Extended slump perplexes Sexson
The mental marks of his season-long hitting skid have left Seattle Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson in a worrisome state.
Sexson went 0 for 4 and struck out three times Wednesday, including at-bats in the first and ninth innings when the Mariners had runners in scoring position.
He’s batting .186 with three home runs and 17 runs batted in.
Manager Mike Hargrove has tried to show patience, pointing out that Sexson is a streaky hitter who will produce numbers over the course of the season.
Sexson is tired of waiting.
“It’s been enough at-bats where I should have turned it around by now,” he said. “It’s frustrating, kind of a man-tester I guess. You’ve got to keep going and hopefully it will turn.”
Asked what more he could do – more work in the batting cages, more video, etc. – to change his slump, Sexson came up empty.
Mateo gets closer
Pitcher Julio Mateo, on the disabled list because of right shoulder tendinitis, expects to pitch off the bullpen mound Friday in Anaheim.
He threw off flat ground Wednesday morning and said the shoulder felt good. He expected need one bullpen session and one simulated game to be ready.
Mateo is eligible to come off the DL Sunday.