Seattle takes the field
PEORIA, Ariz. – The games begin today for the Seattle Mariners, but don’t look for their complete lineup to play together for nearly a month.
Extra work and days off are an important part of the spring training regimen before near-nonstop six-month season, and manager John McLaren doesn’t plan to play everyone until the final week of exhibition games.
Today’s opener against the San Diego Padres, for example, will feature a Mariners lineup of Ichiro Suzuki in center field, Jose Vidro at DH, Brad Wilkerson in right, Adrian Beltre at third base, Brian LaHair at first base, Mike Morse in left, Jose Lopez at second base, Jamie Burke at catcher and Willie Bloomquist at shortstop.
Those who don’t play will stay behind on the Mariners’ practice fields working with hitting coach Jeff Pentland.
“It’s a real balancing act getting everybody’s extra work in and trying to put a competitive club on the field,” McLaren said.
One combination he may play more than others in the next month is Ichiro in center field and Wilkerson in right as they become accustomed to each other.
“It’s not so important now as it is later on in camp,” he said. “They obviously have to get used to each other, but it’s not going to be by design to keep those two together every time.”
Left-hander Jarrod Washburn will start today for the Mariners and probably pitch two innings.
Hold that note
Mariners pitcher Miguel Batista has experienced the thrill of a World Series championship with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the accomplishment of writing a novel and the satisfaction of delivering medical supplies in Latin America.
Tuesday night at a concert in Phoenix, he learned all about circular breathing from his musical idol. He met Kenny G.
Batista has long been a fan of the saxophonist and began playing the sax himself last year, taking a class at the University of Washington.
He didn’t miss the chance to go backstage before the concert, where they talked about such topics as practice and holding a note for 43 minutes, which Kenny G once did.
“It was a great night,” Batista said. “Not many people can say they had a chance to meet one of their heroes.”
Of note
Single-game tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Safeco Field box office. Tickets also are available online at www.mariners.com or by phone at 206-622-HITS. … First baseman Richie Sexson left the complex early Wednesday after his son Gavin became ill and was taken to a hospital in the Phoenix area.