Big Unit Set Good Example For M’S New Pitcher

Before Ken Cloude made his Mariners debut Saturday afternoon, he had less than 24 hours of exposure to major league baseball.

But what an impressive short time to pick up on some of the differences between the minor leagues and the majors.

There are no Randy Johnson’s still riding buses in Class AA.

Cloude arrived in time to chart Johnson’s pitches Friday night as he became the first pitcher ever to strike out 19 batters twice in one season.

“It was pretty much an honor just to chart that game,” Cloude said. “If nothing came out of today I’d be happy just about that. He made it look pretty easy, didn’t he? Unfortunately it’s not that easy for the rest of us. He really made a mockery of their hitters last night. It was something to watch.”

Tension on the diamond

In one half inning Saturday, umpire Ray DiMuro endured as much wrath from both teams as he’s probably seen in an entire game.

First DiMuro called Edgar Martinez out on a third strike for the second time and drew a rare, heated tongue-lashing from Martinez as well as a few words from manager Lou Piniella. Then DiMuro wrongly called Alex Rodriguez out on a play at the plate and Rodriguez immediately got in his face. Piniella sprinted off the bench to spew some not-so-Sweet Lou venom.

Then DiMuro called a balk on White Sox pitcher James Baldwin, upsetting the Chicago bench. He capped his day off in the eighth by ejecting Rodriguez over a called-strike argument.

Notes

Jay Buhner grounded into a double play in his first at-bat in the second inning. It was the third straight at-bat in which Buhner had hit into a twin killing and the 18th time this season. … Buhner and Edgar Martinez lead the American League in games played. Neither has missed any of the Mariners’ 114 contests. … Ken Cloude became the 23rd pitcher used by Seattle this season. He the 11th to have started this year.

Ken Griffey Jr. isn’t likely to break Roger Maris’ season home run record of 61 this year but he should catch him on the career home run list. Griffey needs two more to tie Maris and Brian Downing for 89th all time with 275… . White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura has reached base in all 13 games he’s played since coming back from a spring injury.