News
Tight-knit 'pen helps Aardsma succeed
Seattle (49-44) at Detroit (49-42), 4:05 p.m. PT
By Mike Scott / Special to MLB.com
07/22/09 12:26 AM ET
DETROIT -- David Aardsma started his Major League career with the expectation that he would quickly evolve into a top closer after a successful college career in that role at Rice University. It might have taken a few years, but Aardsma is comfortable in that role in Seattle. But the Mariners' closer credits pitching coach Rick Adair, bullpen coach John Wetteland and others for his success. "When I first signed, the expectation was that I would be the next closer for the San Francisco Giants," he said. "But I wasn't ready. I didn't have the stuff I needed to and I wasn't prepared to have the mental makeup that you need to as a closer." "[Adair and Wetteleland] have really worked with me and now I have that mental makeup," Aardsma said. "I'm enjoying my role." What he might be enjoying more than anything though is being a part of the Seattle rotation. The Mariners' starters have given the bullpen strong performances, giving Aardsma and young pitchers like Mark Lowe and Sean White time to adjust to their expanded roles. "We've had guys be able to go out with confidence in knowing their roles," Aardsma said. If there is one word though to describe Seattle's pitching staff, it's that it is a cohesive group, perhaps more so than just about any other staff Aardsma has been a part of at the Major League level. He has pitched in San Francisco and with the White Sox where the staffs included a mix of veterans and unproven rookies. Last season in Boston, Aardsma was part of a close-knit staff that had experienced tremendous success in recent years, having won World Series titles in 2004 and 2007. But in Seattle, the atmosphere among the pitchers truly stands out." "I think cohesive is a mild word," he said. "It's a really tight-knit group." Aardsma credits Miguel Batista for being a big part of the bullpen's success this year. The right-hander has traditionally been a starter throughout his career, but Batista has excelled out of the bullpen with a 6-3 record and a 3.23 ERA in 35 games heading into Wednesday's game. "The six other relievers we have don't come close to having the amount of experience that [Batista] has," Aardsma said. "He's been a big part of it and [his attitude] carries over so that we pick each other up after every game and every inning. "We have fun, but we also pay attention to our roles and helping this team to win games," Aardsma said. Pitching matchupSEA: RHP Felix Hernandez (10-3, 2.51 ERA)
In his most recent start, Hernandez dominated the Indians most of the night, striking out eight and allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over eight innings in earning his 10th victory of 2009. Against the Tigers, who beat Hernandez in his debut in 2005, Hernandez has won four straight. In Detroit's first shot at King Felix this season, on April 17, Hernandez scattered seven hits and a walk over six innings of work, allowing three runs while earning the win. Hernandez is 4-2 lifetime against the Tigers. DET: RHP Armando Galarraga (5-8, 5.09 ERA)
In his first-ever meeting against the Mariners, Galarraga will try to pick up his pitching recovery that had been building before the All-Star break. He lost his last start with four runs on nine hits over six-plus innings against Cleveland last Saturday, but he pitched into the seventh inning with one run allowed in both of his previous outings. Pitching into the seventh itself is big for Galarraga and the Tigers, who badly need a third starter who can take on a big workload alongside Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson. If Galarraga can do it effectively, the Tigers rotation looks deep heading into their playoff run. Tidbits
Seattle starters entered Tuesday's game leading the league with a 3.74 ERA from its starters. Its relievers rank third in the AL with an ERA of 3.49. ... Ichiro has 193 three-hit games in his illustrious career. The last player in the Majors to have as many three-hit games over a nine-year span was Wade Boggs with 193 from 1983-1991. ... Chris Shelton returns to Detroit for the first time since 2006 when he played for the Tigers for parts of two seasons. ... Former Mariner and current Tiger Carlos Guillen's rehab is progressing to the point where he will be sent to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. Guillen was hitting .200 with no home runs and six RBIs for the Tigers when he went on the disabled list in early May with a right shoulder injury. He has been with Detroit since before the 2004 season when he was traded for current Detroit backup infielder Ramon Santiago and shortstop Juan Gonzalez. Guillen played parts of six seasons with the Mariners, with his best year coming in 2003 when he hit .276 with seven home runs and 52 RBIs in 388 at-bats. Guillen became a regular for Detroit the following year, hitting .318, .320 and .320 his first three years in Detroit. All but 29 of his 104 career home runs have come in Detroit. Tickets
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• Thursday: Mariners (Jarrod Washburn, 7-6, 2.87) at Tigers (Lucas French, 1-0, 1.89), 10:05 a.m. PT
• Friday: Mariners (Erik Bedard, 5-2, 2.70) vs. Indians (Aaron Laffey, 3-2, 4.27), 7:10 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Mariners (TBD) vs. Indians (TBD), 1:10 p.m. PT
Mike Scott is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
