01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, February 22, 2006

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Mike Lowell, whose production slumped so badly last year that the Marlins forced the Red Sox to take him and his $9 million salary as part of the deal for Josh Beckett this winter, arrived in camp yesterday.

The third baseman couldn't run and hide from his miserable season, in which he slumped to a .236 average with only 8 homers and 58 RBI in 500 at-bats.

But Lowell, who will turn 32 this month, did say that, with Fenway Park featuring cozy dimensions and an inviting Green Monster, he expected to rebound in 2006.

"The fence is 25 feet shorter than what I'm used to," said Lowell, who hit at least 27 homers and drove in at least 85 runs in his previous three seasons, including career-high marks of 32 homers and 105 RBI in 2003. "I feel, as a pull hitter, it will cater to my swing a bit."

Lowell attributed his poor season to a slow start compounded by too many technical changes in his stance as he tried frantically to find his groove. It was an unsatisfactory season at the plate for him.

"I don't accept anything but what I'm capable of doing," he said. "When I feel I'm underachieving, I feel like I let my teammates down, but I also let myself down more than anyone else.

"I felt I was prepared, but it was something where a lot of things didn't work out. Chalk it up as a bad year and look forward to this year."

Lowell said he achieved a large measure of personal satisfaction by winning a Gold Glove, showing he didn't let his offensive struggles affect his defense.

Boston manager Terry Francona expects Lowell to bounce back.

"We won't hit him cleanup," said Francona. "We'll hit him lower in the order to take some responsibility away from him so he doesn't feel he has to carry the load. He showed up in great shape. That's not a surprise to me or the staff, but maybe it is to other people who feel he's on the downside."

Schilling taking it slow . . .

Curt Schilling threw his second bullpen of the spring.

And, while he didn't seem to be pushing off the rubber and exploding to the target with sizzling fastballs the way Jonathan Papelbon and Josh Beckett were doing on either side of him, the veteran right-hander insisted his surgically repaired right ankle is not an issue.

"I'm very comfortable with my footwork," said Schilling. "I'm not concerned. I'm just tuning up my pitches."

Schilling's stamina certainly isn't an issue. He threw for 19 minutes, about five minutes or so longer than those in his group.

. . . and so is Kapler

Gabe Kapler, who suffered a torn left Achilles tendon while running the bases last Sept. 14, was in camp yesterday. He had surgery soon after the injury. Yesterday, he was able to play catch with Trot Nixon.

Kapler didn't seem to be walking with a limp, but he said that though he's ecstatic about being back in camp so soon, he's going to listen to the training staff and try not to rush his return.

skrasner@projo.com / (401) 277-7340