Gaetti’s Into Swing of Things at Cleanup : Angels: Third baseman hits fourth for only second time this season, and responds with team’s first three-run homer of year.

ANAHEIM —  First, a few words of warning to Joe Vu, the voodoo doll that makes his home in Luis Polonia’s locker in the Angel clubhouse:

Joe, your days may be numbered.

At least Gary Gaetti thinks so.

“I might just take Dave Parker’s sledgehammer and take it to Mr. Vu,” Gaetti said. “All everyone talks about is ‘Mr. Vu, Mr. Vu.’ Mr. Vu’s going to get smashed.”

If Gaetti swings the sledgehammer Parker uses in the on-deck circle as well as the third baseman has his bat lately, then Vu’s in for some serious hurtin’.

Gaetti, batting cleanup for only the second time this season, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Angels beat Baltimore, 6-4, Sunday at Anaheim Stadium.

After the game, Gaetti sat on the dugout steps signing autographs when the subject of Mr. Vu, Polonia’s good-luck charm, came up.

Vu found his way into Angel starter Jim Abbott’s locker Saturday night. The result: Abbott won his first game of the season Sunday.

So why take a sledgehammer to the little guy?

“Well, maybe I won’t,” Gaetti said, laughing. “Anyway, this is all in fun.”

Polonia, whose fourth-inning triple drove in two runs, was relieved. Vu’s head has been spared--at least for now.

“I’ve got my man back (from Abbott),” Polonia said. “He’s working for me now.

“I might send him to Junior (Felix) next. Gaetti didn’t need him today. That’s for sure.”

All the inspiration Gaetti needed was a new spot in the batting order.

Gaetti entered Sunday’s game hitting .267 with two homers and 10 runs batted in. But he had only five RBIs in his past 16 games.

Angel Manager Doug Rader moved Gaetti to cleanup from his usual fifth or sixth spot before Saturday night’s 6-3 victory over the Orioles. He went one for four.

During nine seasons in Minnesota, Gaetti regularly batted cleanup against left-handed pitchers. So he was a logical choice Sunday against Baltimore left-hander Jeff Ballard.

“Gaetti’s in the right position in the order where he can produce for this team,” Rader said. “That’s where he ought to be, at least for right now.”

After grounding to short in the second, Gaetti found his favorite pitch in the fourth. With Luis Sojo on third and Wally Joyner on second, Ballard’s first pitch to Gaetti was a fastball.

Gaetti sent it 406 feet and over the center-field fence. It was the Angels’ first three-run homer this season.

“It was a fastball,” Gaetti said.

Ballard called it a mistake.

“I’m sure he was looking for the first fastball,” Ballard said. “I have to work on that.”

Gaetti also showed why he’s a four-time Gold Glove winner at third base.

With the Angels leading, 6-4, in the top of the eighth, Chris Hoiles hit a line drive that appeared headed over Gaetti’s head.

But the 6-foot Gaetti jumped, stretched, and came down with the ball.

“That’s just one of those things where it’s all reaction,” he said. “You can’t jump too soon on those (line drives) and you can’t jump too late.”

Gaetti’s defense, and offense, helped make a winner of Abbott, who had lost his first four decisions this season, and was 0-6 dating back to last year.

Gaetti’s three-run blast keyed a six-run fourth inning for the Angels, who were trailing, 2-0.

“I would have liked to give Jim a six-run lead in the first inning and then see what he can do,” Gaetti said. “In a close game, he needs some help from his teammates.”

He got all the help he needed from Gaetti on Sunday. And from Mr. Joe Vu.