PEORIA, Ariz. — Erik Bedard is no longer perfect.
But the left-hander did take another step in the right direction during the Seattle Mariners 10-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.
Bedard’s string of scoreless innings ended when the Angels’ Peter Bourjos bounced an RBI infield single in the third, but the left-hander’s third spring training start was another success.
Bedard allowed three hits and one earned run with two strikeouts and a walk in 22/3 innings. Until the third, Bedard hadn’t allowed a run in five innings this year. He threw 55 pitches, 32 for strikes.
“It wasn’t as good as the other (starts),” Bedard said. “A little command inconsistency, but that’s what spring training is for. Results are second and arm first. It feels good.”
Bedard said his left shoulder is so good that, on Thursday at least, it felt like it did before a series of three surgeries in the past two years. The Mariners can only hope for that, because when he was on the mound in 2008 and 2009, he was a combined 11-7 with a 3.24 earned run average.
“We’ll see, but right now health-wise and stuff-wise I feel the same I did before,” Bedard said. “It’s encouraging. The more starts I have under my belt that I feel healthy, it’s really good.”
The Mariners have operated with caution on Bedard, in both how they’ve brought him along at spring training and in their enthusiasm for what the rotation could have if he does remain healthy.
“He’s a guy who’s had quite a bit of success at the big-league level. The only thing that’s gotten in his way were the injuries the last couple of years,” Wedge said. “He feels good and we’re hoping he can stay there. He was one of the best left-handers in the league when he was at his best in Baltimore.”
Grand-slam Liddi
Third baseman Alex Liddi has become the power hitting star the first two weeks of exhibition games after hitting grand slams in consecutive games. His fifth-inning slam Thursday against the Angels followed one against the Dodgers on Wednesday. And, on Tuesday, he homered in a B game against the Dodgers.
“He’s standing up there with a lot of confidence and he’s learned a great deal here in camp,” Wedge said. “He’s moving around well defensively. He’s a good-looking young player.”
That’s a good endorsement, but the 22-year-old Liddi knows it’s best to enjoy the moment and learn as much as he can in big-league camp.
“The only thing I can do is have fun being around all these veteran guys, keep playing and get better every day,” he said.
While Liddi isn’t likely to win a roster spot, he’s already done enough to make Wedge notice.
“It’s nice to see them get comfortable in this setting, it’s nice to see their confidence grow and it’s something they can take with them and utilize,” Wedge said. “When you talk about a good approach, he has that at home plate. And you have to like his actions as well defensively.”
Liddi’s defense at third has been questioned to the point that some scouts believe he may wind up at first base. But so far, he’s determined to improve his consistency in the field at third.
“I need to get better and work every day,” he said. “Even though I feel good, I’m not there yet.”
Today in camp
Mariners vs. Indians, 12:05 pm. (PST) in Goodyear, Ariz., (ESPN 710 AM radio). Right-hander Michael Pineda will start for the Mariners against right-hander Mitch Talbot for the Indians.
Of note
Franklin Gutierrez left the team Thursday and flew to Florida with his wife Vivian, whose father is injured Braves minor league manager Luis Salazar. Salazar was hit in the head by a line drive that sailed into the dugout during the Braves’ exhibition game Wednesday. Gutierrez is expected to rejoin the Mariners on Saturday. … Felix Hernandez will make his next start in a minor league intrasquad game Saturday. That will allow him to avoid pitching to the Oakland A’s, who he’ll face as the opening-night starter April 1 at Oakland. Right-hander Blake Beavan will start Saturday against the A’s. … Mariners reliever Shawn Kelley continues to throw without problem in his surgically repaired right elbow. He said he’s throwing with about 60 percent effort — easy enough to avoid hurting himself but hard enough to know he’s much better than he was before the surgery Sept. 1. … The Mariners say Pineda, listed in their media guide at 6 feet 5 inches and 245 pounds, actually is 6-7, 260. … Left-hander James Paxton, the Mariners’ fourth-round draft pick who signed last week, will throw his first bullpen of spring training this morning.
Read Kirby Arnold’s blog on the Mariners at www.heraldnet.com/marinersblog and follow his Twitter updates on the team at @kirbyarnold.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
