Sexson takes a seat

SEATTLE – A long-awaited lineup move occurred Wednesday when struggling Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson was benched and Ben Broussard started against the Angels.

Whether it was a one-day thing or the beginning of a lineup trend, Mariners manager John McLaren wouldn’t say.

By the numbers, the move made sense for the day. Broussard had five hits in 11 career at-bats against Angels starter Jered Weaver, while Sexson was 0 for 9 with four strikeouts. He came into Wednesday’s game off the bench.

“Richie has been struggling and Ben has been swinging the bat pretty good,” McLaren said before the game. “I’m not going to say this is going to be a platoon by any stretch of the imagination.”

Broussard, a left-handed hitter who has played left field, right field, first base and DH, entered the day batting .287 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 136 at-bats. Sexson is batting .200 with 17 home runs and 54 RBI in 345 at-bats.

“It’s four months (into the season) and Richie needs to get going,” McLaren said. “We keep thinking today’s going to be the day. If he plays Friday, we hope that Friday is the day he turns it around. He needs to pick it up.”

Against Friday’s scheduled starter, Boston left-hander Jon Lester, Sexson is 0 for 3 with two strikeouts while Broussard hasn’t faced him.

It’s clear that McLaren is seeking more at-bats for Broussard, who went 2 for 2 with three RBI and hit a tying two-run homer Sunday after he entered the game when Sexson was ejected.

“You can’t read too much into this,” Broussard said. “It’s one of those things you have no control over. I hope we stick with what we’ve been doing this year. I’ve been in there more, playing right and left and first and DH. Maybe that’s what’s going on.”

Broussard considers Sexson one of his best friends on the team and hopes he gets a chance to break out of his hitting slump.

“I think he’s going to carry us,” Broussard said. “I was here last year when he had a strong second half. He’s one of those impact players who can carry a team.”

Other concerns

While Sexson’s problems have drawn considerable attention, he isn’t the Mariners’ only problem hitter. Left fielder Raul Ibanez batted .184 in July and entered the day with a .253 season average.

“I have a positive take on it,” McLaren said. “If we can get these guys going at the right time, it’s going to be when we need it. If we’re not getting that, then we’re going to have to look at different options.”

Among the options is to play Broussard more in left field and bench Ibanez, although McLaren isn’t ready for that.

“I look for what the guys do before the game in their preparation,” he said. “It’s being in the weight room, studying films, being in the cage with (hitting coach Jeff Pentland). These guys are doing that and that’s important to me. If they weren’t doing those things, then we have a different scenario.”

“The Mariners went 14-14 last month, the first time they’ve been at least .500 in July since going 15-12 in 2002.