Davis’ Fielding Woes Cured, M’S Say
After committing his 10th error of the season in Milwaukee earlier this week, third baseman Russ Davis was given a few days off to work on his defense - and his mind.
Having attended to both, Davis is back in the Seattle starting lineup.
“It’s not an easy position to play, and I looked up some stats when we sat Russ down for a few days,” infield coach Steve Smith said. “Dave Hollins in Anaheim has 10 errors, too. Cal Ripken Jr. has seven errors. Of all the infield positions, you’ve got less time to react at third base than anywhere else, and you can look brutal over there.
“Russ has to trust his talent, he has to want every ball hit to him.”
Mariners manager Lou Piniella said Davis was in a defensive slump.
“You get into a bad habit, it snowballs and pretty soon you’re not confident out there and your mechanics are shot,” Piniella said. “We gave him a couple of days to go back to the basics, that’s all. When you’re double-clutching the ball on every play, that’s a lack of confidence, and pretty soon your feet are going one way, your hands another.”
For three days, Smith hit Davis ground ball after ground ball, working on his footwork - and his head.
“You can make great plays over there and people don’t notice much because big-leaguers are supposed to make them,” Smith said. “But third is tough. At second and shortstop, you see the bounces coming. At first base if you knock the ball down there’s still time to underhand to the pitcher. At third, it’s on you.
“You see the home runs going up every year, it stands to reason guys are hitting the ball harder. At third base, you’re going to see bullets, and Russ has. I think he’s fine.”
Notes
Left-handed reliever Tim Davis says his left forearm is feeling much improved, but before he’s cleared to throw he’ll visit Dr. Lew Yocum in Los Angeles on Tuesday, when the Mariners are playing in Anaheim.
Lee Tinsley, his right elbow bearing the scar from surgery to remove a bone spur, was swinging a bat in the Kingdome on Saturday - though he’s not allowed to take batting practice or throw yet.
Dennis Martinez hit 89 mph on the radar gun during his start Friday and kept his velocity there most of the night, but Seattle still isn’t convinced he’s going to keep his job in the rotation. “Let’s just see what happens Wednesday,” Piniella said. That’s Martinez’s next start, in Anaheim.
Coming up
Seattle completes a five-game homestand with a 1:35 p.m. game with Baltimore in the Kingdome that will be televised on KIRO-TV. Probable starting pitchers: Baltimore’s Mike Mussina (5-1, 3.68) vs. Randy Johnson (5-1, 2.78).