Rowland-Smith returns; Ichiro aims for 27 hits in final 27 games
Friday, September 3, 2010 | 3:05 pm
One month from today, the Mariners' season of high exectation and even higher disappointment comes to an end.
While the casual fan probably has shifted their interest to another case of high preseason hype -- Jake Locker and the Washington Huskies -- there's still a little reason for the diehard baseball nut to keep watching the Mariners.
The minor league callups will be here soon, and while the brunt of what may be a small group won't arrive until the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers' season is finished (possibly in mid-September after a couple of round of playoffs), one already is here.
Left-handed pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and returned from his rehab assignment with the Rainiers. He'll be with the Mariners for their game tonight.
Who else is coming? The Mariners won't say, although RHP Michael Pineda will spend some time around the big-league club this month even though he has been shut down to save the wear and tear on his arm. A few guesses would be first baseman Justin Smoak, pitcher Dan Cortes, catcher Rob Johnson, outfielder Greg Halman and possibly shortstop Tug Hulett (although he's not on the 40-man roster). Second baseman Dustin Ackley seems more likely for a few weeks of R and R before he begins the Arizona Fall League season with the Peoria Javelinas, then another winter of one-on-one instruction on infield play and baserunning in Peoria.
What else is there to keep a person interested the rest of the month?
There's Ichiro Suzuki's quest to reach 200 hits for the 10 straight season. He already has the record for consecutive 200-hit seasons, but one more would allow him to pass Ty Cobb for the American League record for 200-hit seasons in a career and tie Pete Rose for the major league record.
Ichiro goes into tonight's game with 173 hits, leaving him 27 away with 27 games remaining. He's on pace for 209 hits.
While the casual fan probably has shifted their interest to another case of high preseason hype -- Jake Locker and the Washington Huskies -- there's still a little reason for the diehard baseball nut to keep watching the Mariners.
The minor league callups will be here soon, and while the brunt of what may be a small group won't arrive until the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers' season is finished (possibly in mid-September after a couple of round of playoffs), one already is here.
Left-handed pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and returned from his rehab assignment with the Rainiers. He'll be with the Mariners for their game tonight.
Who else is coming? The Mariners won't say, although RHP Michael Pineda will spend some time around the big-league club this month even though he has been shut down to save the wear and tear on his arm. A few guesses would be first baseman Justin Smoak, pitcher Dan Cortes, catcher Rob Johnson, outfielder Greg Halman and possibly shortstop Tug Hulett (although he's not on the 40-man roster). Second baseman Dustin Ackley seems more likely for a few weeks of R and R before he begins the Arizona Fall League season with the Peoria Javelinas, then another winter of one-on-one instruction on infield play and baserunning in Peoria.
What else is there to keep a person interested the rest of the month?
There's Ichiro Suzuki's quest to reach 200 hits for the 10 straight season. He already has the record for consecutive 200-hit seasons, but one more would allow him to pass Ty Cobb for the American League record for 200-hit seasons in a career and tie Pete Rose for the major league record.
Ichiro goes into tonight's game with 173 hits, leaving him 27 away with 27 games remaining. He's on pace for 209 hits.
Most recent Mariners blog posts
- Nine years later, Mariners finally will get their trip to Japan Sep. 28
- Wedge: Mariners are better for what they experienced this year Sep. 27
- Three more games and a week of meetings to prepare for the offseason Sep. 26
- Multi-year deal keeps Mariners games on 710 radio Sep. 20
- Wedge to young Mariners: Get in better shape next year, or else Sep. 18
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