ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SALMON BATS CLEANUP.

Byline: Gordon Verell Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Tim Salmon, the Angels' all-time leading home run hitter, finally has found his way to the place in which you might expect him: cleanup.

After laboring through a 7-for-57 drought, and managing just two hits in 38 at-bats with runners in scoring position, for him to be anywhere in the lineup says something for manager Mike Scioscia's patience.

But after a 3-for-4 performance Tuesday night, which included his first homer in more than three weeks, as well as two walks - getting him on base five times - Salmon was the Angels' No. 4 batter Wednesday night for the first time this season.

``We're trying out a new guy,'' Scioscia said before the game.

Salmon batted third for most of the season. But when his customary poor April became a poor May as well, Scioscia retooled the lineup. He tried Salmon in the No. 2 spot for one game, and then a few games hitting sixth and a few more seventh.

``We moved him down so he could work on some things,'' Scioscia said. ``He's ready to get back in the middle of the lineup. That's where we want him ... when he's swinging the bat well. I believe he's turned the corner. He's looked good this week.''

Salmon entered Wednesday night's game batting .219, which is more than 70 points below his career average (.291). But he also has hit safely in three successive games - his longest hitting streak of the year.

--Just for the Hill of it: Someone else the manager is sticking with is designated hitter Glenallen Hill, who celebrated his return to the active roster Tuesday night with two more strikeouts, giving him 20 in 58 at-bats, a dozen more strikeouts than he has hits.

``For the most part, he's still searching for his rhythm and his timing,'' Scioscia said. ``When he gets hot, he gets very hot. We're waiting for that.''

So are a lot of people. Hill started the night in dreadful hole, batting just .138 (8 for 58) with only one extra-base hit.

--Back to bullpen: Left-handed reliever Mike Holtz was activated from the disabled list. To make room, catcher Jamie Burke was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Burke's contract originally was purchased May 8; he was optioned out May 20, then recalled the next day when Jose Molina suffered a fractured left thumb, and now he's going back.

``Right now, we need an extra arm,'' Scioscia said. ``We didn't want to send out another pitcher and we didn't have many other options.''

ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA

Time: Edison Field, 7:05 p.m.

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

Matchup: Jarrod Washburn (3-4) was hammered for seven runs on eight hits, including two homers, in just 3 1/3 innings and Anaheim lost 10-6 when he last saw the Twins, in June, 2000. Minnesota starter Brad Thomas (0-0), who is from Australia and was originally signed by the Dodgers but released after one season in the Rookie League, will be making his second career start, filling in for J.C. Romero, who has a stiff back. His first start, last Saturday, ended after he gave up four runs in 1 2/3 innings. It gives him a 21.60 ERA.

- Gordon Verrell

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ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA (see text)