Seattle.Mariners.MLB.com

Matt Thornton was impressive in his Major League debut against San Diego on Sunday. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

At about the time the trade that sent right-hander Freddy Garcia to the White Sox was finalized, left-hander Matt Thornton walked in from the bullpen in left-center field and started his own big-league career.

Where it goes from here is anyone's guess, but the first four innings went extremely well.

Thornton was a bright spot in a game the Mariners lost, 5-1, to the Padres before 43,649. Left-handed starter Jamie Moyer, who lost to the Rangers in relief Thursday afternoon in Arlington, absorbed the loss in a starting role this time.

It was his first loss as a starter since April 22 against the Athletics. Moyer also is now 0-4 in day games and 6-0 at night. His ERA is 7.86 during the day and 1.56 at night.

Former Mariners third baseman Jeff Cirillo hit a first-pitch, three-run home run in the second inning to put the Padres ahead to stay. Moyer worked the first five innings and then turned the series finale over to Thornton, who handled the Padres with relative ease.

"I thought he pitched great, just outstanding," manager Bob Melvin said. "You don't see many power left-handers anymore, but this guy is going to be one."

Thornton pitched four scoreless innings, allowing three hits. He walked one, struck out one and 30 of his 47 pitches were strikes.

And he didn't get rattled in tough situations.

After walking the first batter he faced, Thornton retired Brian Buchanan on a popup to second base and induced Humberto Quintero to hit a one-hopper back to the mound, starting an inning-ending double play.

Shortstop Willie Bloomquist handled the low throw, tripped over the bag, but completed the DP.

"Willie said it was the hardest fastball I threw all day," Thornton said.

Consecutive one-out-singles in the seventh inning put Thornton in another bind, but Phil Nevin grounded into a shortstop-to-second-to-first double play.

But when it was all said and done, the Mariners had lost another series and remained 12 1/2 games behind the AL West-leading Rangers, who visit for a four-game series beginning Monday night.

Melvin said he hasn't had the time to figure out exactly whom to put in Garcia's spot in the rotation. Garcia's next turn would have been Thursday afternoon in the series finale against Texas.

Thornton would be more than happy if his next appearance is in a starting role.

The Mariners' first-round selection in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Thornton has been a starter for most of his career. He had a 6-4 record and 6.00 ERA for Triple-A Tacoma this season.

"It was fun, I had a good time with it," he said of his MLB debut. "It's hard to put into words, really. A lot of people told me it would be amazing and don't ever forget it. I had a lot of anxiety built up and the ball didn't have a chance to get to Pat (Borders) in the bullpen.

"I was throwing all over the place."

He settled down after the five-pitch walk to Cirillo.

"Luckily, my location came back a little bit," he said.

It also helped that he was familiar with a few of the Padres hitters because the teams share Peoria Sports Complex during Spring Training.

"I knew some of them from spring, but I didn't know (Brian) Giles all that well," he said. "I'd faced a few of them here and there. I pitched against Khalil Greene a little bit from the minor leagues. I watched him last year, I was still hurt, but I'd seen him. Pretty much whatever Dan (Wilson) was dropping I was throwing. I didn't want to think too much."

Cirillo's first home run of the season gave San Diego starter Adam Eaton all the run support he needed.

The Mariners offense had yet another quiet day, being held to one hit over six innings -- a leadoff single by Wilson in the third inning. Eaton made a wild throw to second after fielding a comebacker hit by Ichiro Suzuki, putting runners on first and second with one out, but Randy Winn grounded into a double play.

Seattle finally scored in the seventh when Jolbert Cabrera singled into left-center field, scoring John Olerud from second. He had walked and advanced to second on Edgar Martinez' single to center.

Scott Linkerbrink retired the final two batters in the inning, worked a scoreless eighth and Blaine Neal zipped through the ninth.

Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

print this page    |    email this page