Gil Flashes Some Offense but Defense Is His Forte

Shortstop Benji Gil couldn’t have timed his four-hit game against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday any better.

With second baseman Adam Kennedy due off the disabled list soon and current second baseman David Eckstein’s stock on the rise--so much so that Manager Mike Scioscia said Eckstein could play some shortstop when Kennedy returns--Gil’s outburst was a nice reminder that he can be a significant asset to the team.

But ultimately, it’s not Gil’s bat that will keep him in the lineup but rather his glove, his arm and his range. Though he did commit his first error Sunday, he also turned two double plays, one on a difficult pivot on Terrence Long’s grounder behind second base in the fourth inning.

“I’d like to think the perception of me defensively is that I’m solid--maybe not a Gold Glover, but a guy who is going to help us, not hurt us,” Gil said. “My concentration level defensively is better now than it’s been at any point in the past.”

If Gil were to slip on defense, he could slide right out of the lineup. And if he continues to struggle on offense against right-handers--he hit .202 against them last season, and Scioscia started Jose Nieves at short against the two right-handers the Angels have faced this season--Eckstein could start at shortstop against right-handers.

He has excellent instincts, good footwork and a quick release but does not have Gil’s range, arm or experience.

“We really like what Gil brings defensively,” Scioscia said. “What we’re looking for is someone who can play there a few times a week to keep Benji fresh and play solid defense. We’re not going to know if Eckstein can do that until we get him out there, but he’s shown the ability to achieve what people say he can’t achieve.”

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Tim Salmon has started in right field in five of the Angels’ six games, but he’s still not fully recovered from the strained stomach muscle that sidelined him for 2 1/2 weeks in March.

“I’m running well, but I don’t know if I can hit top gear yet,” Salmon said. “With certain things, I won’t know where I’m at until I do them.”

Salmon’s condition could force some difficult late-inning decisions for Scioscia. When Salmon is on base representing the tying run--as he was in the ninth inning of the season opener--does Scioscia pull his No. 3 batter for a pinch-runner?

Only two bench players, Orlando Palmeiro and Nieves, are considered decent runners, but Scioscia has to save Nieves for defensive purposes if he hits for Gil or Eckstein, and he likes to use Palmeiro as a pinch-hitter.

“Mike and I have talked about this, and if there’s someone on the bench faster than me, we’ll pinch-run in the right situation,” Salmon said. “But in most situations, I still think I have enough to get there.”

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The Angels faced four left-handed starting pitchers and two right-handers in their first six games. Catcher Bengie Molina started all four games against left-handers, and left-handed hitting Jorge Fabregas caught both games against the lefties.

Notice a trend? If so, it’s not what you think.

“This is absolutely not a platoon,” Scioscia said. “It was merely a coincidence how it’s worked out. Bengie will catch at least as much as he did last year, if not more. By pacing him at times, he was very productive.”