Eckstein Is a Hit Atop the Lineup

Shortstop David Eckstein doesn’t need his head examined--not yet.

But when he was plunked on the arm by a Kip Wells’ pitch in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, he moved into a tie for the American League lead for being hit by a pitch. Eckstein and Oakland’s Frank Menechino have been hit 15 times.

Nothing wrong with a leadoff batter getting on base by any means necessary, and Eckstein’s on-base percentage is .361.

But he denies having any premeditated thoughts.

“If you’re going up there looking to get hit, mentally, you’re mind is not where it needs to be,” Eckstein said.

This is nothing new for Eckstein. He was hit 25 times last season, playing with triple-A Pawtucket and triple-A Edmonton.

The previous season at double-A Trenton, Eckstein was hit 25 times, ranking him fourth in the minor leagues.

He is just three short of the Angel single-season record, held by Don Baylor (1978) and Rick Reichardt (1968).

“I stand close to the plate to cover the hitting zone better,” Eckstein said. “Pitchers work me inside and I get hit. This has been happening every season. That’s not a bad thing depending on the situation.”

But he’s not trying to get hit.

“With how hard guys throw? You could get hurt,” Eckstein said, then smiled.

First baseman Scott Spiezio was not in the starting lineup Wednesday for the first time in 25 games.

“I was only about 2,597 short of Cal Ripken,” Spiezio said. “I think Cal called and paid them off.”

Spiezio is hitting .337 since moving into the starting lineup. He had three hits and drove in two runs in Tuesday’s 9-3 victory. But Benji Gil was the first baseman and Shawn Wooten the designated hitter Wednesday.

Manager Mike Scioscia said that he wanted to give Spiezio a day off and with the White Sox throwing left-hander Mark Buehrle, the opportunity was right. Gil and Wooten are right-handed hitters.

Pitcher Scott Schoeneweis, who was scratched as Monday’s starter against the New York Yankees because of a stomach ailment, will start Friday against Toronto. Ramon Ortiz, who was scheduled to start Friday, will pitch Saturday.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

ISMAEL

VALDES

(7-6, 3.80 ERA)

vs.

WHITE SOX’S

SEAN LOWE

(6-2, 3.24 ERA)

Edison Field, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net.

Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090)

Update--Lowe is 3-2 with a 4.06 ERA since replacing the injured David Wells in the starting rotation.

Tickets--(714) 663-9000