Opponent: Anaheim Angels
When: 7:05 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 3:35 p.m. Thursday
Where: Safeco Field, Seattle
TV: Fox Sports Net (cable) on Tuesday and Wednesday
Radio: KIRO (710 AM) all three games
Pitching practice: Mariners coaches threw batting practice for much of Saturday’s workout, but Seattle pitchers also got some time on the hill. Norm Charlton, Jose Paniagua, John Halama and Ryan Franklin each threw for several minutes. Aaron Sele then had an extended stint, throwing 60-70 pitches.
Unlike usual batting practice, where balls are lobbed over the plate for the hitters to crush, Seattle’s pitchers threw hard and mixed in periodic breaking pitches. Needless to say, there were fewer balls sailing to the seats.
A year ago, in a similar situation while pitching a simulated game, Seattle pitcher Jamie Moyer was struck on the knee with a sharp one-hopper by teammate Chris Widger, and the result was a fractured kneecap. The injury kept Moyer out of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees.
On Saturday, all the pitchers threw from behind a batting practice screen. “We’re not taking any chances,” manager Lou Piniella said.
Bullpen bound: Seattle pitcher Joel Pineiro is expected to start next Saturday’s game in Oakland, then move to the bullpen, where he will work during the postseason.
“The way they’re going to use me in the playoffs is out of the pen, so they wanted me to get back into that situation,” Pineiro said. “And that’s fine. If that’s how I’m going to help the team, it’s OK. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Dribblers: Mariners president and chief operating officer Chuck Armstrong, executive vice president and general manager Pat Gillick, vice president of scouting and player development Roger Jongewaard, and vice president of baseball administration Lee Pelekoudas all attended Saturday’s practice. … The team will hold a players-only meeting after today’s practice to talk about different subjects, including what type of celebration they want after clinching the AL West title, which could happen on Tuesday night. … Pitcher Brett Tomko, who spent much of the early season with Seattle before being sent to Class AAA Tacoma, was greeted warmly by several players in the locker room before Saturday’s workout, including hugs from Mark McLemore and Mike Cameron.
Rich Myhre
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