Austin Jackson sees similarities between Mariners and clubs he played on in Detroit
PEORIA, Ariz. – This all seems familiar as center fielder Austin Jackson looks around the Mariners’ clubhouse.
A true superstar in the middle of the lineup bracketed by a few other All-Star quality players? Check. A genuine No. 1 guy atop a rotation loaded with other proven arms? Check. A roster dotted with veteran players? Check.
Jackson looks at the Mariners and sees the Detroit Tigers.
“I even made that comparison a few times last year,” he said. “It reminds me a lot of when I first got to the Tigers (in 2010). We were young and had a good mix, but we hadn’t quite meshed yet.
“Over the years, we kind of built up that team chemistry. You look at this team this year, and there are a lot of similarities to a few of those Tigers teams.”
Jackson joined the Tigers in 2010 when they were coming off a stretch of 22 years with one postseason appearance. That year, they would finish .500 before starting a run of four straight division crowns.
He saw what turns a club into a perennial postseason participant.
“It takes some leadership,” Jackson said, “guys stepping up and really being vocal leaders – and then being able to go out and lead by example. This team has those guys.”
These Mariners also have Jackson, who spent most of the last five years as the triggerman atop the Detroit lineup before a July 31 deadline trade last year brought him to the Pacific Northwest.
The change didn’t go well.
Jackson struggled over the final two months, compiling a .229/.267/.260 slash (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) in 54 games that paled in comparison to his pre-trade career numbers of .277/.342/.413.
“It was a tough transition,” said manager Lloyd McClendon, who spent four years as Jackson’s hitting coach in Detroit. “Offensively, he fell into some bad habits that we need to clean up.”
When it didn’t click right away, Jackson tried harder – he pressed – and it backfired. An offseason’s reflection brought him to camp this spring with a resolve to relax.
“I think a big thing is just being able to get started here,” he said. “Start with the team and be in a situation where it’s just about getting your work in, really just getting into baseball shape.
“You’re able to just relax because you’re not really worry about the results as much. You can just think about getting yourself prepared for the season.”
So far, so good.
Jackson is 5 for 14 in four games and flashed his speed Thursday against Oakland with a line-drive triple and in beating out a grounder for an infield single.
“My approach is to use the whole field,” he said. “Not try to do too much. Just take what they’re giving me. Don’t try to pull too much. Don’t try to hit for a lot of power.
“Just make sure I’m seeing it and putting a good swing on it.”
McClendon identifies Jackson as “the key” to the Mariners’ attack.
“At the top of the order,” McClendon said, “we need him to jump-start things. I told Austin this, I don’t need a career year out of him. I just need him to be the good player that he is.
“If Austin Jackson hits .270 and has an on-base percentage of .340, then we’ll be OK. I don’t need him to be that guy who hits 25 home runs in the leadoff spot. I just need him to get on base.”
Then it really might seem like Detroit.
Athletics 4, Mariners 3
The facts: The Mariners suffered a second straight ninth-inning collapse Thursday in Mesa, Arizona when they blew a two-run lead and lost on Kent Matthes’ two-out, walk-off RBI single against minor-league lefty Paul Fry.
Most of the damage came against veteran Mark Lowe, who was charged with all three runs after giving up three doubles and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
The Mariners (4-6) gave up three runs in the ninth inning Wednesday in a 4-1 loss to Colorado.
Play of the game: First baseman Jesus Montero turned in a nimble, acrobatic move in grabbing an off-line throw from shortstop Ketel Marte and applying a tag on Josh Phegley for the final out in the second inning.
Plus: Jackson ignited a two-run second inning with a triple to left. …Stefen Romero had two hits as the designated hitter.
Minus: Two Mariners were picked off first base: Willie Bloomquist in the fourth by Matt Buschmann, and Ian Miller in the fifth by Dan Otero.
Job battles: Three strong outings from lefty relief candidates. David Rollins has a one-two-three fourth inning with two strikeouts and a fly to center. That makes four scoreless one-inning appearances. Tyler Olson then set down six straight batters in the fifth and sixth with three strikeouts. Olson has retired all 15 batters faced this spring with eight strikeouts. Rafael Perez stranded inherited runners at second and third with two outs in the seventh inning.
Quotable: Mariners starter Jordan Pries, who spent most of last year at Triple-A Tacoma, retired nine of 10 hitters after yielding a first-pitch triple in the first inning to Billy Burns.
“That’s something I take pride in, really,” Pries said. “When stuff starts to go wrong – unfortunately in this outing, it was the first pitch – just having poise and getting back on the mound and going after the next guy.”
Extra innings: Nelson Cruz logged his first outfield time of the spring when he started in right field. … Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma threw 60 pitches in four innings in a simulated game against minor-league players on one of the Mariners’ practice fields in Peoria. .… Second baseman Robinson Cano is expected to return today from the Dominican Republic and rejoin the lineup for Saturday’s game against Arizona at Salt River Fields. He left camp last Saturday following the death of his grandfather. … The Mariners have lost four of their last five.
Up next: The Mariners return today to Peoria Stadium for a 1:05 p.m. game against Milwaukee. Lefty J.A. Happ is scheduled to start against Brewers righty Mike Fiers.