Eckstein Does Job for Angels

There is no second-base controversy in Angel Manager Mike Scioscia’s mind. When Adam Kennedy is fully recovered from a broken bone in his right hand, he will replace David Eckstein, who has filled in more than admirably in the team’s first four games.

There could be a shortstop controversy soon, though. If Eckstein keeps playing like he did Friday night, when he had three hits, two runs batted in and started a key seventh-inning double play to help the Angels to a 5-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics before 42,826 in Network Associates Coliseum, he could force his way into the lineup.

And Benji Gil, the shortstop who went hitless in five at-bats and struck out three times on a clammy and cool 51-degree evening, could be vulnerable.

Eckstein has been working out regularly at shortstop, and he will likely remain on the team as a utility player when Kennedy returns. Gil is a more accomplished defensive shortstop than Eckstein, but if Gil struggles offensively, Eckstein could see plenty of action there.

“I’m not going to rule anything out,” Scioscia said, when asked if he’d consider Eckstein as his regular shortstop. “I wouldn’t put it past him. There are some decisions to make, we’re trying to map out what’s best for the club, and Eckstein has opened some eyes.”

Eckstein, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound pepperpot who was claimed off waivers from Boston last August, gave the A’s fits from the ninth spot in the order, singling in the third, singling in two runs to cap a four-run fourth and doubling in the sixth.

But his biggest contribution may have come in the seventh. Trailing, 5-4, Oakland loaded the bases with one out when pinch-hitter Robin Jennings singled off reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa, Ramon Hernandez singled and Johnny Damon walked.

Rookie Jose Ortiz hit a sharp grounder just to the right of the mound, but Eckstein, positioned perfectly toward the middle, scooped it up and flipped to Gil to start an inning-ending double play.

Hasegawa walked the high wire again in the eighth, giving up a leadoff double to Jason Giambi before striking out Olmedo Saenz and Eric Chavez looking and Miguel Tejada swinging at a sweeping slider.

Closer Troy Percival, battling a driving rain that began in the middle of the ninth, struck out two of three batters in the final inning to save the victory for starter Matt Wise, who gave up four runs on six hits in six innings.

Angel Catcher Bengie Molina, who hit eighth Friday night, added two hits and three RBIs, meaning the bottom two batters in the order combined for five hits and all five Angel RBIs.

“Molina was one of our best clutch hitters last year, and Eckstein seems to be doing the right things at the right time,” Scioscia said. “We left a lot of guys on base, but thanks to some key at-bats by those guys, we won the game.”

Troy Glaus sparked the Angels’ fourth-inning rally with a one-out single off A’s starter Mark Mulder, Garret Anderson singled to center, and Glaus took third on Glenallen Hill’s fly ball to deep right.

Anderson stole second, and Scott Spiezio walked on a close full-count pitch to load the bases. Up stepped Molina, who hit .381 (eight for 21) with the bases loaded last season.

Molina came through again, grounding a single through the shortstop hole, inches beyond the glove of the lunging Tejada. Two runs scored for a 2-1 Angel lead, and both runners advanced when left fielder Damon’s throw caromed off catcher Hernandez and into foul territory.

Eckstein, who singled in the third, then curled a hard grounder inside the third-base bag and into left field for a two-run single and a 4-1 Angel lead.

The Angels countered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth when Giambi singled and Saenz ripped a 3-1 Wise pitch over the wall in left for a two-run homer, and the A’s trimmed it to 5-4 on Chavez’s RBI single in the sixth, but Hasegawa, Percival--and Eckstein--denied them the rest of the way.

Though Scioscia said Kennedy’s job is secure, the second baseman is feeling a little heat from Eckstein.

“Hopefully there’s room on the roster for both of us,” Kennedy said. “He’s shown he deserves to play, and I need to come back and show I deserve it.”