News
Mariners head home for set vs. Indians
Seattle (51-44) vs. Cleveland (38-58), 7:10 p.m. PT
By Mike Scott / Special to MLB.com
07/23/09 5:58 PM ET
DETROIT -- By the time Seattle returns home to play Cleveland for a three-game series this weekend, the Mariners will have one distinct advantage over virtually every other American League team in the playoff hunt. The Mariners will be spending quite a bit of time at home. The Mariners and the Tigers have both played 43 home games, tied for fewest of any team in the AL. By contrast, the Rangers will have played 52 home games by the weekend. That fact doesn't have a major impact on how Seattle is approaching its second half, said first baseman Russell Branyan, one of the heroes in Seattle's 2-1 victory Wednesday night. "I think we've played well at home and we love playing there because we have some of the best fans in the game," Branyan said. "It's good to have more games at home down the stretch, but we still have to win them." For his own part, Branyan is on pace to shatter his career high in at-bats. He had 378 at-bats in 2002 splitting his time between Cleveland and Cincinnati. He isn't worried about getting tired later in the season, and is enjoying the opportunity to be an everyday player for one of the few times in his career. "I've been having a lot of fun playing each day," Branyan said. "I played off the bench quite a bit in my career so going every day is pretty new to me. But I love it." Cleveland meanwhile continues to struggle. Several Indians are the subject of current trade rumors. The most notable example is Cleveland catcher/first baseman and designated hitter Victor Martinez who has been rumored to be a target of several teams. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee (6-9, 3.17 ERA) has also been the subject of trade rumors. Lee's contract includes a team option for 2010 at $9 million that can be bought out for $1 million. "We're still going to try and win games and hopefully catch fire here," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said recently. The Indians' lineup though can still score runs, despite its struggles on the field. Branyan though likes his team's offensive ability as well, particularly after Seattle battled back from seven runs down on in an eventual loss on Tuesday. "We know the game is played in nine innings," Branyan said. "Our guys don't give up and we can score runs with anyone." Pitching matchupSEA: LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Rowland-Smith has been called up from Triple-A Tacoma to make his second start of the season. Manager Don Wakamatsu is happy with the progress of the 26-year-old, whose numbers rapidly progressed over his few outings in the Minors. Rowland-Smith has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen for Seattle over the last few years, including a 5-3 record and 3.42 ERA in 47 games (12 starts, two saves) in 2008. There seems to be a rotation spot for the taking if Rowland-Smith can answer the call. CLE: LHP Aaron Laffey (3-2, 4.27 ERA)
Laffey, making his second start since his return from a right oblique strain, settled down after a rough first inning against the Mariners on Sunday. He gave up three runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts in six innings. In this outing, he'll have to make adjustments against a Mariners lineup that now knows him well. Tidbits
Franklin Gutierrez was not in the starting lineup Thursday and still has a sore neck from crashing into the Comerica Park outfield fence Tuesday night. He is listed as day-to-day. ... The Mariners will travel to Detroit again later this year for games Aug. 18-20. That will be part of a six-game road swing that concludes with three games in Cleveland. ... Seattle is scheduled to face five consecutive left-handed starting pitchers starting Thursday, and the Mariners are currently in an 11-game stretch where they will face eight lefties. ... If Ichiro Suzuki reaches 200 hits this season, he will tie the AL record for most 200-hit seasons (nine) in a career, a record currently held by Ty Cobb. The all-time record is 10 set by all-time hits leader Pete Rose. ... With his hit Thursday, Ichiro has still not gone hitless in consecutive games since Aug. 13-15, 2008. That is a stretch of 128 games. The longest such streak since 1954 is 142 games by David Eckstein for St. Louis from Aug. 22, 2005, until Aug. 5, 2006. ... Wakamatsu is still unsure who his starter will be on Sunday against Cleveland, but possible options include lefty Jason Vargas (3-3, 3.82 ERA with the Mariners), who is currently in Tacoma, and right-hander Chris Jakubauskas (5-6, 5.24 ERA in 24 games and eight starts). Tickets
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• Saturday: Mariners (Erik Bedard, 5-2, 2.70) vs. Indians (Jeremy Sowers, 2-7, 5.77), 1:10 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Mariners (TBD) vs. Indians (Cliff Lee, 6-9, 3.17), 1:10 p.m. PT
• Monday: Mariners (TBD) vs. Blue Jays (Ricky Romero, 8-4, 3.44), 7:10 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.
