Opponent: San Diego Padres
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: KSTW (Ch. 11)
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM )
The case for Beltre
Carlos Garcia laments the fact that the Gold Glove award, despite its supposed recognition of baseball’s best defensive player at each position, often is determined by more factors than defense.
Otherwise, says the Mariners coach who is responsible for infield play, Adrian Beltre already would have a Gold Glove.
“He should have one,” Garcia said. “Unfortunately, what you’ve done offensively also is a part of that.”
Eric Chavez of the A’s has won the past six American League Gold Gloves at third base, and Garcia has a hard time believing he’s a better defensive player than Beltre.
During Beltre’s two full seasons with the Mariners, his numbers compared well with Chavez. Beltre batted .255 with 19 home runs and 87 RBI in 2005 (Chavez was .269, 27 and 101) and .268, 25 homers, 89 RBI in 2006 (Chavez was .241, 22, 72). Beltre had a .967 fielding percentage in 2005 (Chavez was .966) and .968 in 2006 (Chavez .987).
Beltre, however, has established a reputation in Seattle – and in Garcia’s mind – for turning impossible plays into outs with his quick, soft hands and strong throwing arm.
“A.B. is the best I’ve ever seen,” Garcia said. “His hands are what make him so good, and he takes such pride in his defense that he works hard on it every day. From the first day of spring training, he’s taking ground ball after ground ball after ground ball. He has me hit to him so much that he wears me out.”
Garcia believes Beltre is penalized because he plays on the West Coast, although playing in Oakland hasn’t hurt Chavez.
“If he played on the East Coast, he would be exposed to more media,” Garcia said. “They would see every day how good his defense is. Chavez has an advantage because the A’s have been in the playoffs so much. But in my mind, no way is Eric Chavez a better defensive player than Adrian.”
Defending the call: Manager Mike Hargrove said his reason for calling a hit-and-run in the seventh inning Thursday was to keep the Mariners out of a double play, even though they trailed by three runs at the time.
It ultimately cost Ichiro Suzuki his AL record streak of 45 straight stolen bases when he was thrown out after Jose Vidro didn’t swing at Bartolo Colon’s pitch, which was too far outside to reach.
After the game, Suzuki said he had “a bad feeling” about the play when he saw the hit-and-run sign.
“It was an amazing streak. I’m sorry it ended the way it did,” Hargrove said. “I hope he gets another 45.”
M’s send RHP Rosario to Indians: The Cleveland Indians acquired 19-year-old pitcher Gregorio Rosario on Friday, completing a trade with the Seattle Mariners. Rosario has pitched two seasons for Seattle’s Dominican summer league team and is a 11-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 23 starts. The right-hander was in extended spring training in Peoria, Ariz.
Of note: The men who star in the popular “Real Men of Genius” Bud Light radio commercials appeared before Friday’s game at Safeco Field. They twisted their one-minute shtick with a spoof of Seattle, ending it with “The greatest thing about Seattle: It ain’t LA!” Pete Stacker, narrator on the commercials, and singer David Bickler are touring major league ballparks. Bickler was a member of the Survivor rock group that sang the well-known “Eye of the Tiger,” which was the theme song for the movie “Rocky III.” … Julio Cruz, a second baseman on the Mariners’ original team in 1977, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … Friday was a homecoming of sorts for several with the Padres. Center fielder Mike Cameron played for the Mariners from 2000-2003, manager Bud Black is a Longview native and media relations director Warren Miller worked the previous two years for the Mariners.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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