News
Ichiro likely won't be ready for finale
Seattle (65-61) vs. Oakland (55-70), 7:10 p.m. PT
By Jim Street / MLB.com
08/26/09 3:07 AM ET
SEATTLE -- The Mariners could be facing at least one more game without Ichiro Suzuki. "I know we talked about him playing [in Wednesday night's series finale]," manager Don Wakamatsu said, "but I don't think that's going to be a reality." A sore left calf has been bothering the right fielder for almost a week and it got so bad on Sunday in Cleveland that he was unable to run out a grounder. He missed the final inning of that game and the first two games of the three-game series against the Athletics. "I just talked to him in the training room and he feels better today," Wakamatsu said prior to Tuesday night's game. "He came out and moved around a little bit, but he did not run yet and I think it's still going to be a day-to-day." Until Ichiro actually goes through a full pre-game routine of hitting and running, his status would remain uncertain. "We'll have a better idea [ when he'll play] when that happens," Wakamatsu said. A Mariners lineup without Ichiro's name at the top is strange. "I sit there, start with an 'I,' and then I go blank for a while," Wakamatsu said. "With our lineup, we've had so many changes in it that you write him in and then you sit there. It's tough. You watch him play day in and day out and you start to understand how special he really is. "I saw it for a number of years on the other side. It's awfully good to see it on our side. It's really amazing to me that he doesn't have more injuries than he does." With 37 games remaining in the regular season, Ichiro already has missed more games (10) than any of his previous eight seasons with the Mariners. He was unavailable for the first eight games of the season while recovering from a bleeding ulcer that put him on the 15-day disabled list. The more games he misses, the more difficult it would be for him to become the first player in MLB history to have at least 200 hits in nine consecutive seasons. He currently has an MLB-leading 184 hits. "I think we all want to accomplish the same thing, have him accomplish that goal and that's what we keep talking about," Wakamatsu said. "Hes going to want to get out there as fast as possible, but we want to be able to keep him on the field once we get him active." With or without Ichiro in the lineup, the Mariners continue the 10-game homestand with left-hander Luke French opposing Athletics lefty Gio Gonzalez in the 7:10 p.m. PT series finale. Pitching matchupSEA: LHP Luke French (3-3, 3.83 ERA)
In his last start -- against the Indians -- French's offense gave him a 7-1 lead in the fourth inning, which made the lefty's night a lot easier. French made sure he didn't let down, controlling the Indians through six innings in a 9-4 win. He allowed eight hits but stayed away from the big rally, as Cleveland scored one run in the second, fifth and sixth innings. French struck out six, tying a career high, and credited an improved slider with his swings and misses. French is 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA in four starts since being acquired from the Tigers for left-hander Jarrod Washburn on July 31. OAK: LHP Gio Gonzalez (4-4, 5.78 ERA)
Gonzalez continued his efforts in improving his command and pounding the strike zone in his last start, but took a loss against a tough Detroit lineup. The 23-year-old lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs -- two courtesy of solo homers -- on four hits, walking four and striking out a career-high nine batters. In his first start against Seattle this season, Gonzalez walked away with a no-decision after giving up three runs on five hits in five innings. He struck out one and walked four in that outing. Tidbits
Injured third baseman Adrian Beltre came through Monday's workout "pretty good," according to Wakamatsu, but the manager said he still didn't know if Beltre would come off the 15-day disabled list on Friday. His injury (a severely contused right testicle) seems to be improving each day. ... Right-handed reliever Chris Jakubauskas tested his right shoulder during a bullpen session on Tuesday and bullpen coach John Wetteland said there were no problems. Jakubauskas, who was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma last Friday, might throw another BP on Wednesday and pitch for Tacoma on Friday. But nothing is set in stone. ... If second baseman Jose Lopez sticks around for another 15 or 20 years, he could become one of the most-feared sluggers in baseball. He has increased his home run output in each of the past four seasons -- from 10 in 2006 to 11 in '07, 17 in '08 and 18 this season. ... Ken Griffey Jr., added Athletics right-hander Vin Mazzaro to his long list of home run victims on Monday night. Mazzaro became the 403rd different pitcher to surrender a home run to the veteran. Barry Bonds is the all-time leader with 449 victims. Tickets
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• Thursday: Mariners (Doug Fister, 1-0, 2.21) vs. Royals (Kyle Davies, 4-9, 6.12), 7:10 p.m. PT
• Friday: Mariners (Felix Hernandez, 12-5, 2.73) vs. Royals (Brian Bannister, 7-10, 4.50), 7:10 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Mariners (Ian Snell, 4-9, 5.37) vs. Royals (Gil Meche, 6-9, 4.75), 7:10 p.m. PT
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
