Scioscia Takes Cautious Road With Percival

NEW YORK —  Closer Troy Percival was “surprised” he did not warm up Wednesday night, when Tampa Bay put the tying runs on base in the ninth inning, or Thursday, when the Devil Rays had the tying run at the plate in the eighth.

Set-up man Francisco Rodriguez finished both Angel victories, getting out of his own jam Wednesday and throwing 1 2/3 innings and 24 pitches Thursday.

“I was waiting for the phone to ring,” Percival said. “It showed they have faith that Frankie will get out of whatever trouble he’s in.”

Could it also mean that the Angels have lost a little faith in Percival? Manager Mike Scioscia insists that’s not the case, saying that because of injuries to Percival’s elbow and lower back, which required an injection of a muscle relaxant last week, he’s trying to pace his closer to keep him healthy and fresh.

As part of that plan, it’s highly doubtful Percival will pitch three days in a row, and he won’t pitch four times in five days. Scioscia also doesn’t want to warm up Percival unless he’s definitely going into the game -- any energy expended in the bullpen could wear the right-hander down.

That’s why Percival pitched the ninth inning of Friday night’s 5-0 win over the Yankees. He warmed up in the top of the ninth with the Angels leading, 3-0. Garret Anderson’s two-run homer eliminated the save situation, but Percival still pitched.

“That’s him being cautious with me,” said Percival, who gave up a single in a scoreless ninth. “But whatever he wants, I can do. I can warm up if he wants. I’m OK to do that. This past week, I’ve just started to come around, and I feel pretty good.”

Percival’s fastball hit 94 mph Friday night, and his sometimes erratic curve hit the strike zone -- he struck out Hideki Matsui looking at a breaking pitch to end the game.

“Percy’s stuff was excellent,” Scioscia said. “We need him to maintain that.”

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The Angels will decide today whether Kelvim Escobar, hampered by a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand Tuesday at Tampa Bay, will make Sunday’s start.

Escobar, however, said he “doesn’t think there’s any doubt” he will pitch. “I’m pain-free now, and the finger is way better than I thought it would be,” he said.

If Escobar can’t go, relievers Kevin Gregg or Matt Hensley would probably make a spot start with the Angels calling up a pitcher from the minor leagues. Scioscia also wouldn’t rule out the possibility of reliever Scot Shields starting Sunday.

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Major League Baseball officials are continuing to investigate a July 27 incident in which Angel second baseman Adam Kennedy and Texas Ranger catcher Gerald Laird scuffled behind the batting cage, sparking a near-brawl involving the teams. A ruling on possible suspensions or fines is expected soon.... Scioscia said Bengie Molina, who hasn’t caught since July 31 because of a broken right index finger, would start behind the plate today.... The Angels’ Sept. 5 game at Cleveland, originally scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT, has been pushed back to 8 p.m. EDT to accommodate ESPN, which will televise the game nationally.