Defense helps M’s get out to a strong start
If the Seattle Mariners’ pitchers had reason to challenge hitters with strikes and rely on the defense to make plays, this would be the season.
The Mariners hadn’t made an error in their first four games, and each of their infielders – first baseman Richie Sexson, second baseman Jose Lopez, third baseman Adrian Beltre and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt – made highlight-reel plays.
“They’re making some plays look pretty easy that aren’t too easy to make,” Gil Meche said. “And that’s not to mention our outfield is pretty darn good, too.”
Defense like that and a spacious ballpark like Safeco Field are a pitcher’s best friends.
“Adrian and Betancourt, they surprised me last year how good they were,” Meche said. “But getting to see them again has made me realize how smooth they are and how much you really need to work this ballpark and your defense. Throwing strikes is key to this park.”
The alternative, a porous defense, often will force a pitcher to nibble around the strike zone and not pitch to contact. Meche said he saw it a lot at the Class A level and admitted trying to strike hitters out because of it.
“In the big leagues, everybody has a good defense,” he said. “But ours seems to be a little better than everybody else’s. At least it looks that way from watching these guys play.”
Felix by the inning
With Felix Hernandez limited to 200 innings this season, including the 14 he pitched in spring training, manager Mike Hargrove said there actually was a good side to his shin splints.
“Missing his last start was kind of a blessing in disguise because it gives us six more innings during the season that we wouldn’t have had,” Hargrove said.
Hernandez missed his final start of spring training because of the shin splints.
Hargrove said the Mariners are firm on keeping Hernandez’s workload at 200 innings or less, to the point that he expects to be criticized when he removes him from a game earlier than fans might want.
“What is it that I do that I don’t get criticized for?” Hargrove asked. “That’s just part of the deal. We’re asking people to understand that it’s for the sake of this kid’s future. We want him around here 10 years from now and not just two more years.”
Notes
The Mariners will honor retired catcher Dan Wilson in a pregame ceremony beginning at 5:15 p.m. today. The ceremony will feature video highlights of Wilson’s career, a poem read by his 9-year-old daughter Josephine and, the appearance of a special guest. … The Seattle Pacific University men’s basketball team, which won the NCAA Division II West Regional, participated in the first-pitch ceremony before the game.