Charlton Returns To Seattle

Norm Charlton got a second chance with the Seattle Mariners, and beginning Sunday he’ll try to erase the lasting memory of a man walking off a mound knowing something had gone wrong deep in his left arm.

The reliever who led the Seattle staff with 18 saves in 1993, Charlton signed a contract with the Mariners on Friday after a 12-minute workout in the Kingdome.

“He threw hard, he had good velocity,” manager Lou Piniella said. “He was healthy in Philadelphia; his problem was control, not velocity.”

Released by the Phillies before the AllStar break, Charlton telephoned the Mariners and asked for the opportunity to make their staff.

“I know Lou and the coaches here, I know most of the guys in this clubhouse and they know me,” Charlton said. “Lou knows I do best when I work a lot - I can go four, five days in a row. I want to prove I can still pitch, and this is where I want to do it.”

Charlton has been a starter, a closer and filled most roles in between for Cincinnati, Seattle and Philadelphia. He’ll begin his comeback as a middle reliever.

To make room for him, the Mariners will have to send someone out, and it appears that rookie reliever Rafael Carmona will be the man.

Notes

Seattle’s triple play Thursday was the ninth in franchise history, and the Mariners are 3-6 in games when they turn one. In games when the opposition turns a triple play, Seattle is 2-2. … Broadcaster Dave Niehaus, who has missed just 15 games in franchise history before the Toronto series, is taking the four games against the Blue Jays off. … When the Mariners make a roster move on Monday to activate a starting pitcher - probably Bob Milacki - it’s likely catcher Chris Widger will be returned to Tacoma.