Backers arrive to find there will be no Bucky

PEORIA, Ariz. — There are tough cuts and there are routine cuts at spring training.

And then there is the incredible sense of timing that took place when the Seattle Mariners reduced their roster to 36 players.

Bucky Jacobsen was sent to the minor leagues on Friday.

The Bucky Jacobsen fan club arrives today.

When Mariners manager Bob Melvin learned that "The Bucky Backers" are scheduled to arrive in Arizona for today’s game against the Brewers at Maryvale, he cringed.

"I’m going to get booed," Melvin said.

Jacobsen, besides having a solid spring with a .267 batting average, two doubles and a home run, has become a cult figure this month. Fans would chant "Buck-eee, Buck-eee" during his at-bats and almost any other time he got into a game, and he would stay afterward and sign autographs.

The Bucky Backers have touted on their web site (www.buckybackers.com) their trip to Arizona to watch Jacobsen, and today was the day they planned to gather at Maryvale Baseball Park to cheer their hero against the Brewers.

They may need to journey to the minor league fields at the Peoria Sports Complex, where Jacobson may be playing for the Tacoma Rainiers in their game against the San Diego Padres’ Class AAA Portland club.

Melvin said, however, he might bring Jacobsen to Maryvale today and keep him on the bench for late-inning duty in Peoria on Sunday.

"I’m working on it," Melvin said.

Jacobsen, who has played seven minor league seasons, knew he would be sent down but still felt the shock Friday.

"I’ve had so much fun up here, dressing in the big clubhouse, getting to know the guys, playing a little bit," he said. "I knew I wasn’t going to make this team. But I didn’t want it to end."

Edgar locked in: Edgar Martinez hit a three-run homer in the first inning and went 2-for-4 with five RBI in Friday’s 10-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

He is batting .425 this month with two homers and a team-best 15 RBI.

"I’m taking better swings now," Martinez said. "The approach feels better and now I know where the pitch is a little better than at the beginning. But still, my swing feels a little long at times."

Minor mess: Mike Myers, who is trying to win a place in the bullpen as a left-handed relief pitching specialist, didn’t do himself any favors in a two-inning outing Friday in the minor-league camp.

Pitching for the Mariners’ Class A Inland Empire club against the Angels’ Rancho Cucamonga club, Myers gave up four runs on six hits, including a home run.

Melvin didn’t want to make much of Myers’ poor numbers.

"A lot of times it’s difficult to play against Class A guys," he said. "He goes over and pitches against kids he knows nothing about, sometimes you’re throwing right into their happy zones."

Blooming: Willie Bloomquist got five at-bats in a minor league game Thursday, then went 2-for-4 with an RBI Friday on one of his better days in a difficult month.

He entered the game batting .190.

"Willie has been grinding a little at the plate," Melvin said. "He took it upon himself to go to minor league camp and get some at-bats. Hard work pays off, and Willie’s definitely a worker.

Sent down: Besides Jacobsen, the Mariners also optioned center fielder Jamal Strong to Tacoma and reassigned infielder Luis Ugueto and catcher Luis Oliveros to the minor league camp.

Strong, who injured his shoulder early in spring training last year, made a big impression on Melvin this time. He batted .444 with seven walks and a .600 on-base percentage.

"He fits the profile of a center fielder and a leadoff guy," Melvin said. He works hard, he listens, he learns, and there’s always a place for a guy like that.

"He’s been unbelievable, and I’m the idiot who sent him down."

Ugueto, who spent an entire season in the major leagues two years ago because of requirements of being a Rule V draft pick, batted .333. Melvin said the team has talked about trying Ugueto in the outfield.

"He’s the type guy who, if he can play the outfield, National League managers would just salivate over. He switch-hits. He can pinch run. He can lead off an inning pinch-hitting."