BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Curtis Shifted Into Leadoff Position

Center fielder Chad Curtis was moved to the leadoff spot Tuesday in an attempt to remedy the Angels’ offensive woes and is expected to remain for the season’s duration.

In order to make the move, Angel Manager Marcel Lachemann dropped third baseman Spike Owen to No. 2 in the lineup, and second baseman Damion Easley was moved to sixth.

The result?

The Angels finally ended their offensive drought, producing 10 runs and 17 hits, including five by rookie catcher Chris Turner, in a 10-3 rout of the Boston Red Sox.

“We’re at a point where we have to start forcing things,” Curtis said. “I look back at last year, and even though me and Luis (Polonia) got thrown out a lot, we forced things. We were unpredictable. No one knew what we were going to do.”

Curtis, who had 48 stolen bases but was caught 24 times last season, has not been given permission to steal whenever he wants this season. Yet, he is starting to regain Lachemann’s confidence.

“The things he does, even if they look irrational,” Lachemann said, “there’s a thought process behind it. It’s just a matter of channeling that in the right direction.

“There have been times that I haven’t agreed with the reason, but he’s always had a reason.”

Curtis, who is batting .249 with six homers, 29 RBI and 15 stolen bases, was originally supposed to be the Angels’ leadoff batter this season. Yet, after batting .149 with four RBIs the first 11 games, he was dropped April 16 from the leadoff spot and had not returned until Tuesday.

“This is the worst year I’ve ever had,” Curtis said. “I’d kind of gotten away from my approach, and things snowballed. I’m trying to get back to where I wanted to. I’m definitely not where I want to be yet, but I’m headed in the right direction.”

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Two young boys were injured in the ninth inning when the bat flew out of the hands of Angel shortstop Gary DiSarcina and landed in the seats. The boys suffered facial lacerations and were taken away on stretchers, but remained conscious.

DiSarcina provided the boys’ parents a bat, and first base coach Max Oliveras gave them an autographed ball.

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Angel first baseman J.T. Snow, who is batting .143 on the trip, lowering his season batting average to .183, was kept out of the starting lineup. Jim Edmonds moved to first base, and Bo Jackson played left field.

Snow is batting .063 on the road this season.

“We’re concerned,” General Manager Bill Bavasi said, “but we still have faith in his ability, and we’re trying to get it straightened out.”

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Angel batting coach Rod Carew on Curtis: “To me, he’s a guy like Bobby Bonds, Rickey Henderson and Devon White--a guy who can pop one. And he can steal a base. That’s what he brings to the club until we get someone else who can do that.”