Mariners Noon Number: 3

Taylor Motter became the third shortstop in Seattle Mariners’ club history to record three doubles in a game in Tuesday’s 7-5 loss to the Houston Astros, joining Willie Bloomquist (July 6, 2005) and Rey Quinones (Aug. 7, 1988).

Motter is going to get the lion’s share of playing time at short while Jean Segura is on the shelf with a strained hamstring and he’s off to a good start.

So was Segura. In fact, the speedster acquired along with Mitch Haniger in the Tajuan Walker deal over the winter is hitting .313/.353/.406 in his eight games so far with a homer and three stolen bases.

Segura is really the only Mariners hitter living up to his past stats so it’s tough to see him go down so early in the season, especially with an injury that tends to linger longer than players like to admit.

As for Motter, he’s the type of player fans love. He’s willing to play all over the field in order to see his name on the back of a Major League uniform hanging in his locker every day.

Motter’s a limited offensive player though, nowhere near the pedigree of Segura. Motter is a lifetime .272/.349/.428 hitter in six minor league seasons. That’s fine for a utility player, but not a guy you want starting for long periods of time.

But at least his name is in the record books now.