COLON BACK ON TRACK.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Bartolo Colon, who starts Game 2 of the AL Division Series tonight against Boston, won 18 games in his first season with the Angels, a success by most standards.

But it is awfully difficult not to wonder how good Colon could have been had he not struggled early in year.

Colon was one of owner Arte Moreno's high-priced free agent signings, the new $51 million ace of the pitching staff. But after winning his first two games and allowing just three runs in his first three starts, Colon unraveled in May with a 6.37 ERA. It got worse in June when he went 1-4 with a 7.99 ERA. He hit a low point in two starts against the Dodgers, allowing eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings on June 27.

``He was too anxious being on a new team,'' Angels catcher Jose Molina said.

Critics said Colon, who weighs around 270 pounds, was out of shape. But he adjusted, got control of his blazing fastball and turned a dismal year into a playoff season. During one stretch, Colon won six consecutive starts, beginning July 9 with a victory at Toronto. He has won 12 games since the All-Star break and is 18-12 with a 5.01 ERA.

``I feel pretty good, that I've been able to put behind the tough starts,'' Colon said through an interpreter. ``I'm even thinking about next year already, getting out on the right foot and helping this team win.''

Molina was Colon's personal catcher during the turnaround, which began with an impressive July (4-1 record and 3.48 ERA). He allowed 10 home runs in June but just five in July and five in August.

``It's been awesome,'' said Molina, whose contract expires at the end of the season. ``It's been amazing. Next year, if I'm here, that won't happen again. I won't let that happen. I'll push him to do what he did in the second half in the first half - pitch quick and throw strikes.''

Colon was at his best this season against Texas, going 6-0 including last Monday in Arlington. He might have pitched his most dominant and critical game against the first-place Rangers on July 27, when he allowed no runs and one hit in seven innings. A week earlier, the Angels lost left-hander Jerrod Washburn with a rib-cage injury that took seven weeks to heal.

``It means a lot to the ballclub, especially that I could take the ball and pitch well against a ballclub in our division,'' Colon said.

His win Friday meant a lot, too. The Angels beat the A's 10-0 and Colon pitched seven scoreless innings on three days' rest. Teammates say Colon seems more relaxed these days. He always has been reserved, speaking only to the media after starts through an interpreter.

``He's quiet. He's completely quiet,'' Molina said. ``He barely says anything. At the beginning of the year, that was probably the worst time. We don't know the way he was. We probably tried to approach him the wrong way. If he feels comfortable with you like he did the second half, he's going to trust you.''

Even Molina and his brother, Bengie, the Angels starting catcher, and Colon went through an adjustment process. Jose Molina said Colon was relying on his fastball to get out of jams and Molina wanted him to throw his changeup or breaking ball.

``I can't believe he got (18) wins the way he starts,'' Molina said. ``He's always positive. He always says, `Don't worry, Jose. Everything's going to be all right.' ''

``There's no doubt he could have 20 wins. He has too good of stuff. If I'm here, I know what I need to do behind the plate. He's going to trust us (catchers) more than he did this year. He'll relax better. I know if he starts strong, he's an easy 20-game winner.''

Staff Writer Gabe Lacques contributed to this report.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com