On their 17th straight day to play baseball in a stretch of 23 games in a row, the Mariners took an uncommon break Thursday. They called off batting practice.
Mostly because they didn’t arrive in Seattle until about 3 a.m. after Wednesday night’s game in Anaheim, but also with the day-by-day-by-day schedule in mind, manager Mike Hargrove gave his team a breather. They weren’t required to be in uniform until 4:45 p.m., and they took their hacks in the underground batting cages.
“I walked into my condo at 4 o’clock in the morning,” Hargrove said. “It was a long day and we decided to give the guys a few extra hours at home.”
The Mariners could use it.
Since their last day off on May 14, Hargrove has paid close attention to who’s dragging and who’s not, giving players time off more often than he might do otherwise.
“Twenty-three games in a row is a lot of games to play,” Hargrove said. “I’ve been trying to pay attention to that and give guys days off, even when they don’t feel like they need them.”
First baseman Richie Sexson sat out Wednesday’s game against the Angels even though he’d batted .324 in the first nine games of the 10-game road trip.
“Richie certainly didn’t feel like he needed (a day off),” Hargrove said. “If this was a month from now, I probably wouldn’t have given him a day off because we will have scheduled days to make up for that.”
Center fielder Ichiro Suzuki and second baseman Jose Lopez are the only Mariners to start every game during this stretch.
“I don’t want days off. I want to keep playing,” Lopez said. “I work every day on my legs and I feel great right now.”
Weaver throws: Jeff Weaver, the winless starter who’s been on the disabled list in order to build arm strength – and fix whatever else has led to his 0-6 record – threw in the bullpen Friday and the report was good.
“I feel like he’s getting better,” pitching coach Rafael Chaves said. “And he feels like he’s getting better.”
Weaver will throw a simulated game on Sunday, then start Friday night’s game at San Diego.
“We’ve stayed with the plan,” Chaves said. “We’ve given him a chance to get his arm strong.”
Of note: Losing two of three at Anaheim squashed what could have been a resoundingly successful road trip, but Hargrove remained satisfied with a 6-4 record. “We beat the teams we needed to beat and competed with the teams we needed to compete with,” he said. “With a break here or there in Anaheim, we very easily could have won two of three. Any time you can come back over .500 on a road trip is good.” … The Mariners, who travel more miles than any other major league team, logged 6,273 in flying from Seattle to Cleveland to Tampa Bay to Kansas City to Anaheim and back to Seattle. … Before the Mariners honor Edgar Martinez by inducting him into the team’s Hall of Fame on Saturday, he’ll be enshrined on a toy train car that will be given to fans at tonight’s game. The car will contain the images of the four in the team Hall of Fame – broadcaster Dave Niehaus, Alvin Davis, Jay Buhner and Martinez.
Today’s game
Opponent: Texas Rangers
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: Fox Sports Net
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Pitchers: Seattle left-hander Jarrod Washburn (5-4, 3.22 earned run average) vs. right-hander Kevin Millwood (2-4, 6.62).
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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