Two-Time Champ Eckstein Joins TinCaps for Series in West Michigan
Published on August 17, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - As the Midwest League playoff push continues to heat up, fans just got one more reason to come out and see the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Two-time World Series champion David Eckstein is expected to join the Fort Wayne TinCaps for their three-game series against the Whitecaps from Wednesday to Friday. After three rehab games at Fifth Third Ballpark, Eckstein is expected to rejoin the San Diego Padres for their series in Milwaukee that begins on Saturday.
The presence of the 35-year-old Eckstein gives Whitecaps fans the opportunity to see another big leaguer. Already this month, Detroit Tigers' infielders Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen have suited up for the 'Caps. Now, West Michigan will be playing against one.
Eckstein was hitting .279 with 20 doubles, 31 runs and 22 RBI in 78 games for the Padres before being placed on the Disabled List with a hamstring injury on July 7. A 10-year major league veteran that has seen time with five different teams, Eckstein's resume includes World Series championships with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2002 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. He was a National League All-Star in 2005 and 2006 and owns a career .282 batting average with a .346 on-base percentage, 683 runs, and 121 stolen bases in 1,273 games.
Eckstein and the TinCaps will try to slow down a red-hot West Michigan Whitecaps club coming off a dramatic comeback victory on Monday night. Despite trailing with two outs in the ninth, pinch-hitter Tony Plagman tied the game with a run-scoring triple and then scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch. The thrilling victory delivered a 12th consecutive win for the Whitecaps, tying a franchise record set in 1999. The 'Caps have won 17 of their last 20 games to leapfrog four teams in the standings and take a one-game lead over Lansing in the race for the Eastern Division's second-half Wild Card spot.
There are 20 games remaining in the regular season, and the Whitecaps are charging hard for a post-season berth.
With just 10 regular season home games remaining, the Whitecaps continue their second-to-last homestand of the season on Wednesday, August 18, with a 7:00 p.m. game against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Fifth Third Ballpark. RHP Luis Angel Sanz (2-5, 5.57) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Matt Lollis (2-1, 2.12) of the TinCaps. In addition to post-game fireworks presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, there will be a swearing in ceremony for new Marines before the game and it will also be Special Olympics Night. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.
Midwest League Stories from August 17, 2010
- Kernels Homestand Preview: August 18-24 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Two-Time Champ Eckstein Joins TinCaps for Series in West Michigan - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Bengals Game Tickets Now Available at Dragons Ticket Office - Dayton Dragons
- Whitecaps Surge Towards 2010 Finish Line - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Burlington Brew Fest at Community Field - Burlington Bees
- Bonus Bang For Your Buck Featured In Series With Beloit - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps 2010 Season Heading for an Historic Ending - Fort Wayne TinCaps
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