After using Jeff Clement as a DH and catcher since they called him up April 30, the Mariners have found a place that probably suits him best right now — Class AAA Tacoma.
The team optioned the 24-year-old catcher back to the Rainiers after Sunday’s game.
The Mariners didn’t announce a replacement on the roster, although a pretty good guess walked through the clubhouse late Sunday afternoon as the team prepared to fly to Detroit — outfielder Jeremy Reed.
Reed batted .349 in 38 games with the Rainiers.
Clement, who intrigued everyone last September when he batted .375 with two home runs in nine games, wasn’t the same hitter this time. He batted .167 and struck out 20 times in 48 at-bats.
“We thought he was pressing a little bit,” manager John McLaren said. “It’s best for Jeff to go down and get some at-bats and get his confidence. He’s going to be a fine player for us.”
McLaren said Jose Vidro, whose playing time was cut by Clement’s arrival and then a bout with back spasms, would return to full-time duty at DH.
Ichiro steals a record: Two days ago, Ichiro Suzuki had no idea he was close to setting the Mariners’ record for career steals. Then in the first inning Sunday, he stood on second base tipping his helmet to a standing ovation at Safeco Field.
Suzuki’s steal was the 291st of his career, breaking the record held by Julio Cruz, who played with the M’s from 1977-83.
Suzuki got his 290th steal on Saturday, then learned something.
“After I got that steal, (Yuniesky) Betancourt told me, ‘Congratulations,’” he said. “I said, ‘Congratulations for what?’
“Then people told me about the record. Other people knew more about it than myself. At the same time, hitting and stealing are important to me.”
Suzuki followed his record steal with one that helped the Mariners win. He swiped third, then scored the Mariners’ first run on Jose Lopez’ ground out.
His 20 steals lead the American League and put him on pace to threaten his career high of 56 when he was a rookie in 2001. Suzuki credits those hitting behind him more than any sense that he’s being more aggressive.
“The No. 2 hitters this year have done a very good job of doing their work,” he said, speaking specifically of Lopez and Miguel Cairo. “They’re making it very easy for me to do my job on the bases. That’s definitely been a contribution to my ability to steal bases.”
Suzuki has at least one steal in 11 of the past 16 games.
Of note: Sunday’s victory was the Mariners’ first this season after they’d trailed in the seventh inning or later. … Felix Hernandez has pitched at least six innings in nine of his 11 starts. … Raul Ibanez ended his eight-game hitting streak and Adrian Beltre ended his five-game streak.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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