SEATTLE — Garrett Olson may be one of the more unlikely pitchers to record a save for the Seattle Mariners this season, although if we’ve learned anything about this season, it’s that the unlikely has become the norm.
Olson pitched the final 12/3 innings Saturday night, holding the Red Sox without a hit, to finish the Mariners’ 5-1 victory and record his first career save. It also was his first legitimate save opportunity.
“It didn’t even feel like a save, but it was a great feeling,” Olson said. “The best feeling out of it was that I was able to be a part of a team win against the Red Sox. We have a good team here. We have been struggling, but (Saturday) everybody pulled together and it was a great feeling to be a part of that.”
Speaking of great feelings, that’s what Olson is taking to the mound these days.
After putting up a 6.00 ERA in nine relief appearances in June, it’s down to 3.68 in seven outings this month. And, take away Thursday night when he gave up a two-run double to Eric Patterson in the 13th inning, Olson’s July ERA would be 1.69.
At the urging of manager Don Wakamatsu, Olson has worked with pitching coach Rick Adair to achieve better consistency with his pitches and kept baserunners more honest with a lower leg kick.
“Every day I go out there, I’m trying to stay on top of the ball and get extension through my target,” Olson said. “Wak made the comment, and I’ve been working with Rick, especially out of the stretch to try and eliminate the high leg kick and just get good direction to home plate. We’ve been working with the catchers to refine my focus through the glove. When he puts the target there, instead of having a broad focus, I really just aim small.”
Bullpen coach John Wetteland also has been a contributor, helping Olson and all the relievers learn strengths, weaknesses and tendencies of hitters through the game.
“He can approach each one of us and give us something to think about, so when we go out there we’re not caught off-guard or surprised,” Olson said.
It has helped make Olson a valuable piece of the bullpen, especially with the loss of key relievers Mark Lowe (injured back and, this month, traded to the Rangers) and Shawn Kelley (elbow inflammation).
“What’s helped me is just getting out there and building confidence with each outing,” Olson said. “Doing that kind of takes away the pressures of the situation and what you’re trying to do rather than what you really should be focusing on, which is just hitting the glove. Every day, it’s a matter of continuing to build off that. I’ve been fortunate the last couple of outings.”
Is Ichiro wearing down?
Ichiro Suzuki went hitless for the second straight game Sunday against the Boston Red Sox, going 0-for-5 to drop his average to .308.
On July 1, he was batting .333.
Suzuki is the only Seattle Mariner to have played all 99 games, and Wakamatsu said he will consider a day off for his leadoff hitter, or at least some DH duty to give him a semi-break.
“We’ll look at that,” Wakamatsu said. “But it’s tough because right when you think about giving him (a day off), he gets hot. He’s that type of player. But we’ll definitely dialogue.”
The Mariners are in the midst of a stretch of 18 games in 18 days since the All-Star break, and because Suzuki played in that game there has been virtually no break for him. July 14, the day after the All-Star Game, was his only day off from baseball since June 28.
Since the All-Star break, Suzuki is 7-for-44.
Besides his dipping average, Suzuki’s chase for a 10th straight 200-hit season isn’t as automatic as it once seemed. He has 125 hits and is on pace to finish with 204 — if he plays all 162 games.
Of note
Reliever Brandon League became the Mariner pitching staff victory leader, winning his eighth game. Starter Felix Hernandez has seven victories. … The Mariners continue to be careful with DH Russell Branyan after he suffered back spasms and came out of last Monday’s game. Wakamatsu said he could return during the four-game series this week at Chicago. … When the Mariners’ four hits Saturday were a single and home run by Michael Saunders, double by Chone Figgins and triple by Milton Bradley, it became the second time in franchise history they hit for the cycle with only four hits. They also did it July 3, 1991, when Ken Griffey Jr. homered, Pete O’Brien tripled and singled, and Omar Vizquel doubled.
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