Pat Borders sounded a warning to the rest of the Pacific Coast League about the Tacoma Rainiers.
“They’ve got the best winning percentage in the PCL,” Borders said last week, “and they’re not even clicking right now.”
With a roster filled with pitchers who are nearly ready for the major leagues, one in particular has impressed Borders.
“Bobby Madritsch,” he said.
Madritsch, a left-hander who was playing independent ball two years ago, pitched a two-hitter in his last start and is 2-0 with a 2.86 ERA, with 37 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.
“He has great composure on the mound right now,” Borders said. “All of his pitches have gotten better from start to start. His changeup the first game was marginal, but now it’s a great pitch. His slider was so-so and it’s getting better every time out.”
Borders didn’t stop at Madritsch. Clint Nageotte, Travis Blackley, Craig Anderson, Matt Thornton, J.J. Putz and Cha-Seung Baek all have proven that they can pitch in the majors, he said.
“I don’t think any of them would embarrass themselves right now,” he said. “A little more mental development on the mound by a couple of them and they will be ready to come up and stay for awhile. When they come up here they might digress a little bit because this is a tough environment. But they’re close right now.”
Here’s a team-by-team look at how the Mariners’ farm clubs are doing:
Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers: The Rainiers led the PCL with a 16-10 record entering their weekend homestand against Salt Lake City, doing it with a combination of pitching and hitting.
Besides Madritsch, Baek and Nageotte are each 3-2, and left-handed relievers George Sherrill and Randy Williams are putting games in a late-inning lockdown. Sherrill has a 1.53 ERA and three saves, and Williams’ ERA is 1.08.
Second baseman Mickey Lopez led the Rainiers with a .310 batting average while first baseman A.J. Zapp and designated hitter Bucky Jacobsen each had five home runs and 20 RBI.
Third baseman Justin Leone was batting .264 but led the Rainiers with six homers and three triples.
Class AA San Antonio Missions: Outfielder Greg Jacobs continued to lead the Texas League in hitting, entering the weekend with a .420 average and a team-high eight doubles and 16 RBI. The Missions won 15 of their first 25 games.
Outfielder Dustin Delucchi was batting .371, third baseman Greg Dobbs .338, second baseman Rob Gandolfo .313 and first baseman John Lindsey .302. Outfielder Shinn-soo Choo was hitting .275 but led the Missions with five home runs.
The pitching staff lumbered along with a 5.10 team ERA, but right-handed starter Gustavo Martinez was 2-0 with a 3.16 ERA and closer Jared Hoerman had eight saves and a 3.00 ERA.
Class A Inland Empire 66ers: The 66ers, 19-9 entering the weekend, are getting solid starting pitching, with no starter entering the weekend with more than one loss.
Left-hander Bobby Livingston is 4-0 with a 1.31 ERA; right-handers Felix Hernandez and Juan Sandoval each are 3-1, and righties Rich Dorman and T.A. Fulmer are 2-1. Hernandez has 41 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.
Shortstop Juan Gonzalez and outfielder T.J. Bohn were each hitting .340 to lead the team, and catcher Rene Rivera had a .311 average with a team-high seven doubles and 19 RBI.
Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers: The Rattlers, 11-16, still haven’t broken out of their offensive problems and entered the weekend hitting .213 as a team. Shortstop Adam Jones’ .240 average led the team.
Left-hander Ryan Feierabend continued to pitch well, improving to 4-1 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts. Right-hander Brandon Moorhead is 3-1, 2.79 with a team-high 32 strikeouts in 29 innings. Right-hander Brian Stitt has five saves and a 1.88 ERA.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
