Mariners Update

  • Friday, October 5, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

Opponent: Texas Rangers

When: 6:05 p.m.

Where: Safeco Field

TV: KIRO (Channel 7)

Radio: KIRO (710 AM)

Pitchers: Seattle right-hander Denny Stark (1-1, 11.57 earned run average) vs. left-hander Doug Davis (11-9, 4.60).

Back in the swing: Just when it looked like nothing would prevent backup catcher Tom Lampkin from finishing the season as a .200 hitter, a most amazing thing happened.

Lampkin started hitting.

He had two hits Friday and is 8-for-18 in his last five games, raising his average from .203 to 225.

It’s a welcome influx of offense for a team that will need Lampkin’s contribution in the playoffs as a late-inning left-handed pinch-hitter. To Lampkin, it’s a relief.

“Just to finally get going again, it’s a relief,” he said. “I’m starting to see the ball better, and I think it comes with the amount of playing time I’ve been getting.”

Most of all, it has given Lampkin a newfound confidence. The timing couldn’t be better.

“It wouldn’t have been fun to be headed to the postseason with the confidence I had two or three weeks ago,” he said. “I was just questioning everything. Why am I going through this? Am I doing everything it takes to get out of it? What more can I do?”

It’s a predicament that can cause a slumping hitter to over-compensate and create even more problems for himself.

“I’m sure I went through a period of time when I did over-analyze things,” Lampkin said. “But sometimes even that can be good. It can be part of the process of finding out.”

Something to play for: Manager Lou Piniella believes one reason the Mariners have been so consistent this season is that they’ve always had a new goal to reach.

“The amazing thing about baseball is that you’re always grabbing for something,” he said. “After you win 115 games, you’ve got to try and win 116. After you win the first round of the playoffs, there’s the second round, and then there’s the World Series.

“I think that has kept us motivated.”

Sunday’s plan: Aaron Sele will start for the Mariners on Sunday, but who follows him to the mound in the final regular-season game may be determined by the Mariners’ place in history.

Piniella said he would like to rest his front-line relief pitchers, plus a few regular position players, but that might change if the Mariners have a chance to set or tie a record for victories in a season.

“It depends on whether the game means something or not,” he said. “We’re going to pitch all our short people (Friday and today). I’m not sure what we’ll do Sunday.”

Welcome back, Alex: The Seattle fans’ reception for Alex Rodriguez has been much more calm than what he faced his first two trips to Safeco Field this season.

Rodriguez faced a loud chorus of boos, complete with dollar bills fluttering through the air every time he came to bat, early this season. This week the boos and cheers have been mixed, and fans have kept their money in their pockets.

Kirby Arnold

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.