ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SCIOSCIA OFFERS ANALYSIS, BUT GREGG DOESN'T BUY IT.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

HOUSTON - Angels manager Mike Scioscia says struggling reliever Kevin Gregg is overthrowing. Gregg says the opposite is true.

What's not in dispute is that Gregg, a key member of the Angels bullpen, is in a major slump. He gave up four runs and got just two outs in Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros. In his past three outings, Gregg has allowed 10 earned runs in three innings - a 30.00 ERA. In his previous 17 2/3 innings, he gave up just three earned runs.

Although Gregg's ERA is still a respectable 3.27, he figures to slip down the bullpen pecking order with Brendan Donnelly returning. He also could face pressure from Matt Hensley and Derrick Turnbow, who both have thrown the ball well.

But the Angels would prefer seeing Gregg rebound, and Scioscia thinks Gregg, a starter until this season, has concentrated too much on increasing his velocity since he doesn't have to throw so many pitches per relief appearance.

``He's probably trying to overthrow a bit,'' Scioscia said. ``It's good to see him hit 94, 95 (mph), but his game is hitting spots.''

--Fickle finger: Utilityman Shane Halter was placed on the 15-day disabled list to make room for catcher Bengie Molina, and he has the body art to show why.

Halter dislocated his left ring finger on a swing three weeks ago, a digit that's disturbed him for years. Instead of a wedding ring, his finger sports a tattoo of his wife's name, Jen.

Halter's finger long ago became too swollen from baseball to don a ring, so a year ago, he got the tattoo. But after the finger popped out of place, Halter tried playing through it and went 1 for 12. He finally acknowledged the injury needed some time to heal.

``Not being on the DL my whole career, for a finger, it appears petty and stupid,'' he said. ``But it's turned into something more, and I wish I fixed it sooner.''

Molina was back in the lineup for the first time since June 3, when a calf injury sidelined him. Scioscia said Molina likely will be limited to playing every other day for a while.

--Homerless: The Angels are still looking for their first home run out of the first base position, where Darin Erstad, Casey Kotchman and Robb Quinlan all have yet to leave the yard. The irony dawned on Erstad as he looked up at a clubhouse TV Saturday and saw Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo rounding the bases after homering.

--Practice makes perfect?: With his club held to three runs or fewer in eight of their previous 12 games, Scioscia canceled batting practice Saturday. The Angels responded with six runs and 13 hits.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

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- Gabe Lacques