Lou Shuffles His Rotation To Take Advantage Of Break

With seven days left before the All-Star break, the Seattle Mariners have a 5-1/2-game lead in the American League West and every intention of letting their top three starters - Randy Johnson, Jeff Fassero and Jamie Moyer - pitch in five of the next seven games.

To do so, manager Lou Piniella will bring Moyer back on three days rest in Anaheim on Saturday, then bring Fassero back on Sunday on three days rest.

“It gives each of them one more start before the break, and you want to get your best people in as many games as possible,” Piniella said.

Both Moyer and Fassero signed on for the opportunity.

“We’ve both done it before, and the flip side is if either one of us goes bad and is out by the second inning, one of the other starters - Bob Wolcott or Derek Lowe - is right there to pick us up and stop the other team,” Moyer said.

Piniella weeks ago also set up the opportunity for Johnson to start in the All-Star Game on July 8 in Cleveland.

“I’ve had him penciled in to pitch Friday, which would have him right in rotation to start the All-Star game,” Piniella said.

For those who think there’s nothing to that, consider this: Toronto has staff ace Roger Clemens on target to pitch next Sunday, which might mean he wouldn’t be ready to start the All-Star Game.

“We’re playing well in our division and I want to push hard right through the break, build on this lead if we can,” Piniella said.

Against the A.L. West, Seattle owns an 11-5 record, with three games against the Angels scheduled next weekend. The 5-1/2-game lead today matches the biggest in franchise history.

Notes

Alex Rodriguez doubled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Since coming off the disabled list Friday, he has at least one extra base hit a game. … The second error of the game by second baseman Joey Cora was his 14th of the season, most on the team. In 140 games last year, Cora had 13 errors. … Randy Johnson threw 127 pitches Sunday, and in his last two starts he has thrown 269 pitches. …Another two-game interleague series begins tonight at 7:05 when the M’s host the San Francisco Giants on Fox Sports Northwest.