Opponent: Oakland Athletics
When: 1:05 p.m.
TV: None.
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Probable pitchers:
Looking for a silver lining
It’s hard to find anything good to say about a season-worst seven game losing streak, but Mariners manager John McLaren is trying to find a silver lining to his team’s struggles.
“Hopefully something like this will be a positive in September because we’ve gone through this and we know what it’s like to struggle a little bit,” McLaren said before Friday’s game. “One thing this has done, I think it’s brought us together as a team a little bit more because we’ve stuck together, they’ve picked up for each other and are watching out for each other, so I think that’s a big positive.”
Jose Guillen said the recent struggles aren’t cause for panic just yet.
“It’s better to go through this stretch now than later in the season,” he said. “We’ve just got to get the job done. This is a veteran team and there’s no reason to be playing the way we are. We’re not playing great right now, but two or three of these games we should have won. I believe we’re going to get it together. I’m confident in this team.”
Ultimately, McLaren said, the positives he can find in a losing streak are limited.
“Still,” he said, “we need to get a win.”
Another lineup shuffle: McLaren changed the lineup again for Friday’s game, moving Jose Vidro back to the No. 2 spot, batting Guillen third, Adrian Beltre fourth, Richie Sexson fifth and Raul Ibanez sixth.
“When we were winning I wasn’t going to touch anything, but since we’re struggling a little bit, I’m kind of tweaking it a little bit and see if we can find something,” McLaren explained. “Once we find something that clicks we’re going to go with it. We’re still looking for that right combination.”
Vidro, who has been his team’s hottest hitter since the All-Star break, said he feels comfortable hitting second, but is happy anywhere in the lineup.
“I’ve always told my managers, as long as I’m in the lineup, I don’t care where I hit,” said Vidro, who was batting .383 since the break heading into Friday’s game. “Batting second, that’s what fits me. That’s where I’ve been hitting for probably 80, 90 percent of my career. I feel good hitting there. I feel comfortable.”
Deadline deals?: With the July 31 trade deadline rapidly approaching, players can’t help but pay attention to the rumors. With ESPN’s Buster Olney talking about possible trade scenarios on the clubhouse TV’s, several players looked on with interest.
One thing that got several players’ attention was Olney mentioning Seattle as a team that could be interested in acquiring Yankees pitcher Kei Igawa. That news seemed to be a surprise – and a pleasant one at that – to Ichiro Suzuki, who was looking on from his locker.
Ultimately, as Guillen pointed out, all the players can do is play the games and see what happens.
“I’m not worried about it, It’s not my business,” said Seattle’s left fielder. “I’m not a GM, I just work here.”
No sling torching: Seattle’s losing streak has been bad for the team’s playoff hopes, but good for the sling formerly attached to McLaren’s arm.
McLaren had said that when he got the sling off that he would burn it on the field, but decided the timing wasn’t right with the team struggling.
“You know what, I was going to do that, but I just didn’t feel like it was appropriate,” said McLaren. “We haven’t been playing well. If we had won eight games in a row, I’d torch it in front of everybody and give everybody a good laugh … I’m just happy to get it off.
“If we win eight in a row, I’ll have a little ceremony and let everybody know.”
Of note: Despite their winning record, the Mariners have been outscored by their opponents this year, 483-479, heading into Friday’s game … Richie Sexson’s second-inning home run Thursday moved him into ninth place on the team’s all-time list. Sexson, who has 90 home runs as a mariner, trails Ken Phelps, No. 8 on the list, by 15.
John Boyle, Herald Writer
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
