Seattle Mariners @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

Mariners salvage finale

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 15:53:00 +0000

07/19/2006
NEW YORK -- By the time Gil Meche emptied his arsenal of pitches on Johnny Damon on Wednesday, the Yankees leadoff hitter was still standing in the batters box, looking none the worse for wear.
Already 10 pitches into a vexing at-bat in the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium, Meche had no luck in running a fastball past Damon, nor did he have much success in trying to tempt Damon with a tantalizing slider, either.
It almost got to the point where Damon was simply flipping his bat at pitches he was not keen about, fouling them off until he got something he wanted.
"Your mind goes a little blank," Meche said. "When you throw seven, eight, nine pitches to a hitter, you don't know what to throw next. You get to a point where you just throw it down the middle."
So that's what Meche did, he floated a changeup right down the middle that Damon didn't get much of as he flew out to left for what would become an important out in Seattle's 3-2 victory over New York.
Meche's trying sixth inning -- where he threw 36 of his 112 pitches -- became the perfect metaphor for the team's six-game road trip through Toronto and New York that ended the same way it started, though there were plenty of hurdles in between.
Seattle (45-50) went 2-4 against the Blue Jays and Yankees, though all four of the losses were decided by two runs or less. To make matters worse -- or better, if you want to see how close the Mariners were to going, say, 4-2 -- three losses were extra-inning setbacks.
Much like Meche's duel with Damon, nothing came easy for the Mariners, who return to Safeco Field on Friday but not before enjoying a day off that will give Mariners manager Mike Hargrove's bullpen a much-needed rest.
Hargrove squeezed 2 2/3 innings out of rookie Mark Lowe, Rafael Soriano and his closer J.J. Putz to get Seattle its 45th victory of the season. Lowe -- who continues to impress by the minute -- got the last two outs of the seventh for his first Major League victory.
Soriano and Putz -- both who threw the day before in the Mariners' 5-4 loss in 11 innings -- weren't even going to pitch, but Hargrove needed them desperately to finish what Meche started.
"It was a game when you're on the edge of your seat the whole game," Hargrove said. "This has been a tough road trip. One break in any of those games and we could have won four of six. But these guys showed up. After last night it was good to see them show up."
It wasn't easy. The loss Tuesday -- well, early Wednesday morning -- came roughly 13 or so hours before the start of Wednesday's afternoon game on another hot day in the Bronx.
What the Mariners needed most was for Meche to work deep into the game. The way that the right-hander started, it looked like Seattle's relief corps might get the whole day off.
Meche -- who hasn't lost since May 30, a stretch of five victories and four no-decisions -- retired the first 13 hitters that he faced. He showed good command of his fastball, slider and changeup even though his best pitch, the curveball, worked infrequently.
"He came out throwing 95 and kept that up the whole game," Hargrove said of Meche, who was denied a chance at his 10th victory. "I started to go out there in the sixth ... to give him a breather. Sometimes, you have to let guys go. He didn't back down."
Meche allowed his first run in that sixth inning when Derek Jeter ripped an RBI single to center field to score Nick Green, who walked to start the inning.
Meche started the seventh inning, but departed quickly after allowing an infield single to Alex Rodriguez on a ball that glanced off his glove and then an RBI double to Andy Phillips to tie the score.
Hargrove went to his bullpen for left-hander George Sherrill, who got the only batter of the inning he faced out when pinch-hitter Miguel Cairo dropped down a sacrifice bunt that put runners at second and third base.
Enter Lowe, the unflappable rookie from Houston who, with now four games of Major League experience, struck out pinch-hitter Bernie Williams and got Kelly Stinnett on a routine fly ball to right-center field to end the inning and preserve the tie.
"My job is to get two outs and leave that guy at third," said Lowe, who started the season at Class A Inland Empire before making his way quickly through the Mariners' Minor League system. "That's what I did. I just focus on making good pitches and getting batters out."
Lowe's brief but successful outing, coupled with Soriano and Putz's work, gave the Mariners' offense time to chase Yankees starter Randy Johnson in the eighth inning, not that they had too much luck before then.
Johnson, the former Mariner, allowed solo runs in the first and fourth innings -- the last on Richie Sexson's 19th home run -- but little else, as the left-hander struck out 11 and walked one in eight innings.
It was in the eighth inning when Seattle scored the go-ahead run using what amounts to the polar opposite of Sexson's moon shot of a home run.
Enter Ichiro, who had two hits to that point, both clean singles. Facing Johnson, Ichiro topped a ball about four feet out in front of home plate that looked like a routine out in the making.
But Ichiro is no ordinary runner, as the legged out an infield single as Stinnett's throw to first base arrived a split-second late. Ichiro then stole his second base of the day and went to third base when Stinnett's throw skipped into center field.
Left-handed hitting Raul Ibanez then got enough of a Johnson fastball to send it out to left field, far enough for Ichiro to tag-up and scoring the go-ahead run easily.
"He's explosive. He really is," New York manager Joe Torre of Ichiro. "He does a lot of things to distract, make the catcher hurry the throw. Good arm. He's the full package, there's no question."

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Fans can donate equipment Saturday

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 15:48:00 +0000

07/20/2006
SEATTLE -- If the amazing weather forecast for this weekend isn't enough to get baseball fans to attend a Mariners game, there is one other reason to attend Saturday's contest. And it's for a good cause.
Prior to Seattle's game against the Red Sox at 1:05 p.m. PT, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will be accepting donations of new and used baseball equipment. All donations will be given to the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County.
To add to the donations by fans, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund will also award a grant of $5,000 to the local non-profit organization. Since it was founded in 1999, the BTF has given more than $9.5 million that has benefited almost 111,000 youths in more than 200 baseball and softball programs. The United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia have all benefited from the BTF.
Last season, Equipment Days across Major League Baseball raised $118,000 in new playing equipment and 5,000 used equipment items. Those proceeds were dispersed among 30 youth organizations.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, one of the largest branches in the nation, includes 12 full-service Clubs and 28 before- and after-school program locations. Annually it serves more than 18,000 youth members.
Presenting the check to the B&GC of King County will be BTF Executive Director Cathy Bradley. That ceremony will take place before Saturday's game.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Perez mentoring younger Mariners

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 15:47:00 +0000

07/20/2006
SEATTLE -- When the Mariners acquired Eduardo Perez from the Cleveland Indians on June 30, it was with the express intent he would serve the team as a right-handed hitting designated hitter.
In short, the Mariners wanted production from his bat -- not his mouth.
But following Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees, Perez has but 10 at-bats since joining the Mariners.
But that's not to say the well-traveled infielder hasn't made an impact on this new team -- it's just not where most people can see Perez's other value to the team: his presence inside the clubhouse.
In his short stint with the Mariners thus far, Perez has already become a de facto mentor to a handful of young players in the Mariners' clubhouse, like rookie center fielder Adam Jones, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and second baseman Jose Lopez.
Make no mistake, Perez wasn't brought to Seattle to mentor these 20-something players who are still cutting their professional teeth and doing it in the Major Leagues no less.
And no one sat Perez down after the trade and explicitly asked him to watch over these players, help guide or impart the wisdom that he's gathered during his career that started when he joined the then-California Angels in 1993.
Instead, Perez does all this on his own, offering a sympathetic ear to any player who is interested in talking or offering his opinion to anyone who wants to listen.
"I think this is my role," Perez said inside the clubhouse at Yankee Stadium earlier this week. "It was the role veteran players took with me when I came up to steer me in the right direction."
Perez, 36, is the first to admit that his situation is a little different, mostly because, unlike any of the players in the Mariners' clubhouse, he has a rich baseball pedigree.
"It was different for me, because I grew up in a clubhouse," said Perez, the son of Hall of Famer Tony Perez, who played in the Major Leagues from 1964-86 and later served two stints as a manager. "I grew up watching veterans take care of the young guys. When I came to the league, guys did that for me."
Perez counts former teammates Chili Davis and Barry Larkin as players who influenced him early in his playing career. Said Perez: "Every team needs guys like that."
Seattle has that in Perez, who recently sat down and talked with Jones -- the 20-year-old rookie -- in Toronto after Jones misplayed two fly balls that led to a big inning. Perez sat with Jones during an entire game in Toronto and talked. And he listened.
"Eddie Perez has been great," Jones said. "He's played for a long time and he knows the grinds about the game. He told me to have fun and that you can't win a game on one at-bat. Do what you do best and let everything else settle in."
One of the primary points Perez shares with young players is that mistakes are a part of the game, and that you can't be tentative because of them.
"I tell the young guys they do belong here and that they will make mistakes," Perez said. "But you have to learn from them. That's the key. No one is perfect. The more baseball you see, the more they learn from their mistakes. That's what I want them to learn."
Because his playing time has been infrequent for Perez -- he shares the designated hitter duties with Carl Everett, who gets the bulk of the playing time because he plays against right-handed pitchers -- Perez will often float around during a game to talk to players.
"I'm 36, and since I don't play every day, I have time to help Adam [Jones] or Betancourt," Perez said. "I guess I'm just trying to help them realize this is a tough league and to help them make adjustments.
"Sometimes guys don't want to hear the truth. But these guys are good. This is a good clubhouse."

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Baseball has a long history in Seattle

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 15:45:00 +0000

07/20/2006
SEATTLE -- The history of professional baseball in Seattle is a far-reaching and rich one. Sure, everyone knows about the Mariners and their recent success. But how many people know about Dan Dugdale, a man who has been referred to as the father of Seattle baseball?
Many other people know about the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. What those people may not realize, though, is that the world-renowned research center was named for a man who was named the Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News in 1938. Hutchinson, or "Hutch" as he was referred to by many, won 25 games at the age of 19 for the Seattle Rainiers that year.
Just recently, the Mariners on July 9 honored a team of Seattle's past -- the Pilots, a team that spent one ill-fated year in the Major Leagues. But that wasn't the first taste of big-time baseball for Seattle, and Mariners fans know it certainly wasn't the last.
The following is a brief look back at the teams, people and events that have helped to shape the game of baseball in the city of Seattle as it is known today.
Much of the information for this article and all of the historic pictures in the accompanying photo gallery were provided by the David Eskenazi Collection and can be found in a book titled Rain Check: Baseball in the Pacific Northwest. The photo gallery also includes photos of the current status of the sites of home fields of Seattle's baseball past.
PRE-SEATTLE RAINIERS
To tell the story of professional baseball in Seattle prior to the Seattle Rainiers is to tell the story of Dan Dugdale.
Although pro ball officially entered the city in 1890 with a team called "the Seattles," Dugdale's ties to baseball began six years before that in his hometown of Peoria, Ill. From 1884-95, Dugdale used his above-average talent as a catcher to play for 20 different teams in 13 different states.
In 1898, Dugdale arrived in Seattle seeking fortune from the Klondike Gold Rush. It only makes sense then that the first team he helped to build was the Klondikers. Later called the Rainmakers, Clamdiggers and Chinooks, the Klondikers were one of the pioneering teams in the Pacific Northwest League that became fully functional in 1901.
Keeping a baseball league in business at that time was no small feat, especially when there were other leagues competing for players and popularity. Dugdale was bought out in 1904 by the Seattle Siwashes of the Pacific Coast League and agreed to manage the Portland team in that league.
Then in 1907, Dugdale returned to Seattle and aligned the Siwashes with the Northwestern League. He also built Yesler Way Park on the corner of 12th Avenue and Yesler Way that year. While playing in that facility, the Siwashes were renamed the Turks and won the league pennant in 1909.
After another renaming, this time to the Giants, Dugdale again invested in a new stadium. Dugdale Park was located in Rainier Valley and was the first double-decker stadium built on the West Coast. The ballpark opened its gates in 1914.
In all, Dugdale's teams won five pennants and produced many future Major League players.
Then, in 1919, the Pacific Coast League returned to Seattle and formed a team called the Rainiers. The team was renamed the Indians two years later and won the first PCL championship for the city of Seattle in 1924.
Tragically, Dugdale Park was burned by an arsonist in 1932 on the Fourth of July. The act forced the Indians, who had previously called that park home, to move to Civic Stadium. Located where Memorial Stadium stands today, Civic Stadium was known for its concrete-hard infield and large wooden light poles that were in play if struck by a ball.
The next few years were tough ones for baseball in Seattle. It wasn't until 1937 when a man named Emil Sick came along that things started to turn around again.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Positive outlook drives Dobbs

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:18:00 +0000

03/03/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- In the winter of 2004, Greg Dobbs could have sat at home in Southern California feeling pretty good about his chances of making the following season's Mariners as a backup corner infielder.
He didn't, and it turned out to be a good thing.
The team unloaded $114 million on multiyear contracts for slugging first baseman Richie Sexson and third baseman Adrian Beltre, leaving Dobbs with an outside shot at the club that he took advantage of in Spring Training.
This year, Dobbs is even more of a longshot.
He's 27 years old, he's not on the 40-man roster anymore, and young hitting prospect Mike Morse has readied himself for more of a utility role, meaning Dobbs might very well start the season in Triple-A Tacoma.
But could that be a good thing, too?
"It might be," Dobbs says. "The way I look at the whole situation is that it has to be taken in a positive way. If I make the club, great. I want to be a part of the team here, because I think we're moving in the right direction.
"If I don't make it, I'll work hard, hopefully in Tacoma, to be ready if they need me."
That type of attitude has enabled Dobbs to help the Mariners when he's gotten the chance.
His stats with Seattle -- he hit .246 with one home run and 20 RBIs in 59 games -- weren't great last year, but he had a career-high 10-game hitting streak in September when given the chance to play a lot and had three doubles and five RBIs as a pinch-hitter.
"I feel like I bring something to the team that they can use," Dobbs says. "I'm a left-handed bat off the bench and I can play good defense."
Dobbs certainly has so far this spring.
While playing third base in last Saturday's intrasquad game, Dobbs drew applause across the diamond by bare-handing an excellent bunt by Willie Bloomquist and throwing out the speedy runner at first.
And in Thursday's charity game against the Padres, Dobbs started at third and made several tough plays look routine.
With Beltre having departed camp to join the Dominican Republic team for the World Baseball Classic, Dobbs has yet another chance to show the Mariners what he can do.
As he says, that's nothing new.
"This is the situation I'm in every year," Dobbs says. "It's always a challenge, and I'm always motivated. You just never know what happens in this game, the way rosters change, the way offseason acquisitions push guys out and move guys around.
"That's the nature of this business and I understand it. It gives me something to shoot for."
This year is a bit different, though.
Dobbs was designated for assignment over the winter, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Tacoma, meaning he had to secure a non-roster invitation to be with the club in Spring Training.
If he does start the season on the Triple-A team, he figures to feel pretty comfortable.
Dobbs hit .271 with eight homers and 31 RBIs in 67 games for Tacoma in 2004, then hit .321 with three homers and 22 RBIs in 50 games there last year.
"If I'm in Tacoma, I'll be able to play every day," Dobbs says. "I'll put up numbers down there and I'll be fresh and prepared to come help this team."
Hitting coach Jeff Pentland says that's the outlook Dobbs needs to have.
"Greg's a solid human being," Pentland says. "Obviously nobody wants to lose the opportunity to play in the big leagues, but all you can control is what you do on the field and how you handle yourself.
"And he's battling his butt off for whatever he can come up with."
With most of the Spring Training schedule ahead of him, Dobbs enters that battle with what he calls a positive frame of mind.
"My situation doesn't change my focus," Dobbs says.
"I still think I can play at the big-league level."

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Notes: Foppert impressive in start

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:16:00 +0000

03/04/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Right-hander Jesse Foppert, most likely competing for a bullpen/sixth-starter spot, cruised in his first spring stint, a two-inning outing to start the Saturday afternoon game against the Padres.
Foppert didn't give up a hit, struck out two batters and walked one. For a guy coming off a season in which he recovered from Tommy John surgery, it was an encouraging showing.
"I feel great," Foppert said. "Compared to last spring, it's night and day."
Foppert, 25, came over to the Mariners last July in the Randy Winn trade and put up decent numbers for Triple-A Tacoma after he was cleared to throw following 11 1/2 months of rehab. He had a 2.57 ERA and struck out 13 batters in 14 innings.
This spring, he's been working on a new changeup to go along with his low-90s fastball, slider and split-fingered fastball, and he said he's been working with pitching coach Rafael Chaves on staying back longer and "standing a little taller" on the mound.
On Saturday, he breezed through the heart of the Padres' order, striking out Dave Roberts and retiring Brian Giles, Ryan Klesko and Khalil Greene in order.
"I was real pleased with how he threw the ball," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said. "He was down in the strike zone and threw well."
Also in the game: Despite the second straight lopsided result on the scoreboard, this one a 17-4 loss, there were some highlights for the Mariners on Saturday afternoon, mostly on the defensive end.
Center fielder Jeremy Reed made a nice catch against the wall in the second inning to rob Greene of extra bases. Mike Morse looked solid at third, running up the line to make an over-the-shoulder grab of a Doug Mirabelli foul popup in the second and snagging a hot liner off the bat of former Mariner Justin Leone in the fifth. Catcher Kenji Johjima got his first hit of the spring and threw out Leone, who was trying to steal in the third.
Hargrove also lauded the fact that the Mariners got 14 hits, although he said he felt the team could have scored two or three more runs. The Mariners left the bases loaded in the second inning, stranded runners on second and third in the third and left a man on third in the fifth inning.
"B" sides: The Mariners played their second "B" game in as many days, squaring off against the Padres on Field No. 1 at 9:30 a.m. MT for five innings. The Padres won, 4-0, with the Mariners only getting one hit, a first-inning single by Adam Jones against San Diego starter Woody Williams.
Otherwise, the most notable event of the game -- at least to Hargrove -- occurred with one out in the fifth inning, when right fielder T.J. Bohn caught a fly ball with the bases loaded and tossed the ball back in as if it was the third out.
The Padres scored two runs after the gaffe and Hargrove dressed down the team in the dugout, saying there's no excuse for not knowing how many outs there are and that Bohn wasn't the only one who was accountable.
Hargrove said it wouldn't be wise to read too much into the fact that shortstop prospect Matt Tuiasosopo played the B game at third base.
"It doesn't mean there are plans for him to move to third base," Hargrove said. "There was no motive other than I needed a third baseman."
Ichiro update: Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, currently leading off for the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic, went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run in Japan's 14-3 win over Chinese Taipei on Friday night. He's now 2-for-10 with three runs in two games, both healthy Japanese victories.
Meanwhile, Ichiro is officially coming to town. Japan and Korea are 2-0 and have clinched spots in the second round, and both teams will train in Peoria beginning next week, with Ichiro and Japan playing the Mariners in an exhibition game Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. MT in Peoria Stadium.
Mariners log: Reliever J.J. Putz (lower back spasms) is on target for a 40-pitch bullpen session Sunday. ... Catcher Rob Johnson (lower back spasms) worked out Saturday and could be in a game soon. ... Second baseman Fernando Vina is still being held out of workouts with a strained right hip flexor. ... Left-hander Cesar Jimenez has a mild strain of the left hamstring but played long toss Saturday. ... Outfielder Wladimir Balentien has a strained right hamstring but will continue to participate in workouts, although he's currently not available for games. ... Mariners Minor League camp will have physicals for pitchers and catchers Monday and will open workouts Tuesday. The first full-squad workout is next Saturday. ... Mariners announcer Ron Fairly collected his third career hole-in-one over the winter, acing the par-3, 185-yard third hole at Desert Horizons Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif. Oddly enough, it's the second straight winter that Fairly has aced the same hole, both times using a 5-iron.
Coming up: The Mariners will flip around Sunday and be the "visitors" in Peoria Stadium in another game against the Padres, who will be the "home" team. The game, set for 12:05 p.m. PT, will feature the spring debut of new Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, who will be followed by righty Francisco Cruceta, Renee Cortez and Jeff Heaverlo.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Foppert starts well in Mariners loss

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:15:00 +0000

03/04/2006
Padres at the plate: The Padres erupted for six runs in the sixth inning, putting away what was a relatively close game, and the big blow came off the bat of catcher Doug Mirabelli, who blasted a three-run home run off Mariners righty Scott Atchison. Mike Cameron was 2-for-2 with an RBI, Ryan Klesko had a single, a double, a run scored and an RBI. Josh Barfield hit a two-run triple in the seventh. Freddy Guzman had a double, a triple and three RBIs.
Mariners at the plate: Mike Morse, starting at third base, went 3-for-3 with an RBI double. Roberto Petagine, the first baseman, had three hits, including the hardest-struck ball of the game, a scorcher of a line drive that bounced off the Whataburger sign on the right-field wall and limited the not-so-fleet-of-foot Petagine to a single. Jose Lopez hit Seattle's only homer of the game, a solo shot to left off Doug Brocail in the sixth. Oswaldo Navarro added a triple.
Padres on the mound: Padres starter Brian Sweeney bent a little but didn't break, pitching 1 2/3 innings and giving up three hits and two walks but no runs. Sweeney was bailed out by Mike Thompson, who came in with the bases loaded and two out in the second and got Jeremy Reed to ground out.
Mariners on the mound: Starter Jesse Foppert looked good, pitching two shutout innings and not allowing a hit while striking out two batters and walking one. Atchison's first outing of the spring wasn't pretty. He gave up eight runs on nine hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief.
Cactus League records: Padres 1-1; Mariners 0-2.
Up next: The Mariners will flip around Sunday and be the "visitors" in Peoria Stadium in another game against the "home" Padres. The game, set for 12:05 p.m. PT, will feature the spring debut of new Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, who will be followed by righties Francisco Cruceta, Renee Cortez and Jeff Heaverlo. The Padres will start Dewon Brazelton, and he'll be followed by right-handers Seth Etherton, Cesar Carrillo, Trevor Hoffman, Scott Linebrink and Clay Hensley.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Tuiasosopo making his own name

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:14:00 +0000

03/05/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Matt Tuiasosopo comes from a Seattle-area football family. His father, Manu, was a Seahawks star, and his brother, Marques, was a legendary University of Washington quarterback who made it to the NFL.
Matt, 19, decided to play baseball and it served him well when the Mariners selected him as a shortstop in the third round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. With Yuniesky Betancourt penciled in as the Mariners' starting shortstop for years to come, other prospects have been moved from short, but Tuiasosopo will stay there for now.
That seemed questionable Saturday when Tuiasosopo played the Mariners' "B" game against the Padres at third base, but manager Mike Hargrove insisted it didn't signal anything close to a permanent change.
Still, Tuiasosopo will continue to work out at third here and there and might play some games there this upcoming Minor League season.
On the move: Adam Jones has been playing a lot and doing a lot on the field. The Mariners' first-round pick from 2003, who has been converted from shortstop to center field, played in both "B" games Friday and Saturday and both regular afternoon games. Jones had the only hit against the Padres in the six-inning "B" matchup Saturday afternoon, a single against Woody Williams. He is likely to start the season in Double-A.
On the pine: Catcher Rob Johnson (lower back spasms) worked out Saturday and could be in a game soon. Left-hander Cesar Jimenez has a mild strain of the left hamstring but played long toss Saturday. Outfielder Wladimir Balentien has a strained right hamstring but will continue to participate in workouts, although he's currently not available for games.
Names in the game: Minor League pitching coordinator Pat Rice, in his seventh year in his position with the Mariners, pitched in the Mariners organization from 1986 to 1992. Rice made his Major League debut May 18, 1991, in Yankee Stadium and was a 4-1 winner. He did not allow a run over his first 13 innings, establishing a club record for scoreless innings to start a career.
They're No. 1: Five of the Mariners' No. 1 draft picks are in camp. Last year's No. 1 selection, catcher Jeff Clement, will likely start the season at Class A or Double-A. Tuiasosopo finished last season at low Class A Wisconsin and has a shot at Double-A this year. Jones, the team's 2003 pick out of high school, will start in center at either Double-A or Triple-A. Reliever Matt Thornton (1998) is a likely addition to the Major League bullpen and Gil Meche (1996) is in the Mariners' starting rotation.
Class of '05: Last year's first-round pick, Clement, is the only 2005 draft alumnus in Mariners' big-league camp. Their second selection (fourth round), left-hander Justin Thomas, will join Minor League camp when it opens.
What they're saying: "It doesn't mean there are plans for him to move to third base. There was no motive other than I needed a third baseman." -- Hargrove on Tuiasosopo

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Washburn allows one run in first start

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:13:00 +0000

03/05/2006
Mariners at the plate: Richie Sexson had a pair of singles. In a three-run fifth inning, center fielder T.J. Bohn singled home a run and Roberto Petagine had a two-run pinch-single. Catcher Rene Rivera had two doubles and two RBIs.
Padres at the plate: Rookie Josh Barfield drove in four runs with a pair of doubles, breaking open a 3-3 game with a two-out, three-run double in the sixth against Renee Cortez, who surrendered a two-run homer to Mark Bellhorn in the fifth. Free-agent outfielder Eric Valent had two RBI singles and Paul McAnulty crushed a two-run double.
Mariners on the mound: Starter Jarrod Washburn walked two, gave up two hits and a run, striking out two in two innings. Right-hander Francisco Cruceta pitched two scoreless innings, striking out one while giving up a hit and a walk.
Padres on the mound: In his first test with his new club, starter Dewon Brazelton breezed through six hitters in two innings, striking out Sexson with a changeup. Rule 5 acquisition Seth Etherton followed with two perfect innings.
Cactus League records: Mariners 0-3; Padres 2-1.
Up next: The Mariners host the Brewers on Monday at Peoria Stadium. Bobby Livingston is scheduled to start, but Kevin Appier could move up and start. The Padres play the Royals in Surprise with Shawn Estes making the start, his first of the spring after going two scoreless innings in a charity game against the Mariners.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Notes: Meche to miss start, maybe more

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:12:00 +0000

03/05/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Gil Meche cruised through his one inning of last Tuesday's intrasquad game, but one of his last pitches ended up costing him at least one spring start.
On that pitch, which was hit for a single by Matt Lawton, the right-handed starter said he felt a twinge of pain in his left side as he strode off the mound.
It was diagnosed as an oblique strain, and Meche tried to work through it, throwing a bullpen session and playing catch as recently as Friday, but the strain persisted.
The team's training staff decided to back off, and the plan right now is for Meche to not touch a ball for three days. He will be re-evaluated after that and could begin throwing again if everything checks out. The best-case scenario would most likely have him out of games until Saturday.
"It doesn't hurt, but it's soreness," Meche said. "It's something they want me to take my time with."
Head trainer Rick Griffin said oblique strains can often be tricky and sometimes end up being injuries that keep players out for months. He said Meche's situation isn't nearly that serious right now, which is why the team is taking the conservative approach.
"We're not going to take any chances," Griffin said. "He can do a lot of things right now. Gil was able to throw a bullpen at about 70 percent and felt OK. That's a good sign."
Meche said Sunday that he's already starting to feel better. He said his pool work was a lot easier than it was even two days ago.
"I want to get on the mound," Meche said.
"But if I try to get out there and push it and end up tearing or ripping something, it'll end up being bad."
Washburn wings it: Jarrod Washburn, the Mariners' $37.5 million man, made his first appearance of the spring, starting Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres and tossing two innings of two-hit, one-run ball. Washburn walked two batters and struck out two.
"I don't put much stock in how I do in Spring Training," Washburn said. "I don't want to get crushed, but the important thing is to build arm strength and stamina. ... I really didn't want to walk two guys, but it happens."
Washburn worked with Kenji Johjima for the first time and walked away impressed with the catcher's skills behind the plate.
"We worked well together," Washburn said. "I didn't shake too much. He seems to have his head in the game and he knew what I wanted to do out there."
Carvajal to start? Right-hander Marcos Carvajal, who came over from the Colorado Rockies in the Yorvit Torrealba trade in December, is slated for a three-inning outing in Tuesday's game.
Manager Mike Hargrove said the team is considering using Carvajal as a starter, although the 21-year-old has started only five games in his pro career and none since 2002 in the Gulf Coast League. Carvajal made 39 relief appearances for Colorado last year.
"Three innings is a natural progression for any pitcher in the spring," Hargrove said. "But we're looking at him as a possible starter."
Ichiro update: Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, currently leading off for the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic, went 1-for-3 with a walk in Japan's 3-2 loss to Korea on Saturday night. He finished the first round 3-for-13 (.231) with three runs and hit safely in all three games.
Japan and Korea, the teams that advanced from the Asian pool, were 2-1 in the first round. Both teams will train in Peoria beginning next week, with Ichiro and Japan playing the Mariners in an exhibition game Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. in Peoria Stadium. Clint Nageotte will start for the Mariners and will be followed by Luis Gonzalez, Dave Burba and Emiliano Fruto.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Ichiro when they get here," Hargrove said. "It'll be nice to see him."
Mariners log: Reliever J.J. Putz (lower back spasms) threw a 41-pitch bullpen session and reported no pain after using his entire repertoire. Putz is set for a one-inning stint in Wednesday afternoon's game against the San Francisco Giants. ... Catcher Rob Johnson (lower back spasms) has been "turned loose," according to Hargrove. Johnson was set to catch bullpen sessions Sunday and could appear in Monday's game against the Brewers. ... Second baseman Fernando Vina (strained hip flexor) is still "a few days away," Hargrove said. ... Left-hander Cesar Jimenez has a mild strain of the left hamstring but is scheduled to throw a bullpen Monday. ... Left-hander Bobby Livingston was out Sunday because of a stiff neck. ... Outfielder Wladimir Balentien has a strained right hamstring but will continue to participate in workouts, although he's currently not available for games. ... Washburn has been taking heat from teammates over Willie Bloomquist's career numbers against him (11-for-23, two doubles, a triple, two walks and two RBIs), so Washburn used Bloomquist's bat in pitchers' batting practice. "I know this thing's got a lot of hits in it," Washburn said. "They're all off me."
Coming up: The Mariners stay home Monday to take on the Milwaukee Brewers in Peoria Stadium at 1:05 p.m. Arizona time, or 12:05 p.m. PT. Livingston is scheduled to start, but his neck condition could change things. Livingston was scheduled to be followed by Kevin Appier, Matt Thornton, Jake Woods and George Sherrill. Regulars slated to be in the lineup include Jeremy Reed, Yuniesky Betancourt, Raul Ibanez, Richie Sexson, Carl Everett, Jose Lopez and Johjima.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Sexson continues to shine in win

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:11:00 +0000

03/06/2006
Brewers at the plate: Brent Abernathy came through in the clutch, stroking a two-out, two-RBI single in the second inning to give the Brewers their first two runs. Geoff Jenkins got on base twice, once via a single and the other when he was hit by a pitch. Jeff Cirillo and Brady Clark had singles. Wisconsin native Vinny Rottino tripled in two runs in the eighth. Anthony Gwynn hit a two-run homer in the ninth to make it 8-7.
Mariners at the plate: Richie Sexson continued his torrid spring by going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. Sexson is now 6-for-7 in Cactus League play. Raul Ibanez had two hits, including a two-RBI single in the third inning. Jeremy Reed had a single, a double and two RBIs. Jose Lopez hit an RBI double in the fourth.
Brewers on the mound: Starter Chris Capuano had a rough outing, not getting an out in the third inning and giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits with two walks and a wild pitch. Lefty Dana Eveland allowed three runs on four hits and a walk in the fourth.
Mariners on the mound: Matt Thornton started in place of Bobby Livingston (stiff neck) and gave up two runs on four hits in two innings. Kevin Appier turned in his best outing of the spring, tossing three scoreless innings and not giving up a hit while striking out two.
Cactus League records: Brewers 4-2; Mariners 1-3.
Up next: The Mariners take their first spring road trip Tuesday to take on the Milwaukee Brewers in Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix at 12:05 p.m. PT. Felix Hernandez makes his second spring start and will be followed by right-handers Rafael Soriano, Julio Mateo and Marcos Carvajal. Regulars in the lineup should include Jeremy Reed, Raul Ibanez, Richie Sexson and Jose Lopez. The Brewers will start right-hander Tomo Ohka and will also pitch Justin Thompson, Ben Hendrickson, Zach Jackson, Justin Lehr, Chris Demaria and Derrick Turnbow.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Notes: Outing has Appier encouraged

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:10:00 +0000

03/06/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- After Kevin Appier's first spring outing, an intrasquad game in which he gave up four runs on five hits in one-third of an inning, the veteran starter cracked that if his arm speed didn't return soon, he could be found on his yacht.
In Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the 38-year-old proved there might still be some nautical miles left on that right arm.
Appier entered the game in the third and hit the first batter he faced, Geoff Jenkins, but cruised through the Brewers for three innings, facing the minimum nine batters after the hit batsman.
He struck out two batters, fielded a bunt and threw out Gabe Gross to lead off the fourth, and recovered from an error by third baseman Mike Morse by inducing a double play off the bat of Jenkins in the fifth.
Appier, signed in the offseason after enduring almost two years of elbow problems and "retiring" last spring after he didn't land a spot with the Kansas City Royals, said he felt a lot better about things Monday.
"I had good movement today and really good command on some of my pitches," Appier said. "I had good results and I'm definitely encouraged by that."
Appier wasn't the only one.
"He threw the ball well," manager Mike Hargrove said. "I thought for the most part he did a good job."
Appier said he wasn't 100 percent satisfied with the outing because he had four straight full counts and felt somewhat out of sorts with his mechanics at times, but he said he still felt like he was progressing.
"I got a way with some really bad timing, but almost all the pitches I screwed up on were not in the damage zone," Appier said.
"I feel like I can pitch in the big leagues."
Johjima impressing skipper: Kenji Johjima, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal to solidify the Mariners' catching position and become the first Japanese-born backstop in Major League history, has left a very good impression on Hargrove so far.
"I've been very, very pleased with how he receives the ball and how he calls a game, the pitches he's called," Hargrove said. "It's difficult to learn the pitchers, but he's worked hard at it."
Hargrove loves Johjima's work ethic, which was exemplified Sunday afternoon, when the catcher was scheduled for a day off but requested to be behind the plate for the spring debut of new Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn.
"I couldn't be more happy with Kenji than I am right now," Hargrove said. "He's doing everything the right way."
Johjima has started off slowly at the plate, with one single in seven at-bats, but Hargrove said it's not a concern.
"That'll come around," Hargrove said. "Right now, the pitchers are way ahead of the hitters. I'm not worried about him. He's got a good swing."
Southpaws showcased: Hargrove said there was a strategy involved when he decided to have three of the top left-handed relievers on the Mariners depth chart -- Matt Thornton, Jake Woods and George Sherrill -- pitch in the same game.
Thornton started Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers and pitched two innings, with Woods pitching three and Sherrill pitching one.
"It's good to have them throw together," Hargrove said. "I think they can learn from each other a little bit."
Ichiro update: The Japanese team for the World Baseball Classic, which includes Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, arrived in the Phoenix area Monday and will have work out from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Japan will play the Mariners in an exhibition game Wednesday at Peoria Stadium. Clint Nageotte will start for the Mariners and will be followed by Luis Gonzalez, Dave Burba and Emiliano Fruto.
Team Japan will play Texas on Thursday in Surprise and the Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix on Friday.
Mariners log: Former Mariners catcher Dan Wilson will join the Mariners on Tuesday and work with the catchers for three days. ... Reliever J.J. Putz (lower back spasms) is set for a one-inning stint in Wednesday afternoon's game against the San Francisco Giants. ... Catcher Rob Johnson (lower back spasms) returned to action Monday, catching the ninth inning. ... Second baseman Fernando Vina (strained hip flexor) is still a few days away from playing. ... Left-hander Cesar Jimenez (mild strain of left hamstring) threw a bullpen Monday. ... Left-hander Bobby Livingston missed his scheduled Monday start because of a stiff neck and is day-to-day. ... Outfielder Wladimir Balentien has a strained right hamstring but will continue to participate in workouts, although he's still not available for games. ... Former Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki will be in Peoria this week as a TV broadcaster for Team Japan in the Classic.
Coming up: The Mariners take their first spring road trip Tuesday to take on the Brewers in Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix at 1:05 p.m. Arizona time, or 12:05 p.m. PT. Felix Hernandez makes his second spring start and will be followed by right-handers Rafael Soriano, Julio Mateo and Marcos Carvajal. Regulars in the lineup include Jeremy Reed, Raul Ibanez, Richie Sexson and Jose Lopez.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Mailbag: Future of few well worth wait

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:09:00 +0000

03/06/2006
Who are a couple of players I should look out for in Spring Training that are not going to make the roster this year but have a great chance in the future?-- Eric S., Bellingham, Wash.
There are a few to keep an eye on. Left-hander Travis Blackley might start the season at Double-A San Antonio because he's still rebounding from labrum surgery and might need to be in warmer weather for the first part of the year, but look for him to make it to Triple-A by June if he's progressing well. The Mariners still like him as a starting pitching prospect. Right-hander Marcos Carvajal has a live arm and the potential to start games, and he's got some valuable Major League experience under his belt, having pitched in 39 games for the Colorado Rockies last year, striking out 47 batters in 53 innings. If he doesn't make the big club out of Spring Training, he'll probably be in Tacoma. And reliever Emiliano Fruto can hit the mid-90s with his fastball and has a very good changeup and curveball. He needs to iron out his command and figures to be a candidate for closer duties in Tacoma.
Since Matt Lawton is suspended for the first 10 days of the season because of a drug suspension, who do you think has the opportunity to make the club for those days and technically make the Opening Day roster?-- Ben M., Las Vegas, Nev.
That all depends on how manager Mike Hargrove wants to set up the roster. If Hargrove decides to use the Lawton suspension to give him an extra arm and make it a 12-man pitching staff, Carvajal, Jeff Harris, lefty Jake Woods or righty Clint Nageotte could sneak onto the roster as relievers, depending on how they pitch in Spring Training. If Hargrove decides to go with a position player, candidates include Greg Dobbs, Roberto Petagine or outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Of course, a lot can happen in the remaining three-plus weeks of camp. Injuries can rearrange the entire roster, and some of the names I've mentioned as possible candidates could become shoo-ins for the roster as camp progresses.
The Mariners traded Bret Boone to the Twins last year. I heard that they will get a player to be named later or cash. I am wondering what they got.-- Alex T., Seattle
According to a team spokesman, the Mariners received cash in the deal, which was done last July 11. Boone, incidentally, retired from baseball last week while in New York Mets camp.
What Mariners numbers have been retired? And who are they?-- Eric R., Portland, Ore.
The Mariners have not retired any numbers yet. The only retired number hanging in Safeco Field is the No. 42 of Jackie Robinson, which is retired throughout baseball.
What happened to pitcher Jorge Campillo? Is he still in the organization, or did we let him go as a free agent?-- Michael C., Shoreline, Wash.
Campillo is in Arizona rehabilitating his right elbow from the Tommy John ligament replacement surgery he underwent last year. Campillo remains a part of the Mariners organization on a Minor League contract. Once the season starts, the team will have to figure out which disabled list to place him on.
What is OPS and how does it work?-- Derek G., Riverside, Calif.
OPS is on-base percentage plus slugging percentage and it is believed by a growing number of baseball fans and statisticians to be the premier method of determining a player's true offensive value, although that interpretation is often questioned, usually by older, more traditional baseball people.
Is Jay Buhner still with the Mariners organization? I know that he is no longer announcing, but is he still working with the Mariners or is he enjoying retirement?-- Kara M., Richland, Wash.
The Mariners tell me that "Bone" is content right now as a Seattle-area dad, coaching his children.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Clement homers in Mariners' loss

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:08:00 +0000

03/07/2006
Mariners at the plate: The Mariners erased a 3-0 deficit before the Brewers pulled away in the seventh. Willie Bloomquist and Raul Ibanez led the way by going 2-for-3 apiece, and Jeff Clement hit a two-run home run in the ninth.
Brewers at the plate: Tied through six and a half innings, the Brewers erupted for 11 runs in the bottom of the seventh to open up a rout. J.J. Hardy snapped a 3-3 tie when he crushed a two-run home run and Tony Gwynn, Jr. also homered in the frame, Gwynn's second in as many days. Corey Hart put the Brewers on the board with a two-run home run in the second inning on a windy day at Maryvale Baseball Park.
Mariners on the mound: Right-handed phenom Felix Hernandez worked a scoreless first inning but was touched for three in the second as Mariners pitchers continued to struggle this spring. In the seventh, Marcos Carvajal (0-1) and Mike Bumstead combined to surrender 11 earned runs on six hits, three walks and a hit batter.
Brewers on the mound: Tomo Ohka started and allowed a hit in two scoreless innings of work. Closer Derrick Turnbow pitched the ninth and surrendered Clement's high home run after a one-out walk, but struck out the game's final two batters. Carlos Villanueva (1-0) got the win.
Cactus League records: Mariners 1-4; Brewers 5-2.
Up next: The Mariners split up Wednesday to take on the Giants at 12:05 p.m. PT and Ichiro Suzuki's World Baseball Classic Japanese squad at 6:05 p.m. PT. The Brewers, meanwhile, stay home to host the Kansas City Royals at Maryvale Baseball Park. Dave Bush is scheduled to start for Milwaukee against Joe Mays.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/

Guardado, Lawton reflect on Puckett

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:06:00 +0000

03/07/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Eddie Guardado and Matt Lawton are with the Mariners now, but they began their careers as Minnesota Twins and were both befriended and influenced by Kirby Puckett.
Puckett, the Hall of Fame Twins outfielder, passed away Monday at the age of 45 after suffering a stroke in nearby Scottsdale, and he was still on the minds of Guardado and Lawton on Tuesday morning.
Guardado, who came up in the Twins organization and played with Puckett from 1993-1995, said he went to the hospital Sunday as soon as he heard about the stroke and passed a message along to Puckett through Clayton Wilson, the Twins' longtime clubhouse man and one of Puckett's best friends.
"I told Clayton to tell Kirby that I loved him and that he taught me a lot about life, and Clayton told him, so that was special," Guardado said.
"It's really sad. It's a great person we lost. They always take the good ones quick."
Guardado has enjoyed a long career and has blossomed into one of the game's most reliable closers and a positive clubhouse presence. He said Tuesday he owes it all to Puckett's constant optimism and perspective.
"He always used to say, 'In this game, thing things you can't control, don't worry about them,'" Guardado said.
"I try to pass it on now. That's what I do and that's what I stress to these guys in here. ... This guy was my idol in the game."
Guardado said he will attend Puckett's funeral and will honor his late teammate and friend by writing "K.P. 34" underneath his cap this season.
"He's always going to be remembered in my heart," Guardado said. "He's going to be with me forever."
"Clayton said he's probably smiling at us right now. I said, 'You ain't lyin', brother.'"
Meanwhile, Lawton had his own memories of Puckett, who took a young Lawton under his wing when Lawton was still in Minor League camp in the early 1990s.
Lawton said Puckett would drive him around to do errands and take him shopping and that, "I felt like I was in the car with Dad or something."
Lawton added that Puckett was a superstar without an elitist superstar attitude.
"I would carry his bags because I wanted to," Lawton said. "He would never ask me to, so I carried his bags just because."
The two were connected by more than their friendship, too. On Sept. 28, 1995, Puckett was hit in the face with a pitch by Dennis Martinez. Lawton hit his first career home run off Martinez in the same game. On Opening Day of that season, Lawton, then the starting right fielder, got two hits.
"When he got glaucoma, on Opening Day, he was yelling, 'Man, this guy's gonna take my position,'" Lawton recalled. "'He's gonna Wally Pipp me.'"
"He always had a smile on his face and he played the game the right way," Lawton added.
"It was just great to get a chance to play with him. I have nothing but good memories."

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/