Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
MARINERS UPDATE
TODAY
Opponent: Tampa Bay Rays
When: 7:10 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: FSN
Radio: ESPN 710 AM
Probable starting pitchers: Seattle right-hander Chris Jakubauskas (1-1, 3.86 earned run average) vs. right-hander Jeff Niemann (0-2, 6.35)
A MATTER OF FOCUS, FOR EVERYONE
Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt has been the flag bearer in manager Don Wakamatsu's crusade for a more focused, disciplined team. Sunday, when Betancourt dropped that flag by booting successive ground balls for errors, he became the center of attention, if not criticism.
It not only revived concerns that Betancourt still needs work to become totally attentive in the field and patient at the plate, it sparked suggestions on the internet that Wakamatsu should bench him.
That wasn't the case Tuesday, when Betancourt was back at shortstop for the 13th time in 14 games. Wakamatsu wasn't giving up on anyone through 13 games.
He also emphasized Tuesday that his remark after Sunday's game about needing better focus was meant to describe the team in general and not Betancourt.
While the Mariners' pitchers worked on fielding drills with the middle infielders Tuesday afternoon, Wakamatsu and infield coach Bruce Hines spent several minutes talking with Betancourt.
Afterward, Wakamatsu said a letdown Sunday wasn't a surprise after the team had either played, worked out or traveled every day for more than three weeks since its last off day in spring training. He expected a better effort after Monday's off day.
"Those guys have played some awfully hard baseball and it was a good day off," Wakamatsu said.
The early work Tuesday, when pitchers worked on fielding and pickoffs, is something the Mariners will do regularly this season.
"We'll continue to get some work done during the year on things that we've stressed during spring training," said Wakamatsu, who'll have the players out early again today to work on bunting. "These are things we've talked about in spring training, making sure the pitching staff and the infield are on board with the bunt defenses and pickoffs."
ON THE MEND
First baseman Russell Branyan's "day-to-day" back injury needed one more day on Tuesday. Injured on Friday when he slid into the plate, Branyan has missed the past three games. Mike Sweeney started at first base Tuesday.
Catcher Kenji Johjima, out the past week because of a strained hamstring, played catch and took 35 swings in the batting cage Tuesday afternoon. Today, he's scheduled to take batting practice.
"Probably when we go on the road to Anaheim, we'll start his running program," Wakamatsu said.
At the Mariners' training complex in Arizona, recovering relievers Chad Cordero and Tyler Johnson are scheduled to pitch this week. Cordero, a right-hander coming back from labrum surgery, will throw batting practice on Saturday. Johnson, a lefty who missed all last year because of rotator cuff surgery, will pitch an inning Thursday and next Monday against minor league hitters at extended spring training.
SHORT HOPS
Wakamatsu said the Rays and Philadelphia Phillies are two teams the Mariners hope to emulate not because they reached the World Series last year, but because of the aggressive approach they take to the game. "Going into spring training, Tampa Bay and Philly are two role models you look at and say that things are possible," Wakamatsu said. "More importantly, it's the style of baseball." ... The Mariners have sold minor league infielder/outfielder Chris Burke back to the Padres. They acquired Burke in exchange for cash in March, and he played 10 games with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers, batting .237 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI. ... Tuesday's game was the seventh straight the Mariners have played without the Safeco Field roof overhead, setting a record to start the season. It beat the previous season-opening record in 2004, when the roof was open for each of the first six games.
Kirby Arnold, Herald writer
Opponent: Tampa Bay Rays
When: 7:10 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: FSN
Radio: ESPN 710 AM
Probable starting pitchers: Seattle right-hander Chris Jakubauskas (1-1, 3.86 earned run average) vs. right-hander Jeff Niemann (0-2, 6.35)
A MATTER OF FOCUS, FOR EVERYONE
Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt has been the flag bearer in manager Don Wakamatsu's crusade for a more focused, disciplined team. Sunday, when Betancourt dropped that flag by booting successive ground balls for errors, he became the center of attention, if not criticism.
It not only revived concerns that Betancourt still needs work to become totally attentive in the field and patient at the plate, it sparked suggestions on the internet that Wakamatsu should bench him.
That wasn't the case Tuesday, when Betancourt was back at shortstop for the 13th time in 14 games. Wakamatsu wasn't giving up on anyone through 13 games.
He also emphasized Tuesday that his remark after Sunday's game about needing better focus was meant to describe the team in general and not Betancourt.
While the Mariners' pitchers worked on fielding drills with the middle infielders Tuesday afternoon, Wakamatsu and infield coach Bruce Hines spent several minutes talking with Betancourt.
Afterward, Wakamatsu said a letdown Sunday wasn't a surprise after the team had either played, worked out or traveled every day for more than three weeks since its last off day in spring training. He expected a better effort after Monday's off day.
"Those guys have played some awfully hard baseball and it was a good day off," Wakamatsu said.
The early work Tuesday, when pitchers worked on fielding and pickoffs, is something the Mariners will do regularly this season.
"We'll continue to get some work done during the year on things that we've stressed during spring training," said Wakamatsu, who'll have the players out early again today to work on bunting. "These are things we've talked about in spring training, making sure the pitching staff and the infield are on board with the bunt defenses and pickoffs."
ON THE MEND
First baseman Russell Branyan's "day-to-day" back injury needed one more day on Tuesday. Injured on Friday when he slid into the plate, Branyan has missed the past three games. Mike Sweeney started at first base Tuesday.
Catcher Kenji Johjima, out the past week because of a strained hamstring, played catch and took 35 swings in the batting cage Tuesday afternoon. Today, he's scheduled to take batting practice.
"Probably when we go on the road to Anaheim, we'll start his running program," Wakamatsu said.
At the Mariners' training complex in Arizona, recovering relievers Chad Cordero and Tyler Johnson are scheduled to pitch this week. Cordero, a right-hander coming back from labrum surgery, will throw batting practice on Saturday. Johnson, a lefty who missed all last year because of rotator cuff surgery, will pitch an inning Thursday and next Monday against minor league hitters at extended spring training.
SHORT HOPS
Wakamatsu said the Rays and Philadelphia Phillies are two teams the Mariners hope to emulate not because they reached the World Series last year, but because of the aggressive approach they take to the game. "Going into spring training, Tampa Bay and Philly are two role models you look at and say that things are possible," Wakamatsu said. "More importantly, it's the style of baseball." ... The Mariners have sold minor league infielder/outfielder Chris Burke back to the Padres. They acquired Burke in exchange for cash in March, and he played 10 games with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers, batting .237 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI. ... Tuesday's game was the seventh straight the Mariners have played without the Safeco Field roof overhead, setting a record to start the season. It beat the previous season-opening record in 2004, when the roof was open for each of the first six games.
Kirby Arnold, Herald writer
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