ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SCIOSCIA HASN'T LOST CONFIDENCE.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ARLINGTON, Tex. - John Lackey would have preferred a one-way ticket from Salt Lake and not the round-tripper he got from the Angels, but he said he understood the situation.

The Angels needed an extra starter just for the day and Lackey gave them seven strong innings, allowing three runs and six hits against a potent Rangers lineup in a 3-2 Angels loss. Immediately after the game, he was optioned back to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Lackey might be wise to keep a suitcase handy. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Lackey is ``pushing the door'' toward joining the starting rotation, but for now there is no need. None of the five Angels starters has a losing record, but that's not to say some haven't struggled.

Schoeneweis, who got hammered by the Rangers for eight runs Tuesday, has an ERA of 5.38. He has pitched out of the bullpen in the past. Another starter, Aaron Sele, and Scioscia acknowledge that Sele hasn't pitched as they expected. He's 6-5, but his ERA is 5.54 and opposing batters have hit .324 against him.

``I have confidence in all of the starters we have here now,'' Scioscia said. ``The five guys have done the job for the most part. Some have hit bumps in the road, but you only make a move if it makes you better. They're the reason why we're where we are right now. Right now, Lackey is best served pitching at Salt Lake.''

--Breaking in: Michael Young is in his first full season as the Rangers starting second baseman and the 1994 Bishop Amat High graduate already is in the record book.

He played in 106 games with the Rangers last season and teamed with shortstop Alex Rodriguez to hit the most home runs in a single season by a middle-infield combination in major-league history - 63.

Of course, Rodriguez carried the load, hitting 52 while Young hit 11. This season, Young is hitting .271 with seven homers and 36 RBI.

``The biggest thing about the big leagues is that it's such a mental grind,'' said Young, whose high school teammate Mike Lamb is also a member of the Rangers. ``I'd like to avoid the mental roller coaster, the hot and cold. If you find a way to maintain that consistency, the numbers will be there in the end.''

ANGELS vs. TEXAS

Time: 5:05 p.m. at The Ballpark in Arlington.

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

Matchup: Ramon Ortiz (8-5, 3.34 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Texas' Aaron Myette (0-0, 9.00). Myette will take the place of scheduled starter Kenny Rogers, who was scratched because of a stiff back. Ortiz hasn't lost since May 24 vs. Minnesota, winning his past four decisions. He ranks tied for second in the league in complete games (three), third in opponents' batting average (.214) and eighth in strikeouts (79).

- Joe Haakenson

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ANGELS vs. TEXAS (see text)