Mariners Update
Published 11:37 pm Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Today’s game
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
When: 12:40 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: FSN (cable)
Radio: ESPN (710 AM)
Probable starters: Seattle left-hander Jason Vargas (3-2, 3.08) vs. right-hander Jeremy Bonderman (4-2, 4.43)
No change at the top
Chone Figgins continues to struggle as the Mariners No. 2 hitter, but don’t expect him to move down in the batting order anytime soon.
Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said he and his coaching staff have discussed their options, including the possibility of moving Figgins to ninth, but for now the second-baseman will continue to hit second.
“Believe me, we’ve thought about moving the lineup and we’ve done it a lot,” Wakamatsu said. “I don’t think it’s as magnified if other guys are hitting. It’s magnified when the lineup isn’t producing runs, and he’s a big part of it, don’t get me wrong. But this guy is a proven hitter and taking one at-bat away from him by hitting him ninth, I don’t know if that’s the answer to getting a guy out. Believe me, we’ve talked about a lot of different scenarios.”
One possible scenario would be to see if Figgins, who is hitting .195, would benefit from a move to the leadoff spot, where he hit before coming to Seattle this season. That, however, would require moving Ichiro Suzuki, who leads the team with a .352 average. And even though some have suggested Suzuki would be more valuable hitting, say, third in the lineup, Wakamatsu doesn’t want to mess with his best hitter.
“You have probably our most consistent player,” he said. “You take him out of that and you risk the fact that maybe he changes. He’s been willing to do different things and we’ve talked about it, but right now, this guy has been our leadoff hitter for nine-plus years, going on 10, and has been very successful. It’s really about the other guys around him.”
Saunders back in the lineup
Michael Saunders returned to the lineup for the first time in a week, playing left field and hitting ninth. Saunders has hit well since being called up from Tacoma, batting .267 with two homers and six RBI in 12 games, but the return of Milton Bradley has led to fewer playing opportunities for Saunders.
Saunders got the start Tuesday with Bradley serving as the designated hitter. Mike Sweeney has been swinging a hot bat of late, but was kept out of the lineup because he is a career 0 for 11 against Tigers starter Justin Verlander.
“We’re going to do that every day, just look at our best option, but we’d like Saunders in there more, yeah,” Wakamatsu said. “… You don’t want these young guys up here sitting, because you’re trying to continue to move in the right direction with your young players and develop them. Michael’s had a good start up here and we want to be able to play him whenever we can.”
Mariners won’t miss Cabrera
Tigers first-baseman Miguel Cabrera, who leads the American League with 40 RBI, stayed home for this road trip for the birth of his second child. Seattle is just fine not seeing Cabrera, who is hitting .331 with 10 home runs this season.
“Any time you’re going to not see a hitter of that caliber, it’s a blessing, because he can do so many things,” Wakamatsu said. “He’s hurt us in the past, he’s a great player, and I’m glad he’s not playing.”
Of note
C Adam Moore (left leg) and SS Jack Wilson (hamstring) won’t travel with the team to Los Angeles for a three-game series with the Angels in order to stay behind and work with trainers… Wakamatsu said Mike Sweeney will likely get another start at first base today… Jason Vargas, today’s starter, has recorded seven straight quality starts, the second longest current streak in the American League… Boca Juniors, the Argentinean soccer team playing Sounders FC tonight in a friendly, was on hand for Tuesday’s game. Players were on the field after batting practice, posing for pictures before the start of the game.
John Boyle, Herald Writer
