Mariners Update
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Opponent: Milwaukee Brewers
When: 5:05 p.m.
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisc.
TV: FSN (cable)
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Pitchers: Seattle right-hander Clint Nageotte (1-1, 3.60) vs. right-hander Doug Davis (5-5, 3.61).
M’s have DH withdrawal
The Seattle Mariners returned to National League baseball Tuesday, which meant playing a game that sidelined their designated hitter.
“It means Freddy Garcia is our secret weapon batting ninth,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It also means we’ve got quite a bench.”
At the expense of the Mariners’ starting lineup, DH Edgar Martinez won’t start for any of the three games here or the three games that follow in Pittsburgh. And all those Seattle pitchers who took batting practice last week?
They’re ready.
“If Freddy comes up with runners on first and second base, I don’t think he’s going to look for a sign he doesn’t want to bunt,” Melvin said, laughing.
Not only does the NL game change the heart of the Mariners order, it changes how the bottom works, too.
“The No. 8 hitter is in an entirely different situation with the pitcher batting behind him,” Melvin said. “You’ve got to be more patient, because if they can, the other team will work around you.
“The thing is, on our bench tonight we have Edgar and Dave Hansen, and if you’re the No. 8 hitter, the other team is going to want to get you so they don’t have to face either of those guys off the bench with you on base.”
Since the job required patience, Melvin put catcher Dan Wilson in the eighth spot in his lineup, keeping Ichiro Suzuki batting third for the fourth game in a row.
The Mariners also went with their “speed” lineup, keeping Hiram Bocachica in center field and Randy Winn in left. Along with Ichiro, that gave Melvin three potential base-stealers.
“I don’t think there’s any question most American League teams are at a disadvantage when they lose their DH, and Edgar has been a huge part of this lineup for years,” Melvin said. “You have to manage a little differently. We’ll use our bench, and our bench is pretty good.”
Short hops: How much difference does a year make? If you’re Bret Boone, plenty. Last June 15, Boone was batting .313 with 54 RBI. On June 15 this season, he was hitting .236 with only 27 RBI. … Milwaukee is one of only two teams against which Edgar Martinez does not have a .300 or better lifetime average. Against the Brewers in 224 at-bats, Martinez is batting .299. If he gets one pinch hit in three pinch at-bats during this series, he’ll leave town with a .300 average. The other team Martinez has “struggled” with? He’s hit .292 against Boston.
Larry LaRue, The News Tribune
