BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- "Mikey Lowell not playing -- that was a hard one for me," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said in his office in the clubhouse three hours before Game Two of the ALDS.

A bit earlier, the Boston lineup had been posted in the press box, showing Kevin Youkilis moving from first base to third in place of the injured Lowell, and Mark Kotsay stepping in to play first.

"I don't think we're ever a better team without him in the lineup," Francona said of Lowell, who played in pain in Game One because of a torn labrum in his hip, "but there were other things to think about. In this case, I needed to step in and be the manager. It was pretty obvious Mike was hurting when he was moving. I try to arrive at the right decisions, but this was a hard one."

What made it hard is not just that Lowell is a talented player -- he was the MVP of Boston's World Series victory over Colorado last year -- but also because he is a highly-respected, team leader.

Plus, as Francona noted: "He wants to play."

Lowell isn't any worse after playing the series opener, and Francona expects to have him back in the lineup for Game Three at Fenway Park on Sunday night, when the Angels will be starting left-hander Joe Saunders.

He may even pinch-hit in Game Two, although Francona indicated he wouldn't be likely to use Lowell in a situation where he'd have to run hard, such as with a runner on first and less than two outs, or as a defensive replacement in the late innings.

"I wouldn't want to put him in a situation where he can hurt himself," Francona said. "You're not playing a guy because he's hurting, and you shove him out there to play defense? That's not fair.

"Without giving away our strategy, if he fits a hitting situation where it's strictly hitting -- he doesn't have to leg out something -- I think he can help us win. But I would never put him in a situation that I think is unfair.

"He's doing pretty well. But it's my responsibility to keep the team going in the right direction. I have a lot of confidence in Mike Lowell. What he's battling is tough."