No Big Deal, But Gordon Beats M’S Again Kansas City Pitcher’s Record Goes To 11-3 Against Seattle

Among the trading deadline rumors two weeks ago was the story that the Seattle Mariners were trying hard to acquire Tom Gordon from the Kansas City Royals.

Gordon, understandably, didn’t want to go.

In a career that began in 1989, Gordon’s record against the American League is 73-67. Against the Mariners, it’s 11-3.

So dominant is the right-hander against Seattle’s lineup that when Edgar Martinez hit a solo home run in the sixth inning Sunday, it snapped Gordon’s streak of scoreless innings at home against the Mariners at 23-1/2 innings.

Hours before Gordon beat Seattle, 6-3, Mariners manager Lou Piniella had gone over the numbers while trying to come up with a formidable lineup.

“Rich Amaral’s 0 for 6 against Gordon,” Piniella said, looking down a typed sheet. “Jay Buhner 4-for-19, Alex Diaz 0 for 8, Felix Fermin 1 for 10, Luis Sojo 0 for 6, Dan Wilson 0 for 6 … “

You get the idea. When Gordon pitches, the Mariner most likely to wreak havoc is Ken Griffey Jr. - and he was starting a game in Tacoma on Sunday.

“What the hell,” Piniella said. “You put the best team you can out there and hope they can scratch out a few runs.”

Seattle did just that. Martinez homered and walked with the bases loaded to push home two runs, Alex Rodriguez snapped an 0 for 18 streak with an RBI single … and the rest was all bluster without result.

The Mariners chased a weary Gordon in the seventh inning, then left the bases loaded before reliever Mike Magnante struck out Tino Martinez. They never put a man in scoring position again.

“We had a chance and didn’t get it done,” Piniella said. “This whole series, we didn’t hit the ball worth a damn.”

Pinella, again scrambling to find a No. 5 starting pitcher, tried Bill Krueger in large part because Kansas City had an 8-20 record against left-handers. The veteran recorded just seven outs.

Griffey goes hitless

Griffey decided he was ready to play again, but he didn’t look ready.

In his first game since breaking his left wrist 2-1/2 months ago, the six-time All-Star, beginning a rehabilitation assignment, went 0 for 3 as the designated hitter as Tacoma defeated Edmonton 5-3 in a Pacific Coast League game.

Griffey broke his wrist running into the Kingdome’s center-field fence on May 26.