BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Rookie Curtis Has a Big Game

Angel Manager Buck Rodgers cut off the question in mid-sentence, knowing it concerned whether rookie Chad Curtis might have played his way onto the team Wednesday by stealing second, third and home in one inning, going three for five and driving in three runs in the Angels’ 17-9 drubbing of the Oakland Athletics at Phoenix.

“It’s definitely too early to write out the opening-day lineup, but he didn’t hurt himself at all,” Rodgers said after Curtis improved his average to .533 (eight for 15) and the Angels improved their record to 5-1. “To make this team, he has to do exactly what he did today: catch the ball in center field and provide some offense. He definitely gives us speed.”

“When you see a kid have a day like this, you get a little excited. He’s played pretty good every game he’s been in. It seems like he’s done something to contribute. Maybe he might be a little bit of an impact player, a spark plug.”

Curtis, who hit .316 for triple-A Edmonton last season and stole 46 bases, has fared well against major league pitchers. He hit Chris Bosio’s first pitch for a home run Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers and reached twice Wednesday against Bob Welch, on a first-inning single and third-inning walk. Curtis stole home in the third to give the Angels a 3-2 lead.

“I’m shooting for a starting job because I don’t think I’ll make the team if it’s not in a starting role,” said Curtis, whose wife, grandmother and uncle were in the stands Wednesday. “You’re going to have days like this, and they make up for those 0-for-4, 0-for-5 days. It’s a matter of staying consistent in between and producing runs.”

The Angels scored five runs in the fifth inning against Jim Deshaies and sent 14 batters to the plate in the sixth in scoring nine off nonroster pitcher David Zancanaro. Ron Tingley and Rene Gonzales also drove in three runs each.

Continued soreness in Chuck Finley’s left big toe will delay his first spring start and is jeopardizing his chances of taking his first scheduled turn this season. Finley, who underwent surgery in early December to repair a shattered bone in the toe, had discomfort Tuesday and did not throw Wednesday.

Tests on Luis Polonia’s sore left shoulder found nothing more than inflammation. He was given anti-inflammatory medication and will be re-evaluated this weekend. His status is day to day.