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Mariners Update

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, March 7, 2004

Mariners vs. Anaheim Angels at Peoria Stadium, 11:01 a.m. (PST)

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)

Pitchers: Right-hander Ryan Franklin will pitch the first two innings for the Mariners, followed by left-handers Mike Myers, Craig Anderson and Matt Thornton, and right-handers J.J. Putz and Shigetoshi Hasegawa.

  • Freddy Garcia took an important first step, pitching well Sunday in the Mariners’ 16-5 victory over the San Diego Padres.

    Garcia gave up a leadoff home run to Brian Hunter, then retired the next six hitters to finish his two-inning outing. He also lined a single up the middle in his only at-bat.

    Manager Bob Melvin said it wasn’t vital that Garcia, 12-14 last season and just 3-6 after the All-Star break, begin with a solid performance.

    “Maybe in the minds of a lot of people in Seattle, but not for us,” Melvin said. “We know what Freddy has to offer and we’re very confident in him.

    “But to go out in the first outing and throw the ball where he wanted to was important. Typically, the thing you struggle with the most is your command. Other than the first hitter, he had everything working.”

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  • Right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano (strained left internal oblique) is scheduled to throw today after having that session pushed back a day. “He felt it a little on the treadmill, so we just want to make sure we don’t get into a problem there,” Melvin said.

  • “We do not provide sunscreen.”

    Sign on the door to the first-aid station at Peoria Stadium, where baseball fans without protection Sunday exposed themselves to a good burn on an 80-degree afternoon.

  • Three players trying to make a positive impression in camp – left-handed pitcher Travis Blackley and utility players Ramon Santiago and Hiram Bocachica – opened a lot of eyes Sunday.

    Blackley pitched two perfect innings and struck out four, Santiago went 3-for-5 with a double, and Bocachica went 3-for-6 with a home run.

    “He’s really moving up on the depth chart,” Melvin said of Bocachica, obtained along with Santiago from the Detroit Tigers in the Carlos Guillen trade. “He gets very good jumps in the outfield, he swung the bat well and he can play the infield. He was a guy who wasn’t really on the radar screen who’s definitely creeping up.”

    Kirby Arnold, Herald writer

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