ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SLUMP FORCES SHAKEUP.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - With just 13 games left to erase a three-game deficit in the AL West and his offense again in an extended funk, Angels manager Mike Scioscia radically altered his lineup Monday. He dropped leadoff hitter David Eckstein to second, struggling No. 2 hitter Darin Erstad to sixth and gave top prospect Dallas McPherson his first career start, at third base.

``The message, as I told them yesterday, is you guys don't have to be Superman,'' said Scioscia, whose club suffered consecutive shutouts Saturday and Sunday and had been blanked four times in 12 games.

``It's obvious we need to make adjustments. We're playing a team we need to catch (Oakland) six more games. Our destiny is in front of us.''

Monday's lineup had Jeff DaVanon hitting leadoff and McPherson, who hit 40 homers between Double-A and Triple-A, starting at third and hitting eighth. But Scioscia said Chone Figgins, who got a day off Monday, will bat leadoff and Eckstein will remain at No. 2 once Garret Anderson (knee) can return to center field. Anderson was the designated hitter for a second consecutive game.

The moves were driven mostly by Erstad's struggles. He was in a 2-for- 25 slide since sitting out parts of two games last week with back spasms.

Anderson (0 for 15), Figgins (5 for 25), Jose Guillen (5 for 27) and Troy Glaus (6 for 36) also have struggled, but Erstad's woes hurt more because he hits in the No. 2 spot, which stifles Scioscia's ability to manage aggressively.

``Ersty at 50 percent is still pretty good. He's just physically banged up,'' Scioscia said.

Erstad is not looking for excuses.

``Everyone's grinding in September,'' Erstad said.

``It shouldn't stop me. I should still be able to perform. I've just stunk for a week.''

Eckstein last hit in the No. 2 spot on Oct. 6, 2001, and since then, he and Erstad have been mostly entrenched at the top two spots.

Eckstein was dropped to ninth for a brief period last year and Erstad hit sixth upon returning from a hamstring injury this year.

``We need to get Ersty into a spot where he can relax and swing the bat,'' Scioscia said. ``Ersty, hopefully, can re-find his stroke.''

--Eckstein grieves: Eckstein's thoughts were admittedly elsewhere Monday. His boyhood friend, John Williams, a 30-year-old Navy SEAL, was laid to rest in Sanford, Fla., after dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sept. 14.

Williams, whom Eckstein said served both in Afghanistan and Iraq, died in their hometown when his gun discharged. He said the death had not yet been ruled a suicide or accident. Eckstein and Williams also grew up with Army soldier Terry Tillis, who threw out the first pitch at Angel Stadium during ceremonies Sept. 11.

``You just don't know,'' said Eckstein, whose relationship with Williams dates to the first grade. ``You don't know if it's a suicide, if it's an accident. It's easier to go out and play than think about it. You think about what he'd want you to do.''

--Anderson on mend: Garret Anderson said tendinitis in his left knee has subsided some, and he should be able to return to center field today or Wednesday.

``I've just got to be careful running,'' Anderson said.

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DARIN ERSTAD

First baseman has been in a 2-for-25 slump since missing parts of two games last week with back spasms.