ANGELS NOTEBOOK: RADIO ANNOUNCER IS A CHARM FOR ORTIZ.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY - Pitchers Ramon Ortiz and Scott Schoeneweis flip-flopped their spots in the rotation, with Ortiz scheduled to start tonight's game against the Royals and Schoeneweis to start Thursday in Minnesota against the Twins.

Upon hearing of the switch, Ortiz sought out Angels Spanish-radio broadcaster Ivan Lara, asking Lara to interview him.

Lara said Ortiz occasionally will ask to be interviewed the day before his start for superstitious reasons. In 1999, Ortiz was interviewed by Lara the day before his major-league debut, and Ortiz allowed one run and four hits in eight innings for a victory against the White Sox.

Ever since then, when Ortiz is struggling, he goes to Lara to get himself on the right track. Ortiz has struggled in his past two starts, allowing 11 runs in 13 1/3 innings and giving up seven home runs.

Pitching switch: Because of Monday's off-day, Ortiz will start tonight's game on his regular four days rest, something he prefers. But the primary reason for the switch had to do with Schoeneweis, who needed additional work between starts with pitching coach Bud Black.

Schoeneweis has struggled in his past two starts, and after his last one he said he was frustrated because he wasn't ``carrying his weight'' for the team.

``There's some mechanical things we've been trying to iron out,'' Black said. ``Throwing once in between starts sometimes isn't enough mound-time to accomplish what you want to accomplish.''

Schoeneweis threw off the mound in workouts Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, and Black said he believes the left-hander has worked through his problems.

``I sense he's in a better frame of mind,'' Black said. ``Obviously, he puts a lot of pressure on himself. All players do. But he wears it on his sleeves more than most. He's pitched a couple years in the big leagues and has higher expectations of what his performance should be.''

Knee injury: Shortstop David Eckstein was not in the starting lineup for the sixth consecutive game Tuesday because of a sprained left knee. Eckstein is running and swinging the bat fine but still needs an extra day or two to make sure the knee is not a problem for him when moving laterally on defense.

Eckstein likely will be the designated hitter tonight and should rejoin the starting lineup Thursday or Friday in Minnesota.

ANGELS vs. KANSAS CITY

Time: 7:05 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium.

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

Matchup: Ramon Ortiz (4-5, 3.62 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Kansas City's Jeremy Affeldt (1-1, 2.77). The Angels pitchers have begun hitting soft toss in preparation for interleague games in National League parks, which begin June 14 at Dodger Stadium.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. KANSAS CITY (see text)