Opponent: Baltimore Orioles
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: Fox Sports Net
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Holding up well
Five months and 91 games ago, during spring training, Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima clearly stated his goal for this season: He wanted to be prepared mentally and physically to play all 162 games.
There was never a chance of that and Johjima knew it. But he has started 73 of the Mariners’ 91 games this season as former manager Mike Hargrove, and now John McLaren, rest him on most day games.
Last year, Johjima had started 76 of the first 91.
“Joh is used to playing every day in Japan and I appreciate that,” McLaren said. “We want guys who want to play every day, but we’ve got to be sensible. It’s a long season and a real grind, and it doesn’t hurt anybody to take a breather every now and then.”
Rest for a catcher is especially important at this time of the season because the weather is hotter and more humid.
“I don’t want Joh in September to have that bat feel like a piece of lead,” McLaren said. “That’s why we’re doing what we are doing with Joh.”
The plan has worked well this season because of quality job by backup catcher Jamie Burke, who has 18 starts and is batting .344.
“I believe in keeping players rested and sharp,” McLaren said. ‘I remember players in the past who fought us and fought us, and then after they had an off day they said, ‘Thanks, I really needed that.’ They’re going to fight us every now and then, but we’re going to do what we think is right.”
Of note: Tuesday night’s lineup had Adrian Beltre batting fifth and Richie Sexson sixth for a second straight game. … Entering Tuesday, closer J.J. Putz had allowed as many baserunners as he had saves – 27. The only other reliever to do that over a full season was Dennis Eckersley with Oakland in 1990, when he allowed 45 baserunners and had 48 saves. … Tomo Ohka, the right-handed pitcher claimed last week by the Mariners after failed attempts to stick with the Blue Jays and Cardinals this year, struggled badly in his first outing at Class AAA Tacoma. He allowed 10 runs and 13 hits in five innings Monday night at Salt Lake. … Tuesday was the 28th anniversary of the 1979 All-Star Game at the Kingdome. … Sexson may be having a rough season at the plate, but he hovers over all other sluggers in baseball history in one statistic. At 6 feet 8 inches, he’s the tallest position player in major league history, according to Stats Inc. Of players 6-6 and taller, Dave Winfield (6-6) leads with 465 home runs. Sexson is fifth with 288.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
