SPOTLIGHT ON SORIANO: The Mariners will take an extra-long look at Rafael Soriano's final two starts before the All-Star break.
The still-winless rookie starting pitcher (0-3, 4.30 earned-run average) pitches tonight against Kansas City and again Sunday against Minnesota.
After that, club brass will sit down and discuss whether to continue with the 22-year-old Soriano as the team's No. 5 starter, or if they want go with the veteran expertise of lefty John Halama, who has been exceptional (3-2, 2.30) the first half of the season.
"We want to see Soriano have positive results," pitching coach Bryan Price said. "We'll talk it over at the break, which way we want to go."
Price said that the club wants to keep Soriano pitching as a starter. So if he's not pitching in Seattle's rotation, he probably would be pitching in the Tacoma rotation.
"We believe in the kid's stuff, obviously," Price said. "But would he be better served pitching (in the minor leagues) where he could work on his changeup and spotting his fastball? That's something we have to think about."
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A SPOT FOR OLE: Recognizing that first baseman John Olerud was his hottest hitter, manager Lou Piniella made a mid-June lineup change.
Starting on June 12, Piniella moved Olerud into the No. 3 spot in the lineup against right-handers, batting him fifth against lefties, including last night against Royals lefty Darrell May.
Now that Seattle has Edgar Martinez healthy again, and now that Bret Boone and Mark McLemore are back as well, don't look for a change.
"I like the way our lineup looks with him batting third," Piniella said. "It's a good spot for him. I'm not going to move him."
The still-winless rookie starting pitcher (0-3, 4.30 earned-run average) pitches tonight against Kansas City and again Sunday against Minnesota.
After that, club brass will sit down and discuss whether to continue with the 22-year-old Soriano as the team's No. 5 starter, or if they want go with the veteran expertise of lefty John Halama, who has been exceptional (3-2, 2.30) the first half of the season.
"We want to see Soriano have positive results," pitching coach Bryan Price said. "We'll talk it over at the break, which way we want to go."
Price said that the club wants to keep Soriano pitching as a starter. So if he's not pitching in Seattle's rotation, he probably would be pitching in the Tacoma rotation.
"We believe in the kid's stuff, obviously," Price said. "But would he be better served pitching (in the minor leagues) where he could work on his changeup and spotting his fastball? That's something we have to think about."
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A SPOT FOR OLE: Recognizing that first baseman John Olerud was his hottest hitter, manager Lou Piniella made a mid-June lineup change.
Starting on June 12, Piniella moved Olerud into the No. 3 spot in the lineup against right-handers, batting him fifth against lefties, including last night against Royals lefty Darrell May.
Now that Seattle has Edgar Martinez healthy again, and now that Bret Boone and Mark McLemore are back as well, don't look for a change.
"I like the way our lineup looks with him batting third," Piniella said. "It's a good spot for him. I'm not going to move him."
