Bobby Abreu flourishing in Angels’ leadoff spot

Bobby Abreu has done more than give the Angels’ offense a jolt since moving into the leadoff spot.

The left fielder has also revitalized a season in which his numbers have uncharacteristically sagged, his .263 batting average and .356 on-base percentage before Saturday putting him on pace for career lows in a full season.

“It’s not the right numbers that you want,” Abreu said. “But still, there are more games to come and the [batting] average is starting to get higher a little bit.”

Abreu’s numbers are certainly on the uptick since Manager Mike Scioscia moved him atop the batting order; he was hitting .370 with four walks, three doubles, two homers and six runs batted in in his first 27 at-bats since the change.

More important, the Angels had won five of their first seven games with Abreu batting leadoff, including a triumph over Kansas City on Wednesday made possible by Abreu’s 10th-inning walk-off homer.

“Right now we really need his influence as a table-setter in our lineup,” Scioscia said, “and leading off is the best way to accomplish that.”

The biggest drawback to moving Abreu (14 homers and 65 RBI before Saturday) to the top of the order is the lack of run-producing opportunities for him when the Nos. 8 and 9 hitters are struggling. It could also further diminish Abreu’s chance to drive in 100 runs for an eighth consecutive season.

“I do want to get to 100,” he said. “Let’s see. There’s still more games and let’s see what’s going to happen.”

Confidence game

Scott Kazmir said he was “very encouraged” by his first two starts since coming off the disabled list last week. The left-hander has given up only two earned runs in 11 innings, a sharp contrast to the 11-hit, 13-run outing he endured against Oakland on July 10 before being sidelined for nearly a month with shoulder fatigue.

“I feel like all my pitches are working,” he said. “I’m actually throwing the pitches instead of thinking about them. It’s a good feeling.”

Kazmir said increased confidence has been a big part of his turnaround.

“I think that if I see a pitch in a certain location and I have a little bit of confidence,” he said, “then I’ll be able to hit that spot.”

Short hops

Scioscia said there was “a chance” Joel Pineiro could pitch again this year, though a more definitive timetable for his return from the rib-cage strain that has sidelined him since July 28 won’t be established until the right-hander resumes throwing. … The Angels’ September call-ups won’t be determined until after the team returns from its next trip a week from Sunday, Scioscia said. There could be an initial wave of promotions on Sept. 1, the first date rosters can expand to 40 players, and a second group of call-ups after Salt Lake’s season ends five days later, Scioscia said.

ben.bolch@latimes.com

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