David Eckstein Early Quotations

When I have two strikes, I feel free, ... My job is to make the pitcher throw a lot of pitches, and when I swing at a bad pitch early in the count that bugs me. Once I get to two strikes and I swing at a bad pitch, I don't mind it at all.

That's the one thing early in the season ... I wasn't being efficient to the pull side. I've gotten pitches, and I need to turn on them. If you ask Hal, I am hitting my best when I'm able to hit the hard line drive to left field. That's something we talk about and work on because if I hit that pitch well and stay on the pitch, I will hit the line drive to right field.

It was very important for us to go out there and set the tone early and find a way to get a win. Every game can change momentum. You definitely don't want to lose that lead.

Anyone, you want to try and put pressure on him as early as possible. He threw very well throughout Spring Training -- his last outing was his toughest.

It's something we preached from Day 1 (of spring training). But you've got to give a lot of credit to Mulder. He wasn't sharp early on and allowed some runners, but then he got the ground balls he needed for the double plays.