ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SLUMPING KENNEDY SEEKING GOOD FEELINGS.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

SEATTLE - Several Angels aren't performing up to their capabilities offensively, but some can say in all honesty they are swinging the bat well but hits just aren't falling in.

Adam Kennedy doesn't even bother.

``I'm not one of those guys hitting it hard and it's not falling in,'' Kennedy said.

No, Kennedy said, he's merely feeling out of sorts at the plate, a feeling that's manifested itself in recent weeks. Kennedy came into Tuesday's game at Safeco Field in a 1-for-22 slide, his average falling from .333 after April to .265 entering Tuesday. His woes continued in the fifth inning, when he grounded into a double play to erase a leadoff walk.

``I'm more worried about feeling good at the plate,'' the Cal State Northridge product said. ``There's really nothing you can do besides put together that string of at-bats in a game. It's got to come in a game.''

Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher said it's a matter of Kennedy not trusting his mechanics, and that when Kennedy gets into a slump, he tends to make adjustments when they sometimes are not necessary.

As a result, he's struggled, and the bottom of the lineup hasn't pulled its weight the way it did in 2002, when Kennedy, hitting mostly ninth, had a career-best .312 season and No. 7 hitter Scott Spiezio hit a career-best .285.

``Last year, the strength of the lineup was guys in the bottom getting it going when the guys in the middle weren't,'' Kennedy said. ``To ask them to get it going every night is a little much.''

Kennedy said being a part-time player isn't a distraction, either, even though he's aware of when a left-hander is starting for the opponent, relegating him to the bench. Without prompting, he could tell you left-hander Jamie Moyer is starting Thursday for Seattle and Odalis Perez on Sunday for the Dodgers.

Fortunately for Kennedy, his defense, which seems to improve every year, again has been sound. He's committed just one error, on June 5, and he was the last American League second baseman to commit an error.

``In times like this, you try to make sure (defense) is sharp,'' Kennedy said.

--Callaway update: Mickey Callaway threw off a mound for the first time since going on the disabled list June 6 with shoulder tendinitis. He will throw again Thursday, and manager Mike Scioscia indicated Callaway soon could be ready for a rehabilitation assignment.

It remains to be seen whether a roster spot will be available once Callaway is healthy. The Angels have gone with 11 pitchers since center fielder Darin Erstad came off the disabled list June 8 and might not have the roster flexibility to keep Callaway, who is out of options.

``We're not at that point yet where we have to make a decision,'' Scioscia said.

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- Gabe Lacques