The LA Angels of Anaheim activated pitcher Jarrod Washburn from the 15-day disabled list and the lefthander started Friday's game against Seattle. Washburn, who had been on the DL retroactive to July 25, allowed four runs -- three earned -- and five hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The Angels scored five runs in the eighth inning to earn a 9-4 victory which moved the club into a tie with Oakland for first place in the American League West. The lefthander had been sidelined with a tendinitis in his left forearm. The problem caused Washburn to miss two starts before the club decided to put him on the disabled list. Washburn had lost three of his previous four outings and owns a record of just 6-6 this season, but he has pitched to an earned run average of 3.33, which ranks sixth in the AL. In other team news, the Angels optioned pitcher Chris Bootcheck to Triple-A Salt Lake. Bootcheck was 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five games (two starts) this season with the Angels. The Angels also placed catcher Josh Paul on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 8, with a sprained right thumb and recalled catcher Jeff Mathis from Salt Lake.