Fassero Fits In Nicely With M’S

American League hitters are finding out what National League hitters have known for a long time: Jeff Fassero is about as good a lefthander as there is in baseball.

And that includes Seattle’s Randy Johnson and Atlanta’s Tom Glavine.

Fassero ran his record to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.57 in his fifth start with the Mariners on Tuesday night. The Mariners scored five runs against Kansas City’s bullpen in the eighth inning to break open a close game and win 7-2.

“He is tough, no question,” Kansas City manager Bob Boone said. “He’s not an easy assignment.”

“He’s getting more and more comfortable in this league,” Seattle catcher Dan Wilson said.

“He’s an experienced pitcher,” Mariners manager Lou Piniella said of the 34-year-old veteran. “He knows what he wants to do out there. That’s what makes him a winner.”

Maybe the franchise’s first 20-game winner in 1997. Maybe the Mariners’ second American League Cy Young Award winner in three seasons.

Seattle was able to acquire Fassero because the cash-conscious Montreal Expos were no longer able to pay him. Before making the deal, the Mariners signed the six-year Montreal veteran to a $13.5 million, three-year contract.

Fassero, who received an $800,000 signing bonus, is earning $3.2 million this year. He will be paid $4.75 million in each of the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

With the Mariners scheduled to play in a new $414 million outdoor stadium near the Kingdome sometime in ‘99, it is money well-spent, the club figures.

“Every location you call, every pitch you call, you know you’re going to get that pitch in that location,” Wilson said.

Fassero was 15-11 with a 3.30 ERA in 34 starts for the Expos last season. He had career highs with 222 strikeouts and 231 innings.