in their 2-0 win over the Angels, and took in Thursday's game as well. Kevin Lidle was hitting .295 and playing catcher for the Angels' Triple-A Salt Lake team but was released earlier this

week when catcher Jose Molina was activated from the disabled list.

Lidle said his agent will make some phone calls in the next few days to try to help him catch on with another club.

ANGELS vs. COLORADO

Time: 6:05 p.m., at Coors Field.

TV/Radio: Ch. 9; 570-AM, 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Ramon Ortiz (6-6, 4.14 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Colorado's Mike Hampton (9-4, 3.76). The Angels resume play against National League West teams, playing their next nine games against the Rockies, Diamondbacks and Padres. The Angels are 4-5 against the NL West this season.

- Joe Haakenson

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