ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SALMON BUMPED TO NO. 7.

Byline: Sean Kearns Staff Writer

Angels outfielder Tim Salmon felt a little out of place Sunday night. When he saw Darin Erstad at the plate, Salmon was sitting in the dugout, not on deck or even in the hole.

With Erstad batting second, Salmon had to wait five more batters - the seventh spot - for his turn. Angels manager Mike Scioscia moved Salmon, who hit fourth on Saturday, down in the order on Sunday in a move to get Salmon out of his slump and the Angels' offense moving.

Scioscia talked to both Salmon and Garret Anderson about the moves before the game. Salmon said after Sunday's game that he had no problem with the decision.

``The one thing I've always believed is you walk into the clubhouse and you check your pride and ego at the door and especially now the way things are going,'' Salmon said. ``It might have been warranted to do a week ago. You can't have a guy hitting .200 hitting in the three-hole.

``It's different. I've never been there before, but I haven't been in this kind of a hitting predicament either. ... As long as I'm in the lineup each day, I'll be all right. I'll be the first to say that I need to get myself going. It does get frustrating killing rallies or not doing much down there.''

Salmon is hitting .206. He went 1 for 3 Sunday with a walk and a run scored. He entered Sunday hitting 3 for his last 34 (.088).

--Extra bases: The Angels optioned pitcher Jamie Burke to Triple-A Salt Lake City after the game and plan to make a roster move to replace him Tuesday, the same day Jorge Fabregas is eligible to come off the disabled list. ... With a two-run homer in the second inning, Benji Gil continued to give the Angels punch off the bench. Gil is hitting .353.