SEATTLE — Whether it was because of who was on the mound (Taijuan Walker), or how many runs the Kansas City Royals had scored in the first two games of the series (zero) — Seattle Mariners catcher Chris Iannetta was back behind the plate for the day game Sunday.
It is the first time the veteran has started three games in a row at catcher this season.
“Just thought it was the right way to go today before we head out on the road trip,” manager Scott Servais said.
Iannetta said he welcomes the extra work, adding that his body feels great.
“I want to play every day — that is just me,” Iannetta said. “Our bodies don’t allow us to do that all the time, but if I feel good and am healthy, I’d love to play.”
Minor details
Pitchers Zack Littell and Osmer Morales combined on a five-hit shutout, and the Clinton LumberKings won their third game in a row with a 5-0 victory over Dayton (Single-A) on Saturday.
First baseman Dalton Kelly has an 11-game hitting streak, hitting .441 with five extra-base hits.
The LumberKings are in first place in the Midwest League.
Looking back
The home runs certainly came in bunches on May 2, 2002. Bret Boone and Mike Cameron became the first teammates to hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same inning.
Their home runs gave Seattle a 10-0 lead over the Chicago White Sox after the first inning. The M’s won, 16-5.
In that game, Cameron became the 13th player in major-league history to hit four home runs in one game.
Short hops
Leadoff hitter and left fielder Nori Aoki was given the day off from starting Sunday. Servais wanted to get Robinson Cano a game at designated hitter, and keep Seth Smith’s hot bat in the lineup. … Slugger Nelson Cruz, who was plunked twice on his elbow Saturday night, is fine. Servais said it was “karma” since it is Cruz who implores teammates to take inside pitches off their bodies. … Reliever Charlie Furbush (left shoulder) will get in 10 pitches off a mound in the next day or two as part of his throwing program, Servais said. The pitcher will not travel on the road trip. … Right-hander Joaquin Benoit (shoulder) played catch Sunday.
On tap
The Mariners begin a seven-game trip Monday with the first of three games in Oakland. A pair of right-handers — Nathan Karns (2-1, 3.63 ERA) for Seattle, and Kendall Graveman (1-2. 4.03) for the A’s — take the mound at 7:05 p.m.
The game will be televised on Root Sports, and broadcast on 710-AM.
Oakland swept the Mariners in Seattle on April 8-10.
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