Published: Monday, May 11, 2009
Mariners notebook
Next game
Tuesday's opponent: Texas Rangers
Where: Arlington, Texas
Time: 5:05 PDT
TV: FSN
Radio: ESPN 710
Probable starters: Seattle left-hander Jason Vargas (1-0, 0.00) vs. Texas right-hander Scott Feldman (2-0, 5.79).
Hernandez says he is fine
During his postgame media session on Saturday, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said it appeared starting pitcher Felix Hernandez was "dragging his arm" on some of his deliveries. Wakamatsu said concern about Hernandez' health was the reason he was relieved after four innings rather than being allowed to battle through an outing where he was not sharp.
However, Hernandez emphatically denied that anything was physically wrong when asked about it in the clubhouse after Saturday's game.
"I'm fine," he said. "No problems. I made a couple mistakes, but (Joe) Mauer wasn't a mistake. He (can hit) anything."
During his pregame media session Sunday, Wakamatsu confirmed there was nothing physically wrong with the 23-year-old right-hander.
"Felix -- talking to him today, there were no repercussions from yesterday," Wakamatsu said. "We just felt that, again, his mechanics were little bit out of whack and he just tried to do too much."
Sweeney tweaks back
Wakamatsu said designated hitter Mike Sweeney tweaked his back on swing during the first pitch of his final at-bat in Saturday night's game.
"We think he's going to fine by Tuesday," Wakamatsu said. "It's in a little different spot then he had before -- it's more lower. It's just a muscle spasm so he should be fine."
Ken Griffey Jr. was on deck to hit for Sweeney when Jose Lopez grounded into a game-inning double play against Twins closer Joe Nathan on Saturday.
Injury updates
Wakamatsu said reliever Roy Corcoran, who has been on the disabled list since April 30 with a neck strain, is set to play catch this weekend when the Mariners return home. Reliever Shawn Kelley, who strained an oblique muscle during Tuesday's game against Texas, will probably not return until June.
Wakamatsu also said left-handed pitcher Tyler Johnson and right-hander Chad Cordero, who have been at extended spring training, will throw again on Tuesday. Wakamatsu added that Johnson will make a rehab start "any time now."
Mauer, Morneau impress Beltre
Minnesota sluggers Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, hitters No. 3 and 4 in the Twins lineup, crushed Mariners pitchers during the first two games of the series.
The duo combined to go 7-for-13 with six runs scored, eight RBI and four home runs in the first two games of the series.
"Those guys can swing the bats," Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre said after Saturday night's game. "When you have Morneau going and you have Mauer -- probably the best hitter in the big leagues -- it's tough."
The left-handed hitting duo helped overcome a breakout performance by Beltre, whose three hits, two runs scored and two RBI on Saturday helped bump his average from .208 to .226.
"It (felt) pretty good, but it didn't do anything good for the team," Beltre said of his performance. "We had pretty good offense even though we haven't swung the bat well lately but we knew we had a chance. But (Minnesota's) bats were better than ours today."
Jesse Geleynse, Special to the Herald
Tuesday's opponent: Texas Rangers
Where: Arlington, Texas
Time: 5:05 PDT
TV: FSN
Radio: ESPN 710
Probable starters: Seattle left-hander Jason Vargas (1-0, 0.00) vs. Texas right-hander Scott Feldman (2-0, 5.79).
Hernandez says he is fine
During his postgame media session on Saturday, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said it appeared starting pitcher Felix Hernandez was "dragging his arm" on some of his deliveries. Wakamatsu said concern about Hernandez' health was the reason he was relieved after four innings rather than being allowed to battle through an outing where he was not sharp.
However, Hernandez emphatically denied that anything was physically wrong when asked about it in the clubhouse after Saturday's game.
"I'm fine," he said. "No problems. I made a couple mistakes, but (Joe) Mauer wasn't a mistake. He (can hit) anything."
During his pregame media session Sunday, Wakamatsu confirmed there was nothing physically wrong with the 23-year-old right-hander.
"Felix -- talking to him today, there were no repercussions from yesterday," Wakamatsu said. "We just felt that, again, his mechanics were little bit out of whack and he just tried to do too much."
Sweeney tweaks back
Wakamatsu said designated hitter Mike Sweeney tweaked his back on swing during the first pitch of his final at-bat in Saturday night's game.
"We think he's going to fine by Tuesday," Wakamatsu said. "It's in a little different spot then he had before -- it's more lower. It's just a muscle spasm so he should be fine."
Ken Griffey Jr. was on deck to hit for Sweeney when Jose Lopez grounded into a game-inning double play against Twins closer Joe Nathan on Saturday.
Injury updates
Wakamatsu said reliever Roy Corcoran, who has been on the disabled list since April 30 with a neck strain, is set to play catch this weekend when the Mariners return home. Reliever Shawn Kelley, who strained an oblique muscle during Tuesday's game against Texas, will probably not return until June.
Wakamatsu also said left-handed pitcher Tyler Johnson and right-hander Chad Cordero, who have been at extended spring training, will throw again on Tuesday. Wakamatsu added that Johnson will make a rehab start "any time now."
Mauer, Morneau impress Beltre
Minnesota sluggers Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, hitters No. 3 and 4 in the Twins lineup, crushed Mariners pitchers during the first two games of the series.
The duo combined to go 7-for-13 with six runs scored, eight RBI and four home runs in the first two games of the series.
"Those guys can swing the bats," Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre said after Saturday night's game. "When you have Morneau going and you have Mauer -- probably the best hitter in the big leagues -- it's tough."
The left-handed hitting duo helped overcome a breakout performance by Beltre, whose three hits, two runs scored and two RBI on Saturday helped bump his average from .208 to .226.
"It (felt) pretty good, but it didn't do anything good for the team," Beltre said of his performance. "We had pretty good offense even though we haven't swung the bat well lately but we knew we had a chance. But (Minnesota's) bats were better than ours today."
Jesse Geleynse, Special to the Herald
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