Opponent: Oakland A’s
When: 1:35 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: Fox Sports Net (cable)
Radio: KIRO (710 AM)
Pitchers: Seattle right-hander Aaron Sele (14-5, 3.64 earned run average) vs. right-hander Tim Hudson (17-8, 3.40).
Guillen return uncertain: The Mariners’ team doctor was hopeful Friday that Carlos Guillen would be ready when the playoffs begin next week, but manager Lou Piniella spoke more doubtful words Saturday about the shortstop who was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.
“It’s probably less than 50-50,” Piniella said.
Piniella said Guillen has been admitted to a Seattle hospital and probably will stay there a while.
“I would hope he stays there a couple or three days,” Piniella said. “He’s by himself here (in Seattle) and the team is going on the road (this week). He’s better served by being in the hospital.”
Dr. Mitch Storey, the team physician, said Guillen is being given antibiotics and could be ready to play in a week. The Mariners’ first playoff game will be Oct. 9 at Safeco Field.
Guillen apparently began showing serious symptoms of the illness – nosebleeds and spitting up blood – in the last several days.
“He hasn’t been feeling good,” Piniella said. “But I never contemplated this possibility (TB). This kid has been playing with this. I’m sure this didn’t creep up on him yesterday. He never complained.
“We had to take him out a couple of times because of the nosebleeds, but every day he came to the ballpark and said, ‘I’m ready to go.’ He’s a tough kid.”
Piniella said he and the coaches noticed a decline in Guillen’s play last week in Texas, but didn’t suspect a serious illness.
“I told (coach) Dave Myers to talk to him about being nonchalant,” Piniella said. “Little did we know. I feel kind of stupid now. He said, ‘I’ll pick it up.’ “
Bell delayed: Third baseman David Bell, who had hoped to take a full round of batting practice today and return to action by Tuesday, remains several days from doing either.
Bell took some swings in the underground cage on Friday and realized the strained muscle in his left rib cage isn’t ready to be tested at full speed.
“It’s kind of day-to-day at this point,” Bell said.
He had hoped that by returning Tuesday in Anaheim he would get five or six games as a tuneup for the playoffs.
“The chances of that happening are not great,” he said. “I’m hoping I can hit on Tuesday and play a couple of days after that. Right now, I want to make sure I’m back for the playoffs.”
Health report: Outfielder Al Martin, who injured his left (throwing) elbow early this month when he ran into the outfield fence, won’t play defensively in the postseason, Piniella said.
“He’s not going to be able to throw,” Piniella said.
Mark McLemore, who can play all three outfield positions plus third base and shortstop, will be out at least until Tuesday because of a sore left knee.
“I can’t take a chance with McLemore now,” Piniella said. “I’m not going to play him until he’s totally healthy.”
Money swing: Edgar Martinez took part in a game show televised back to Japan that combined the power of Home Run Derby with the lure of cold cash. Lots of cash.
Martinez was given 10 swings Saturday to hit as many home runs as he could. Each ball that cleared the fence was worth $5,000, with a last swing to either win or lose it all.
With bench coach John McLaren laying in pitches, Martinez crushed three over the fence for a $15,000 total. He then was allowed to select one of two cards, one that would add $5,000 to the total and the other that would take away $5,000. He turned over the “add $5,000” card, increasing the pot to $20,000 before his final swing.
To add drama before Martinez’s money swing, the show’s host waved $20,000 in $100 bills.
“Twenty thousand and I had one swing to win it all,” Martinez said.
And?
“I tried to swing so hard that I popped it up,” he said. “I choked.”
Second baseman Bret Boone learned of Martinez’s fate and smiled.
“What would you do with that kind of pressure?” Boone was asked.
“Upper deck, of course,” he boasted.
Kirby Arnold
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