Mariners notes: Infield comes together

One day after Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said he would start the season with Jose Lopez at third base and Chone Figgins at second, those two combined Sunday on two of the three double plays converted by the Mariners.

“I like what I see, the communication,” Wakamatsu said. “It’s starting to feel like an infield.”

The Mariners had planned to try Lopez and Figgins in one game at their former positions — Lopez at second and Figgins at third — but both players said they’d prefer to stay in the roles they’ve had since spring training began.

Production at the top

The Mariners’ first three hitters _ Ichiro Suzuki, Figgins and Casey Kotchman _ combined to go 8-for-13 with six runs scored in Sunday’s victory over the Angels.

Suzuki went 2-for-4 and scored twice, Figgins 3-for-4 with three runs and a stolen base, and Kotchman 3-for-5 with one run and two RBI.

“We got Ichiro and Figgins going at the top of the order and we’re looking at Kotchman in the three-hole without asking him for power,” Wakamatsu said. “He allows us to do more things.”

Perfect (or imperfect) planning

Wakamatsu realized he’d been had when bench coach Ty VanBurkleo told him how the coaching staff would be divided for the split-squad games Thursday against the Indians and Royals.

VanBurkleo said he would manage the squad playing the Indians, leaving Wakamatsu to handle the group facing the Royals.

Then Wakamatsu realized that VanBurkleo had chosen the game that Felix Hernandez was scheduled to pitch.

Asked if planned to pull rank on VanBurkleo, Wakamatsu simply smiled.

Today in camp

The Mariners host the Oakland A’s at 1:05 p.m. in Peoria (ESPN 710 AM radio). Right-hander Ian Snell will start for the Mariners, who also will pitch right-handers Chad Cordero and David Pauley. Left-hander Brett Anderson will start for the A’s.

Of note

Shortstop Jack Wilson was hit on his right knee by a pitch and he’ll be examined today before the Mariners will know whether he may miss any time. DH Mike Sweeney was hit on his left hand by a pitch, but Wakamatsu said he’s fine. … Utility infielder Jack Hannahan (strained right groin) continues to improve and is expected to field ground balls Tuesday or Wednesday. … When the Mariners send hitters down to get at-bats in minor-league exhibition games, they won’t face Class A pitching anymore. M’s catcher Rob Johnson was “nearly decapitated,” according to Wakamatsu, on Friday by a pitch that got away from a young pitcher. … Five pitchers from the Mariners’ Class AA West Tennessee team combined for a no-hitter Saturday against the Royals’ Northwest Arkansas team. Nick Hill pitched the first three innings, Josh Fields two and Marwin Vega, Andres Esquibel and Jordan Merry one each for West Tennessee. West Tennessee won 3-0.

Read Kirby Arnold’s blog on the Mariners at www.heraldnet.com/marinersblog

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