ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SOFTER TOUCH KEEPS PERCIVAL EFFECTIVE.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

CLEVELAND - Troy Percival saved 36 games in 1996, perhaps his most dominant year as the Angels' closer because he struck out a career-high 100 batters in 74 innings. This year, Percival ranks fifth in the American League with 26 saves, but his accompanying statistics are stunning for a pitcher who long relied heavily on pure gas.

In 40 2/3 innings, Percival has just 28 strikeouts, a ratio more befitting a soft-tossing set-up man than a hard-throwing closer. But he has blown just one save since returning from the disabled list June 27, and Saturday's scoreless inning of work was a testament to the newer, softer Percival.

He topped out at 92 mph on the radar gun, but got Victor Martinez to pop to third on a changeup, retired Travis Hafner on a curveball clocked at 77 mph, and struck out Ben Broussard on a changeup clocked at 81.

Injuries to his elbow and back this season have hindered his velocity, but who ever imagined Percival still would be a viable reliever with finesse as his strongest suit?

``To his credit, he has worked tremendously hard on his changeup and brought the breaking ball back into the fold,'' pitching coach Bud Black said. ``I don't know if he reinvented himself, but he's doing what he can to be effective.''

Manager Mike Scioscia is determined to limit Percival's appearances, which is why he didn't pitch a third consecutive game Sunday, when Francisco Rodriguez closed a 2-1 victory. So Percival has responded by minimizing his pitch count. He got a four-pitch save at New York two weeks ago. Minus his best fastball, which he insists will return, he aims to work more efficiently.

--Guillen update: Jose Guillen was evaluated Sunday by team physician Dr. Craig Milhouse and will be examined today by orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum, but the club was mum on any results of tests administered to his right wrist. Scioscia indicated the condition may affect him for the long-term, but could be monitored and treated to enable him to play.