Mariners Prevail Despite Wolcott
Bob Wolcott, who had been the staff ace for the Seattle Mariners this spring (1.93 ERA), was hammered Wednesday by San Diego, giving up eight hits and nine runs in 1-2/3 innings.
San Diego’s early 9-2 lead was hardly enough, however, in a game that featured 25 runs and 35 hits. The Mariners came back for a 13-12 win.
Former Mariner pitcher Sterling Hitchcock started for San Diego, getting tagged for eight runs in four innings.
Mariner Edgar Martinez, with hits in all three at-bats, continued his sizzling streak, hitting safely in 16 of his last 21 appearances to lift his average to .522.
Camp notes
Seven players were trimmed from the Mariners’ roster, paring the total to 34. Pitcher Alex Pacheco and outfielder Lou Frazier were optioned to Tacoma, while Mark Holzemer (pitcher), Alan Zinter (catcher), Brian Raabe (infielder) and Kevin Reimer (outfielder) were reassigned to the minor league camp.
Only veteran infielder Chris Sabo was given his unconditional release - a move that was particularly difficult for Piniella, who had Sabo at third base when he managed the 1990 Cincinnati Reds to a World Championship.
“I hope he catches on (with another team),” Piniella said. “He’s had a heckuva career and he’s a great young man.” The 35-year-old Sabo said he thinks he can still help a major league team, but that he wouldn’t make any calls to try to latch on. The release, then, could put an end to a career that was highlighted by two All-Star game appearances and a 1988 National League Rookie of the Year honor.
Bringing in infielder Brent Gates made Raabe expendable. “There’s not that much playing time (to go around),” Piniella said. “(Raabe) can swing the bat, put the ball in play, hits with occasional home run power.”
Other than his own emotions tied to the Sabo release, “basically, everybody took it OK,” Piniella said. “We really strengthened the AAA club.”
Still, Piniella has some lingering personnel issues at hand. “We’ve got some important decisions to make,” Piniella said. “We’ve got to make some decisions on the fifth starting (pitcher) role, on the middle of our bullpen, on our backup catching situation, on the infield, on the outfield. Every area needs some decisions and one decision feeds on the other.”