SEATTLE — Shawn O’Malley had a number of friends and family members planning to watch him play for the Tacoma Rainiers Sunday at Cheney Stadium.
Instead O’Malley rerouted his contingent to Safeco Field.
That’s because O’Malley was called up to the Seattle Mariners after Saturday’s game while utility infielder Luis Sardinas was optioned to Class AAA Tacoma.
“When I got the call I think my (Tacoma) team was more excited for me than anything else,” O’Malley said. “It was really nice and I’m just excited to be here.”
O’Malley was hitting .317 with one home run, 13 RBI, five stolen bases and 15 runs scored in 25 games while playing both the infield and outfield for the Rainiers this season. The plan is for O’Malley to fill a similar utility role in Seattle.
The Richland native batted .262 in 24 games with the Mariners last season. On Sunday he was immediately plugged into the lineup in the No. 9 hole and started in center field.
“I think it’s kind of nice just to get that first (game) of the way, monkey off the back and breathe a little,” he said. “You’re not playing the panic game in the dugout. I’m excited and hopefully we can go out there and get a win.”
Mariners manager Scott Servais said that Sardinas needs a chance to play every day. Sardinas will get time in the outfield as well as the infield with the Rainiers.
“(We) like the upside, young player and he’s done a nice job when he got a chance to play — he just hasn’t played,” Servais said of Sardinas. “He needs to get out and get playing, and try to get some timing back so when we do call him back he can add more to our team.”
Cishek remains closer
Prior to Sunday’s game Mariners manager Scott Servais wasn’t sure if closer Steve Cishek would be available due to having thrown 30 pitches in games on Friday and Saturday.
But Servais lauded the effort Cishek has turned in so far this season despite three blown saves in his last five outings, including back-to-back blown saves Friday and Saturday.
“We wouldn’t even be in this spot if it wasn’t for the job he has done,” Servais said. “He’s been awesome. He’ll continue to get the ball in the ninth inning. I don’t know how he feels today, so we’ll see how that goes. I’d love to get him back out there and get him a save and keep moving on. But you know we’ll do what’s best for him in the long run.”
Benoit nearly ready
Eighth-inning setup man Joaquin Benoit will travel with the Mariners on this week’s upcoming road trip and is expected to be activated soon.
“The nice thing about guys that have been around that long is they know their bodies very well,” Servais said of the 38-year-old veteran reliever. “I do know that when he does come back, he’s not going to be a guy we’re going to run out there three consecutive days. We’re going to work him into it.”
Benoit has been on the disabled list since April 22.
Crowd impresses Servais
Many of the 40,000-plus fans at Saturday’s game may have been there simply for Kyle Seager Bobblehead Night. Nevertheless, Servais singled out the “atmosphere” and “electricity” of the fans in the ballpark for praise Sunday morning.
“I’ve been in a lot of ballparks and I’ve been in a lot of big games and for it to be May 14th and for that to be the excitement level in Safeco Field says a lot about our fanbase,” he said, “and I can’t wait, as the season plays out and the summer plays out how much fun we’re going to have, and they’re going to have just as much right along with us.
“Our team’s got personality, we play hard, we compete extremely well, and I think that’s all our fanbase really wants, and we will finish off a few of those games like we were in last night,” he continued. “I’m really, really excited about what I saw (Saturday) night.”
Follow Herald Writer Jesse Geleynse on Twitter @jessegeleynse.
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