ECK WITH IT: SLAM, PART 2 ANGELS SHORTSTOP GRAND IN 14TH ANGELS 8, TORONTO 5.

Byline: David Felton Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - David Eckstein certainly will take grand slams in consecutive games, he just doesn't want Angels fans to come to expect them.

For the second time in as many games, Eckstein hit a grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays, this one coming with two outs in the bottom of the 14th inning as the Angels won 8-5 on Sunday in front of 25,073 at Edison Field.

``I don't think so,'' was Eckstein's response when asked whether grand slams were going to become part of his game.

But in less than 24 hours, Eckstein, the Angels' shortstop and leadoff hitter, has hit his only grand slams at any level.

``I was feeling good (rounding the bases),'' said a grinning Eckstein, who was mobbed at home plate by his teammates as what was left of the crowd roared. ``I tried to run out of (the mob).''

Toronto led 5-4 in the 14th when catcher Tom Wilson hit a check-swing blooper just out of the reach of first baseman Scott Spiezio, scoring Jose Cruz Jr. from second base.

But Troy Glaus began the bottom of the inning against Toronto's Pedro Borbon, the Blue Jays' sixth pitcher of the game, with a single and advanced to third on a double by Tim Salmon. Bengie Molina was intentionally walked one out later to set up the double play. Adam Kennedy then struck out, bringing up Eckstein.

``I was trying to make solid contact,'' Eckstein said of his approach. He was 0 for 6 to that point and left Kennedy at second base in the 12th inning.

``I was very disappointed in the at-bat before,'' he said. ``I'm very fortunate I got another opportunity.''

The game-winning grand slam was the Angels' first since Salmon hit one off Cleveland's Paul Shuey on April 4, 1997, and ended the game after 5 hours, 6 minutes.

``Eck surprises you, and he certainly surprised us,'' said Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who has seen his team win four consecutive games and improve to 10-14. ``Obviously, (consecutive grand slams) are rare, especially from a guy who makes his living playing little ball.''

Toronto's pitchers might take exception with that notion. Three of Eckstein's six career homers have come against the Blue Jays.

Eckstein's blast off Borbon was the second home run of the game when the Angels were facing a potential last at-bat. Salmon, who didn't start the game and came in batting just .158, homered off Kelvim Escobar to start the bottom of the ninth, tying it 4-4.

Salmon entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh, then replaced Brad Fullmer as the designated hitter. He singled in Anaheim's two-run seventh, doubled in the 14th and scored three times.

``Timmy came to the ballpark with the day off and ended up being a big part of the win,'' Scioscia said. ``He hit the ball hard three times.''

Eckstein agreed with Scioscia.

``(Salmon's) the real hero today,'' he said.

The bullpen did its job, too. Seven relievers pitched seven innings, allowing just two runs and seven hits. Mark Lukasiewicz earned the victory, his first decision of the season.

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The Angels' David Eckstein hits a game-winning grand slam in the 14th inning Sunday to defeat the Blue Jays 8-5 at Edison Field.

John Hayes/Associated Press