Mariners Try Their Luck With ‘Only’ 10 Pitchers

The return of shortstop Alex Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list Friday may leave the Seattle Mariners feeling short-handed in the pitching department.

To make room for Rodriguez on the 25-man roster, Seattle placed relief pitcher Mike Maddux on the 15-day disabled list.

Maddux officially has a lower back strain that was sustained while throwing in the bullpen June 22. His time on the disabled list is retroactive to that day.

Maddux’s last appearance was June 21 at Texas, a game in which he posted his first triumph since last September.

So for at least 10 days, the Mariners will go with a 10-man pitching staff. That’s the usual number for most teams, but Seattle has carried 11 pitchers most of the season.

If the starters can provide quality starts as they have over the past few weeks, that should not be a problem.

After the All-Star break, the situation might be re-evaluated.

Maddux, the brother of Atlanta Braves Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux, was signed by Seattle as a minor-league free agent April 7.

He had appeared in just five games and had an earned-run average of 10.24.

When Rodriguez returned to action, he and took injured Ken Griffey Jr.’s No. 3 spot in the batting order.

Cruz keeps learning

An education for Cruz - Jose Cruz Jr. has seen his average dwindle quite a bit in the past week, but he still is learning how to hit big-league pitching.

The key for his development as a hitter might come in learning to hit the ball to all fields.

“That’s what we’ve been working on getting him to do, use the whole field,” manager Lou Piniella said.

Thursday night he showed power going the opposite way when his fifth home run sailed over the left field fence.

Cruz was out of the lineup against Anaheim left-hander Chuck Finley on Friday. He is just 1 for 16 with a bloop single batting right-handed so far.

Notes

Griffey, who ran a bit in batting practice but didn’t start Friday, needs one more home run to become just the second player ever to post 30 home runs before the All-Star break twice.

Griffey, who hit 33 homers prior to the break in 1994, would join Willie Stargell in the exclusive club.

Reggie Jackson hit 37 home runs before the All-Star Game in 1969 to establish the best mark. When Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961, he had 33 at the break.

Entering Friday’s game, the Mariners have the best record of the American League West teams against other A.L. West clubs from 1994-97. Seattle (73-44) leads Oakland (61-56), Anaheim (55-64) and Texas (48-73).

Seattle opponents haven’t stolen a base in more than two weeks.

Coming up

The Mariners might like tonight’s opponent, right-hander Allen Watson (6-4, 5.62 ERA), who has an infinity ERA against Seattle. Derek Lowe (2-2, 5.70) pitches for the Mariners in the 7:05 game that will be televised on TCI cable channel 25.