Hargrove to 'tighten some things' as season opener nears
PEORIA, Ariz. — Just two weeks of spring training remain and Seattle Mariners manager Mike Hargrove is trying to look past a losing record — 4-11 entering Thursday night's split-squad exhibition game against San Francisco — to focus on positive aspects of camp.
Still, Hargrove did say "we'll tighten some things" before the season opener April 2 against Oakland at Safeco Field in Seattle.
"The games we have lost have resulted in basically one bad inning for us," Hargrove said. "We've been in just about every game, and pitching seems to fail us in that one critical inning."
The third-year Mariners manager likes what he's seen of his players' attitude and work ethic.
"I like the way we have been competitive," Hargrove said, but added, "there are some areas where I'm not pleased and that goes a bit beyond just concerned."
The bullpen is the biggest worry. Closer J.J. Putz, who saved 36 games last season, has not pitched in a game since March 5 because of a tight right elbow, and Hargrove indicated Putz may not appear in another game until next week.
Then there's the productivity of Chris Reitsma.
The Mariners signed him to a one-year contract following his season-ending elbow surgery last summer to be their primary setup reliever to Putz, after Seattle traded Rafael Soriano to Atlanta for starter Horacio Ramirez.
Though Reitsma recorded a perfect ninth inning Monday to save a 6-5 win over Oakland, Hargrove said he is looking for stronger outings from the 29-year-old right-hander.
At least Reitsma's elbow feels better, though he said it's not fully back to pitching shape yet. The Mariners' only major injury has been to left-handed pitcher Cesar Jimenez, set to undergo surgery Friday for a stress fracture of the left elbow. He didn't figure prominently in Seattle's plans for 2007.
All-Star second baseman Jose Lopez is back and playing — though not every day — after taking about two months to recover from a right ankle sprain from winter ball in Venezuela in January.
Utility Willie
Willie Bloomquist was hitting .400 this spring entering Thursday. But he could be hitting .800 and he still wouldn't be in the regular lineup come April.
The 29-year-old native of Bremerton, Wash., knows the Mariners are committed to Lopez at second base and Yuniesky Betancourt at shortstop. So it's going to be another season as a utility infielder and outfielder for Bloomquist.
"That's the role I've had here for the past five years, but sure, I want to play more," he said Thursday. "I've adjusted a few things and worked with (hitting coach Jeff Pentland).
"I have a good mindset, but I know my job here."
Short Hops
The Mariners dropped a 9-3 decision to the Chicago Cubs in Mesa in the day half of the split-squad pair of games. Cha Seung Baek took the loss and allowed seven hits and six runs in three innings of work. Brandon Morrow, the Mariners' first round pick in the 2006 draft, pitched two scoreless innings, and gave up only an infield single. ... Bloomquist extended his hitting streak to six games by going 1-for-3. Bloomquist is hitting .526, 10-for-19, during the span. ... At this point, Hargrove will not commit to left-hander Arthur Rhodes making the squad. A non-roster player, Rhodes, 37, is coming off an 0-5 season with a 5.32 ERA and four saves with Philadelphia. "I like what I see of him," is all Hargrove would say.
