Moyer earns opening-day start for Seattle

Seattle manager Mike Hargrove confirmed Tuesday what was becoming apparent in the past week – left-hander Jamie Moyer will be the Mariners’ starter on opening day.

Moyer was lined up in the spring rotation to pitch Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins in Seattle. Going into today’s appearance against Kansas City, he was 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA this spring.

“It’s a privilege and an honor,” said Moyer, who also pitched Seattle’s openers in 2000 and 2004. “There is a lot of emphasis put on opening day.”

Moyer won 21 games and was an All-Star in 2003, but he’s trying to bounce back from a 7-13 season last year. He’s one of the most popular Mariners, known in Seattle for his charity work as much as his pitching.

Moyer said he’ll treat it like any other start.

“There is a lot of excitement, but there’s also excitement on July 28 when you pitch,” he said. “That never changes. I’m trying not to make more of it than it is.”

Nelson, Sele on the bubble

Jeff Nelson and Aaron Sele couldn’t be in a more similar situation.

The Mariners must decide today if the veteran right-handed pitchers will make the 2005 opening-day roster.

They’ve pitched well at spring training and would seem to have the team made after coming to spring training as non-roster players, but they also know there’s more to roster decisions than how they performed for four weeks in Arizona.

“I’m at ease either way,” said Sele, who figures he has pitched well enough to catch on with another team if the M’s don’t want him.

Nelson?

“I don’t want to have to make a decision,” he said. “I don’t want to know why I didn’t make it and wonder what I’m going to do.”

Six weeks ago, Nelson said he would retire if he didn’t make the team. But that was before a full exhibition season proved to him that his arm is strong and his pitches are effective.

If the Mariners don’t keep him, he might retire on the spot but he also might listen to offers for a 22nd and final professional season. He wants it to be with the Mariners.

“Family means a lot to me, the Mariners mean a lot to me, the city means a lot to me,” said Nelson, 38, who broke in with the M’s in 1992 and also played for them from 2001 to 2003. He would become the first to play three stints with the Mariners.

“I want to end it as a Mariner,” Nelson said.

Nelson has a 5.00 ERA this spring, but he has allowed just two earned runs and struck out eight in his past six appearances.

“If I don’t make this team, Oakland could come to me tomorrow and say, ‘We want you to pitch for us,’ and that would be a tough decision to make,” he said. “I feel like I can help any team, but this is the only place I really want to play.”

Sele was knocked around in his final exhibition start Tuesday, but said he is satisfied with the month he had.

“I’ve had a lot of fun,” said Sele.

Blanton, A’s double up Mariners

Joe Blanton is trying to make the most of his chance to earn a spot in the Oakland Athletics’ starting rotation.

Blanton worked six innings and Nick Swisher hit a three-run homer, helping the A’s beat Seattle 10-5 in Phoenix.

Seattle starter Aaron Sele gave up eight runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Seattle’s Adrian Beltre hit a monstrous home run to center field. Ichiro Suzuki singled in the fifth, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. Richie Sexson went 2 for 3 and is 17 for 42 (.405) in his last 15 games.

M’s send Gil to Mets

The New York Mets acquired infielder Benji Gil, 32, from the Mariners for cash.

Out of the majors since 2003, Gil will report to the Mets’ minor league camp. He hit .304 (7 for 23) with one homer and three RBIs this spring for Seattle.