M’S Buhner Has That Playoff Fever

Seattle SuperSonics playoff fever is seeping into the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse. And Jay Buhner is affected by the bug the most.

Buhner is into the Sonics-Houston Rockets series, which the Rockets lead, 3-2.

“Whichever team wins that series, it will bring that team closer together,” said Buhner, who delivered the game-winning single in the M’s 2-1 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday. “Gary (Payton) and Shawn (Kemp) have been playing well and Hersey (Hawkins) has been stepping up by scoring some big points. Big Smooth (Sam Perkins) is playing well. Hopefully their momentum will carry over.”

While Buhner’s kinship for the Sonics is apparent, his roots lie deep in Texas.

Buhner graduated in 1982 from Clear Creek High in League City, Texas, a Houston suburb, where he was all-state in baseball. He then attended McClennan Community College in Waco, where the school retired his jersey two years ago. Buhner signed a national letter of intent with the University of Texas before he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1984.

“Being from Houston, I followed the Rockets,” he said. “I like their bench guys and how well they play together.”

Though Buhner wouldn’t make any predictions on the series outcome, he was sure, “Whoever wins, I’m jumping on the bandwagon.”

Notes

Gov. Gary Locke watched batting practice from the Mariners’ dugout. … Seattle’s 13-7 road record is the best mark in the A.L., but the Mariners are just 9-8 in the Kingdome. …Six times this season, Seattle’s pitchers have given up a double-digit runs total.

MEMO: Changed from the Idaho edition.