Today’s game
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
When: 1:10 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: Fox Sports Net
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Pitchers: Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard (5-4, 3.79 earned run average) vs. left-hander Kenny Rogers (6-5, 4.59).
Felix passes another test
The Mariners remain confident that Felix Hernandez, who sprained his left ankle June 23, will be able to start a game before the All-Star break.
Hernandez, the Mariners’ best starter with a 6-5 record and 2.83 ERA, is eligible to come off the disabled list July 9. He likely would start July 10 at Oakland.
He threw for 10 minutes at a distance of about 90 feet Thursday afternoon.
“He didn’t experience any problems and that’s very encouraging,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “It makes us feel better about the time he’s able to come off (the DL) that he’ll be able to pitch right away.”
Riggleman said there was no thought given to waiting until after the All-Star break to activate Hernandez.
“We’ve been operating on the safe side already,” he said. “If there’s anything going on, we won’t pitch him. But this is two times in a row that he’s extended it and not had any problems.”
Riggleman said Hernandez probably would throw four more times, including twice off the mound, before he’ll pitch in a game.
Tough duty for Clement: If it seems every pitch thrown to Jeff Clement lately has been unhittable, Riggleman has noticed.
Clement, the Mariners’ 24-year-old rookie catcher, had two hits in his past 10 at-bats entering Thursday’s game and was batting .179. That included an 0-for-4 Wednesday night when Clement struck out twice and seemed to be behind in the count from the first pitch. Monday, against Toronto ace Roy Halladay, Clement struck out looking all three times at bat.
“It seems like they’re making great pitches on him,” Riggleman said. “I’ve heard Clement come in a couple of times after a ball game saying he didn’t see one good pitch to hit all night. Sooner or later, they’re going to start making mistakes and he’ll have to take advantage of it.”
Of note: By recording his fifth save Wednesday night, Brandon Morrow became one of six pitchers in Mariners history with at least five saves before they turned 24. His 24th birthday is July 26. The others are Edwin Nunez (23 saves), Shane Rawley (15), Byron McLaughlin (14), Bill Wilkinson (12) and Ed Vande Berg (five). … With the signing of second-round pick Dennis Raben, the Mariners have signed six of their top 10 selections and 31 of their 50 picks overall. The unsigned among the top 10 picks are all right-handed pitchers — Josh Fields of Georgia (first round), Aaron Pribanic of Nebraska (third), Billy Morrison of Western Michigan (ninth) and Nathan Newman of Pepperdine (10th). … The Mariners played a Thursday game for the first time since May 22.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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