News
Starting anew, Morrow returns
Seattle (72-69) at Texas (79-60), 5:05 p.m. PT
By Jim Street / MLB.com
09/11/09 12:25 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- With a two-month refresher course on what it takes to be a starting pitcher in his rear-view mirror, right-hander Brandon Morrow steps back into the Major League arena on Friday night against the team that had a lot to do with him moving from closer to starter. It has been exactly two months since Morrow was sent to Triple-A Tacoma to work on certain aspects of his game and the Mariners are eager to see how the former first-round Draft choice performs. "When we sent him down, we talked to him about changing speeds," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He has done that at different stages down there." Armed with a high-powered fastball, Morrow has had a tendency to rely on the heater and not enough on his off-speed pitches. Speed variation is a requirement at any level and the Mariners are hoping Morrow has learned how to mix his pitches. He made 10 starts for the Rainiers, posting a 5-3 record with a 3.60 ERA, winning four straight before losing his most recent start, a four-inning outing against Colorado Springs. "I would be happy to get three or four starts out of him the remainder of the season," Wakamatsu said. Morrow's start against the Rangers on Friday night will have its limitations. "We'll probably keep him a fairly short leash in his first outing," Wakamatsu said. "He had the blister before and some forearm tightness. I would be happy to get five innings out of him, but I'm looking for strikes, number one, and aggressiveness." It might be beneficial for Morrow if he has completely forgotten the last time he pitched at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. That was on May 13 and 14, when he suffered back-to-back blown saves. He was moved out of the closer role and replaced by right-hander David Aardsma, who has been rock-solid in that role ever since. The Mariners decided both Morrow and the organization would be better off with the 23-year-old pitching every fifth day. He was used in both roles the past two seasons, starting six games earlier this season, and five last season -- highlighted by a no-hit bid against the Yankees in his debut start. He held the Yanks without a hit for 7 2/3 innings. The Mariners have held their own against the Rangers at Safeco Field this season, splitting six games, but have had all kinds of trouble in Arlington, losing six of the seven games. Pitching matchupSEA: RHP Brandon Morrow (0-4, 5.28 ERA)
After starting the season in the bullpen, Morrow made six starts with the Mariners between June 13 and July 10. Three of his four losses this season were administered by the Rangers, but two of those came in save situations. He has a 14.39 ERA against Texas this season. Opposing hitters have been especially tough on him during the first 15 pitches he throws this season, batting .354 (35-for-99) on those pitches. TEX: RHP Kevin Millwood (10-9, 3.77 ERA)
Millwood, after losing to the Orioles, 5-4, on Saturday, is 2-4 with a 5.92 ERA in his last 11 starts. He is 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA in two starts against the Mariners this year and 8-10 with a 6.08 ERA in his career against them. He is 24-19 in 63 games, including 61 starts, in September. He is 7-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 13 starts at home this season. Sea Scrolls
Shortstop Jack Wilson should be ready to return to the lineup for the series opener. He was out of the starting lineup the past two games because of the flu. ... Right-handed reliever Chris Jakubauskas, bothered by a knot behind his right shoulder, keeps improving and is expected to be ready to pitch on Saturday. ... The Mariners are still awaiting word from Seattle on the status of the MRI exam taken on right-hander Sean White's shoulder. Initial reports from a radiologist indicated that the shoulder is structurally sound, but team medical director Ed Kahlfayan has yet to issue a report on the exam. ... Jose Lopez has hit a career-high 23 home runs this season, fifth most in franchise history for a second baseman. Bret Boone has the top four -- 37 in 2001, 35 in '03, 24 in '02 and '04. Tickets
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• Saturday: Mariners (Doug Fister, 2-1, 2.79) at Rangers (Derek Holland, 7-10, 5.93), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Sunday: Mariners (Felix Hernandez, 14-5, 2.61) at Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 7-3, 3.47), 12:05 p.m. PT
• Monday: Off-day
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
