Tony Overman/The Olympian
New York's Alfonso Soriano steals second base as the ball bounces away from shortstop Carlos Guillen in the ninth inning at Safeco Field. Soriano went on to score later in the inning on David Justice's double.

Old form flashes in Guillen's return

GAIL WOOD, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published October 18

SEATTLE -- Fans greeted Carlos Guillen with a standing ovation Wednesday.

The Seattle Mariners shortstop responded with some slick defense against New York in his first game back since he was hospitalized with tuberculosis on Sept. 28.

He played all nine innings, figuring in five putouts, including two close plays at second base in New York's 4-1 victory in the first game of the American League Championship Series.

"I feel real good," the soft-spoken Guillen said. "I feel I can play every day. I feel better today than what I did before."

Before, he couldn't stop coughing. Before, he always felt weak, tired by the fifth inning.

"Now, I feel I can play every day," said the 26-year-old Guillen, who was born in Maracay, Venezuela.

However, it's not certain Guillen will play today in Game 2 at Safeco Field.

When Guillen went to the plate in the first inning, Mariner fans rose to their feet, applauding the shortstop who started 140 games for Seattle.

"I wasn't nervous," he said. "I wanted to play."

Guillen, who has gained 10 of the 12 pounds he lost and will continue to take medications for the next six months, earned his starting spot when he hit against teammate Brett Tomko in Tuesday's batting practice. Against the Yankees, Guillen grounded out twice, struck out and flew out to left field.

"Carlos looked like he hadn't missed a day," Mariners second baseman Bret Boone said. "Defense is always easier to catch up with. He hasn't seen any game pitching in over two weeks. He needs some more at-bats to get his timing."

Guillen last played Sept. 28 when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, missing the final nine games of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs against Cleveland.

Guillen said he began to feel run down at the end of August, yet he still batted .439 for September, going 18 for 41 -- his best month. He batted .267 for the season.

Guillen's return sent Mark McLemore to the bench.

"It was definitely good to have Carlos back," said McLemore, who started at short in the Cleveland series.

"None of us were worried about if he'd be able to hold up. Doctors said he could play. We knew he could play."

Against the Yankees, Guillen was involved in two close plays at second base.

In the fourth, Yankee catcher Jorge Posada lined an Aaron Sele pitch to the right-field wall. From near the warning track, Ichiro Suzuki threw a strike to Guillen at second.

Posada slid under the tag and was called safe. Paul O'Neill, who batted .091 in the first round of the playoffs, then homered for a 3-0 lead.

"I was looking for the ball," Guillen said. "Ichiro made a great throw. I got the tag on him, but it was a very close play. I'm not sure if he was safe or not."

Later in the fourth inning, Chuck Knoblauch slid under Guillen's tag for another double after Jay Buhner made a perfect throw to second. Guillen thought Knoblauch beat the tag.

"It was exciting to be back," Guillen said. "To miss many games but to be back for the playoffs, it feels real good."

On the web:

Mariners American League Championship Series Special Section (Oct. 17)

Seattle Mariners

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