Eckstein Makes a Grand Exit

Somewhere under the mob of Angel humanity at the plate was 5-foot-8 David Eckstein.

A long day’s journey into evening ended in the 14th inning, when Eckstein was more Punch than Judy as a hitter for the second consecutive game. His grand slam brought the Angels back for an 8-5 victory Sunday and came a day after he hit his first career grand slam in another Angel victory.

Waiting for him this time was a wild reception committee of teammates. Eckstein disappeared into that mass, which was as taxing as the 5 hours 6 minutes of baseball he had played--the longest game in the major leagues this season.

“I got out of that pile as fast as I could,” Eckstein said. “I was thinking it was about time I did something.”

Yeah, it had been, like, nearly 24 hours.

As was the case Saturday, Eckstein was a bit reluctant in the glare. His teammates were manhandling him again in the dugout moments later, shoving him out, as what was left of the 25,073 at Edison Field demanded a curtain call after the Angels’ fourth consecutive victory.

“Eck is the man,” said center fielder Darin Erstad, who returned to the lineup after sitting out seven games because of a concussion.

Eckstein didn’t feel that way until the end. He was hitless in six previous at-bats. His weak flyout had stranded Adam Kennedy at second in the 12th inning.

He was placed in harm’s way again in the 14th. The Angels fell behind in the top of the inning, when Tom Wilson’s check-swing single landed fair, 10 feet behind first base, to score Jose Cruz for a 5-4 Toronto lead.

Troy Glaus led off the bottom of the 14th with a single. Tim Salmon, who had tied the score in the ninth with a home run, doubled. Two outs and an intentional walk later, Eckstein was on the spot.

“I’d had horrible at-bats,” Eckstein said. “I’d left Adam on second base with two outs and could have ended the game there. I didn’t. I was fortunate to get another opportunity.”

The unfortunate one was Pedro Borbon (1-2), who had given up Eckstein’s grand slam Saturday. This time, Eckstein golfed a 1-and-1 pitch, his drive just clearing the fence in the left-field corner, about three feet from where his grand slam had landed Saturday.

Eckstein said he has worked on getting around on inside pitches with hitting coach Mickey Hatcher in recent days.

The cramming paid off with two big moments, although Eckstein said this was not about to become habit.

“I think I’ll go back to hitting ground balls and getting base hits,” Eckstein said. “The nice thing is we got the win.”

It took work, as the Angels trailed three times. The Blue Jays capitalized on opportunities, scoring four of their runs with two out. Each time, the Angels responded.

Salmon, who was batting .158 before Sunday’s game, had a big part in the three rallies. He began the game on the bench. Erstad returned and Manager Mike Scioscia wanted to keep the hot-hitting Orlando Palmeiro in the lineup.

Salmon was sent to pinch-hit for designated hitter Brad Fullmer in the seventh and singled, advancing Garret Anderson to third. Scott Spiezio grounded out to score Anderson and Bengie Molina’s pinch-hit single drove in Salmon, tying the score, 3-3.

Salmon, who remained in the game as designated hitter, tied the score in the ninth with a leadoff home run, his second this season.

“Tim is expecting to have a day at the ballpark and watch,” Scioscia said. “Then Tim has to go in and has a big part in the win.”

Including mobbing Eckstein at the plate.