Chone Figgins (aka Mr. On-Base Percentage) and Ken Griffey Jr. (the Team T-Shirt Factory) got their first hits of the exhibition season today for the Mariners.
Figgins hit a two-run triple in the fifth inning and Griffey doubled to center field in the fourth. And, as you’d expect from this goofy-getting-goofier-by-the-day team, their teammates had the baseballs thrown out of play for Figgins and Griffey to cherish for eternity.
“I don’t know what he did with his,” Figgins said, who’d gone hitless in 18 plate appearances. “But I’ve got mine. I feel like I’m part of the team now.”
The hits haven’t fallen, but Figgins has been pleased with his at-bats so far — he’d drawn seven walks entering today — and seems ecstatic about hitting second behind Ichiro Suzuki.
“In this era, there aren’t many guys who are leadoff guys hitting back-to-back,” Figgins said. “It’s good for me now because I get to see where they pitch him, and they’re pretty much going to pitch me the same way. It’s good for both of us because we’re going to see a lot of pitches. And when we do get on base we’re going to create a lot of havoc.”
Griffey? He lauched a pitch from former short-time Mariner lefty John Parrish to the warning track in center field for his first exhibition hit. He’d hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning.
Earlier today, Griffey unviled the latest t-shirt to laugh about. It has the image of pitching coach Rick Adair from his playing days with the Indians, featuring dark hair and mustache.
Today’s game, a 6-6 tie that ended after nine innings because the Royals didn’t have enough pitching, also continued the spring showcase for Matt Tuiasosopo. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double, giving him a .474 exhibition average.
Tui is playing multiple positions in camp hoping to win a utility job with the team, and his opportunity increased this week when Jack Hannahan, who seemed to have an inside track on the job, went down with a groin injury. An MRI showed a mild strain, but Hannahan will be out 7-10 days. Even if it’s limited to that, Hannahan will miss valuable time because the Mariners want to give him considerable work at shortstop.
“I feel bad for Jack,” Tuiasosopo said. “We’re all family here and he’s like one of my brothers. I’ve got to go about my work the same as always. Having a good game is great, but you’ve got to do it every day. “
Tuiasosopo’s biggest handicap in the derby for a bench spot is his lack of major league experience compared with Josh Wilson. Tuiasosopo has the greater offensive potential, but this is a team that values defense above all else, and that gives Wilson the edge at this point.
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