ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SALMON FALLS IN ANGELS LINEUP.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - A struggling Tim Salmon was dropped from third to sixth in the batting order for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, but manager Mike Scioscia insists it's not a panic move, just a move to help his right fielder relax.

Salmon had the worst season of his career last year, hitting only .227, so he was hoping to get off to a fast start this season. He hit .404 in spring training with a team-leading four home runs and 18 RBI, but going into Wednesday's game was batting just .125 with nine strikeouts in 24 at-bats.

``We're trying to take the pressure off Timmy,'' Scioscia said. ``He wants to succeed so badly he's taken it upon himself to do everything at the plate.''

Last season, Salmon's problems were of a more physical nature, as he was coming off shoulder surgery. This season, he's healthy and his swing seems fine. His confidence has taken a hit but Scioscia said dropping him in the batting order was good for the team.

``We have to balance Tim's confidence with what the needs of the club are,'' Scioscia said. ``I think Tim understands the need to be more productive than what he did the first seven games.''

Salmon met with Scioscia and hitting coach Mickey Hatcher in the video room for about 20 minutes before batting practice.

''The main thing was to let him know we still have a lot of confidence in him,'' Hatcher said. ''We have no concerns. Look at (Alex Rodriguez). That's what we told him. We're not the only offense in baseball that's having a tough time.''

Salmon said he didn't have a problem with the move.

``He's just trying to shake things up,'' Salmon said. ``I'm fine with that. What can I say? I'm not swinging the bat like I should.

``I wanted to get off to a good start and the first week it didn't happen. Now we're playing Seattle and Oakland, maybe I am pressing a little bit. Whatever the reason, I'm trying to keep it in perspective. It's a week into the year.''

--Pitching Ichiro: Every team has tried to figure out how to pitch to defending AL MVP Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners. Angels pitcher Jarrod Washburn has tried to keep it simple.

``My strategy is not to walk him, because he's so good on the bases,'' Washburn said. ``Other than that, throw strikes and hope he hits it at somebody. And don't throw it down the middle.''

ANGELS vs. SEATTLE

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

TV/Radio: No TV; 830 AM, 1090 AM (Spanish).

Matchup: Scott Schoeneweis (1-0, 1.08 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Seattle's Freddy Garcia (0-2, 6.56). Schoeneweis has had the best start by an Angels pitcher this season, holding the Rangers to one run in 8 1/3 innings in his last start. Garcia is off to a slow start, but he has owned the Angels in his career, going 5-1 with a 1.60 ERA in eight career starts.

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. SEATTLE (see text)