ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SLUMPING OFFENSE A CONCERN.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It stopped short of a cry for help. But Wednesday, in the wake of his lineup's season-long inconsistency and a serious injury to third baseman Robb Quinlan, manager Mike Scioscia acknowledged the Angels need to augment their offense, possibly through a minor-league promotion or a waiver trade.

Quinlan, who had upped his average to .344, suffered a torn oblique before Tuesday's game and likely won't play again this season. That adds to the problem of the lineup being unable to develop continuity - even Vladimir Guerrero is struggling with a .259 average since the All-Star break.

So while Andres Galarraga, currently at Triple-A Salt Lake, is likely to join the club on or before the Sept. 1 roster expansion, the Angels could have something more potent and immediate in mind, either by trading for a player who's cleared waivers or promoting their top prospect, third baseman Dallas McPherson.

The Angels entered Wednesday ninth in the American League in runs and 10th in home runs.

``We're definitely going to look to some offense,'' Scioscia said before a 6-4 victory over Tampa Bay. ``We need to get more offense, get a deeper lineup. It's something we're concerned with.''

Last week, Scioscia intimated McPherson wouldn't receive a September call-up because there would be no role for the power-hitting third baseman. Quinlan's injury might have changed that.

McPherson hit two triples, homered twice and drove in six runs in Salt Lake's victory Tuesday. Between Salt Lake and Double-A Arkansas, he has 37 home runs and 114 RBI.

``Robb has definitely created a void we're going to try to fill,'' Scioscia said. ``Certainly a guy like Dallas will be considered.''

Although McPherson's raw defensive ability concerns the Angels, he'd be an upgrade over current designated hitters Tim Salmon and Jeff DaVanon, who has faded to a .306 on-base percentage in the second half.

And his power is more intriguing than most trade options. Infielders who reportedly have cleared waivers include Arizona's Shea Hillenbrand, Tampa Bay's Geoff Blum and Philadelphia's Placido Polanco.

--Injury update: Starters Jarrod Washburn and Kelvim Escobar both were encouraged by their health status, with Washburn shooting for a rehabilitation assignment by the end of next week and Escobar confident a blister on his right middle finger won't force him to miss Sunday's start at Yankee Stadium.

Washburn, out since July 21 with a strained rib cage ligament, reported no setbacks from a 5-minute throwing session Tuesday, his first off a mound since going on the DL. He hopes to pitch live batting practice Monday and be on a rehab assignment by about next Friday.

``I just have to worry about making pitches,'' Washburn said, ``and not worry if my chest will explode.''

Escobar used an ointment to harden the skin around his blister. He expects to go Sunday; if he can't, Scioscia ruled out Scot Shields as a spot starter because of his bullpen value. Kevin Gregg or Matt Hensley would be the likely in-house options.

But Escobar expects to pitch, driven as much by urgency as anything else.

``There's only six weeks left,'' he said. ``I would be very disappointed if something like that kept me out of the game.''

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- Gabe Lacques