Today’s game
Opponent: Detroit Tigers
When: 12:55 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: KCPQ (channel 13)
Radio: KOMO radio (1000 AM)
Pitchers: Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez (2-5, 3.60) vs. right-hander Justin Verlander (2-7, 5.16).
Sexson sits again
Manager John McLaren said he was “riding a hot hand” Friday in starting Miguel Cairo at first base for the third straight game. The victim, again, was slumping Richie Sexson.
The “hot hand” referred to the Mariners’ two straight victories rather than what Cairo had done, because he entered Friday’s game batting .186.
McLaren said he hasn’t given up on Sexson, who’s batting .200 and was 2-for-14 in his past four games.
“I know Richie wants to play,” McLaren said. “There is not an easy answer for this. This is not a long-term thing. I am just sticking with the hot hand. We know Richie wants to play and all that, but it is what is.”
Friday’s lineup, with Cairo playing and Sexson sitting, was born more from the fact the Mariners had won two straight rather than the matchup against Tigers starter Nate Robertson.
Cairo had a .200 career average against Robertson while Sexson’s was .375 with three doubles, a home run and three RBI in 16 at-bats.
Still, McLaren wouldn’t say this is a longterm benching of Sexson.
“We’re trying to get him going,” McLaren said. “The team has been struggling so bad we won two games and that’s why Miguel is back out there. Miggy’s not going to hit the ball out of the ballpark, but we have won that way and will go that way tonight.”
Morrow’s role won’t change: McLaren repeated Friday what he’d said early in the week, that hard-throwing Brandon Morrow will remain a reliever.
Morrow pitched winter ball in Venezuela last year to refine his secondary pitches — his splitter, slider and changeup — and the Mariners see him as a starter in the future.
“Starting is way on the back burner,” McLaren said. “We’ll stick with the way it is and not rush him into that role. I see him as a starter one day, but we’re going to leave him where he is.
“I have seen his secondary pitches and what the possibilities are. He has a chance to have three above-average pitches and you put that with a 99 mph (fastball) and you like your chances even more.”
Of note: The foursome led by former Mariner Jay Buhner shot a 17-under 55 at the Golf Club at Newcastle to win the annual Cystic Fibrosis golf tournament Thursday. The tournament raised more than $190,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. … Former Mariner Rich Amaral, who worked with the baserunners at spring training, joined the M’s on Friday and will stay with the team through the end of the homestand. … The Mariners will play today with “Marineros” on the front of their jerseys during the team’s salute to the Latin American influence on baseball. The first 25,000 fans will receive a Marineros cap and mariachi bands will roam the stadium.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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