Affeldt thumps M’s, makes case for rotation
Medical Lake’s Jeremy Affeldt boosted his bid for a spot in Kansas City’s rotation, allowing only one hit in six innings as the Royals beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 Wednesday night.
Fernando Vina’s RBI double in the third, which scored Seattle newcomer Joe Borchard, was the lone hit given up by Affeldt. The 26-year-old left-hander, who spent last season in the bullpen, walked one, hit a batter with a pitch and struck out three in the win.
Affeldt is competing with right-handers Denny Bautista and Mike Wood for the final two rotation spots. Affeldt’s name has also been linked to several trade rumors.
Ichiro returns
Ichiro Suzuki got his World Baseball Classic championship with Japan, and the Mariners finally have their leadoff hitter back.
After nearly three weeks of exhibition games without Ichiro, the Mariners will have their entire lineup together for the final days of spring training. He is expected to start tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Mariners now can put together the batting order they’ll use in the regular season, allowing hitting coach Jeff Pentland to emphasize to everyone the approach he wants to see this year.
His message: If every hitter does what they’re capable of, they’ll succeed as a team.
“To me it’s a coordinated effort, like a football play,” Pentland said. “I don’t want nine hitters going nine different directions.”
Soriano gets busy, finally
Alfonso Soriano’s only chance in left field was a reminder of the good old days, before the Washington Nationals finally persuaded him to change positions.
Soriano jogged in a few steps to catch a routine fly ball by Albert Pujols, then threw to second base to double off David Eckstein.
Soriano agreed to make the move from second base only two days after refusing to take his new spot in the outfield.
Gooden admits violation
Former baseball star Dwight Gooden admitted in court that he violated his probation by using cocaine and likely faces prison time when he is sentenced next month.
Dressed in an orange jail uniform and with family members looking on, the 41-year-old former pitcher answered, “Yes, sir,” when state Circuit Judge Anthony K. Black asked him if he had violated his probation. He will remain in jail and faces up to five years in prison after a hearing April 5.
Gooden admitted to a probation officer last week that he had used cocaine. He was serving three years’ probation for speeding away from a police officer during a drunken driving stop last year.