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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, October 2, 2009 Mariners update Morrow drops his hand, KOs the A's The eight shutout innings, nine strikeouts, sharp control of a darting fastball and overall excellence by Brandon Morrow in Wednesday night's victory over the A's obviously were just what Mariners manager Don Wakamastu wanted to see. What Wakamatsu liked most of all, he said Thursday, was that Morrow seemed completely comfortable with a slight but important adjustment to his throwing mechanics. In basic terms, Morrow drops his right hand below his waist as he begins his arm circle before throwing a pitch. It helps relieve the tension in his shoulder and creates a more free-and-easy delivery that Morrow has been able to repeat, Wakamatsu said. “We found something there and believe it will propel him forward,” Wakamatsu said. “We're aware of him having a great start against the Yankees last year, but when you start to project him at the front of the rotation, that is pretty exciting.” That's a lofty expectation of a pitcher who hasn't yet strung together dominant starts. Wednesday night's game, however, created hope that Morrow can repeat this given the change in his mechanics. “It allows him to get his arm up a little easier and he doesn't have to fight it,” Wakamatsu said. “Early in the year he was just going straight back and there was a lot of tension in his shoulder. What I saw (early in the season) was a fastball that was straight. Last night it had late movement and I knew he felt a lot more comfortable throwing strikes.” Wakamatsu credited pitching coach Rick Adair with working Morrow through the adjustment, and he also mentioned former major league pitcher Al Leiter as an influence. Don't be misled. Morrow didn't have a one-on-one chat with Leiter or watch some instructional video of him. He heard Leiter talking on TV about the same mechanical adjustment he had made, and it was reinforced while the Mariners were on their last road trip. “I was already doing it, but hearing him talk about it just seemed to make a connection,” Morrow said. Does this mean he's staying? For anyone looking for signals — subliminal or not — on whether Ken Griffey Jr. will return, there's this from the Mariners' superstar during his clubhouse cavorting Thursday: “I'm coming back as a left-handed pitcher,” he said before bending at the waist as if to look for an imaginary catcher's signal, then unloading an awkward-looking delivery. “Don't let this soon-to-be-40-year-old fool you. I can still bring it.” No Joh until Saturday Catcher Kenji Johjima has a bruised left elbow, the result of a pitch that plunked him Wednesday night, and Wakamatsu said he won't play again until Saturday. That loss created an opportunity for Wakamatsu to see more of Adam Moore, who has been impressive since he was called up early this month. Moore caught his second straight game Thursday night and his fourth since being called up. “What we set out to do, at least our goal, was to let some of these younger players play a little bit more,” Wakamatsu said. “Playing the kids will give us more insight going into next year,” Wakamatsu said. Of note Griffey's first-inning home run Wednesday gave him an average of one homer in every 11.50 at-bats in his career at Safeco Field. … Jose Lopez's 40th double in Wednesday's game made him the fifth player in Mariners history with at least 40 doubles and 25 homers in the same season. The other four are Edgar Martinez (three times), Alex Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson. … Wednesday night's 7-0 victory was the Mariners' 10th shutout this season, the 12th time in franchise history they've had at least 10 in a season. It has happened in six of the past 10 seasons. Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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