M’S Settle On Pitching Rotation

They put their heads together Sunday morning, and manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Nardi Contreras came up with a rotation through the next homestand that isn’t what they’d hoped - but should keep everyone on an almost normal schedule.

After Randy Johnson lost his regular schedule to the power failure in Baltimore, and Jeff Fassero lost his to a rainout Saturday, the Mariners were scrambling to keep their rotation intact while the team plays without a day off until September.

Monday night, the team will use a sixth starter - Felipe Lira - then open the nine-game homestand in the Kingdome on Tuesday with rookie Ken Cloude, pitching on three days’ rest instead of his usual four.

After Cloude, Johnson, Jamie Moyer, Fassero and Omar Olivares will get the Mariners to Sunday’s game against New York, when Cloude will pitch again. Then Johnson, Moyer and Fassero will face the Red Sox.

Coming up

Seattle completes its road trip with a 5:05 p.m. (PST) game against the White Sox that will be televised on Fox Sports Northwest. Probable starting pitchers: Felipe Lira (5-7, 5.91) vs. Scott Eyre (1-2, 6.28).