Opponent: Los Angeles Angels
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: FSN (cable)
Series pitchers: Today’s game: Seattle right-hander Joel Pineiro (6-9, 5.43 earned-run average) vs. right-hander Ervin Santana (8-7, 4.87). Tuesday: Seattle right-hander Ryan Franklin (6-14, 5.25) vs. right-hander Paul Byrd (11-9, 3.81). Wednesday: Seattle left-hander Jamie Moyer (12-6, 4.15) vs. left-hander Jarrod Washburn (7-8, 3.35).
Bloomquist anxious, frustrated
Willie Bloomquist, stuck on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hamstring, rode a stationary bike for the first time in his rehab and hopes to return before the season ends.
“But it’s not going fast enough,” he said.
But team doctors caution him against pushing it.
“They want me to be smart, rather than aggressive,” he said. “If we were right in the middle of the playoffs, that would be one thing, but given our situation there’s no sense in pushing it. The last thing I want is to have it linger. Edgar (Martinez) is kind of the classic case there.”
Doctors have told Bloomquist that he has three separate tears in his left hamstring, distributed throughout the length of the muscle. He has not yet tried jogging or strenuous exercise.
Were he not the kind of player he is, Bloomquist might be in the lineup today. But Bloomquist makes his living with his speed – taking the extra base, making the running catch in the outfield, legging out bunts and stealing the odd base.
“If I sat back and hit home runs, I might be in the lineup,” he said, “but I need to make things happen by my legs.”
Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said Bloomquist may be ready in time to play some games before the season ends.
“I don’t know that it’s completely over,” Hargrove said. “He’s trying to get back and we want him back. But I don’t know when that would be. His leg’s still pretty sore.”
Bloomquist pulled the hamstring Aug. 30 while running to first base against the Yankees.
Soriano impresses: Rafael Soriano’s first outing since May 9, 2004 was a milestone in the young reliever’s recovery from elbow surgery. Soriano had elbow problems at the beginning of last year and finally opted for Tommy John surgery Aug. 17.
On Saturday, Soriano pitched the ninth inning, gave up a run on two hits and struck out two.
Hargrove said he liked what he saw.
“He threw the ball well for his first time back,” Hargrove said. “His velocity was 92 to 95. He threw some nice sliders. His command was a little off. But for his first time, he pitched well.
Looking ahead: The Mariners will miss facing Angels ace Bartolo Colon, who became the league’s first 19-game winner with Saturday’s 10-5 victory over the White Sox. Ervin Santana, today’s Angels pitcher, had a difficult outing in his last start, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks in four innings to take the loss against the Red Sox. In his lone start against the Mariners this season, Santana allowed five runs on six hits and three walks in four innings to take the loss.
Mariners starter Joel Pineiro has had six quality starts since Aug. 5, and seems to be recovering from his inconsistency most of the season. Having ended last season on the disabled list, Pineiro’s fastball topped out at 88 mph earlier this season, but has hit 94 in the last month.
Angels right-hander Paul Byrd, Tuesday’s starter, has had solid success against Seattle, building a 3-0 mark in three starts. In his last start against the M’s, he took a shutout into the eighth inning before giving way to the bullpen. He allowed four hits and walked two for the victory.
He faces Ryan Franklin, winless in his last six starts, with an 0-3 record and a 7.88 ERA. He has been better in his last two starts, allowing five runs in 111/3 innings, but had a pair of no-decisions.
John Sleeper, Herald columnist
Associated Press
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