Martinez survives jaunt to minors

M's DH gets extra swings, lessons in ducking wild pitches

KIRBY ARNOLD, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, March 22, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Edgar Martinez played "survivor" on Thursday and nearly voted himself off the island.

The Seattle Mariners' designated hitter spent the afternoon playing in minor-league games, an annual trek to the other side of the training facility in order to get more at-bats.

He got two hits, struck out twice, walked once and nearly had his head taken off in 10 at-bats against some overly exuberant minor-league pitchers from the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

He had been warned.

"Before the game, one of their coaches came over and said, 'Be careful with the second guy,' " Martinez said.

He watched the kid warm up wildly and decided to bat second that inning in hopes that the pitcher would settle down. Problem is, when Edgar Martinez steps to the plate, settling down is the last thing a Class A youngster does.

"They're out there shaking off the catcher, and you can see them working on a strategy against me," Martinez said. "The second pitcher I faced was really wild. I couldn't wait to get out of there. The first pitch was over my head and I almost got out."

Martinez stayed with the at-bat and struck out.

"It's not the same as up here (in the major leagues)," he said. "At that level, the mechanics are not what they should be. The second guy I faced, I couldn't dig in against him. He had no idea where he was going.

"Then the last time up I almost got hit and I said, 'OK, that's too many pitches too close to me.' "

Despite the adventure, Martinez says hitting in the minor-league camp is a much-needed exercise if he's to get his swing in shape by opening day.

Because several spring training games are in National League parks, the DH isn't used.

"The good thing is that you see a lot of pitches," he said. "And I saw all kinds of pitches. Sliders, curves, changeups, splits, cut fastballs. All kinds."

Martinez, who hit two home runs in the major league game on Wednesday, says nothing replaces game-action at-bats, even if it's against minor leaguers.

After he plays today against Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks, he will play in minor league games again Saturday.

"It's just a matter of getting in the games," he said. "They help you get your swing. If you don't play, you're not going to get the swing."

So far, Martinez says he has no worries about his hitting.

"What I worry about is when I don't have the bat speed," he said. "When you have the bat speed, you know that you can make an adjustment and you'll be fine. But when you lose the bat speed, forget it. It doesn't matter what you do, it's going to be hard. I feel I have good bat speed and that's why I'm not worried right now."

Mariners glance- Thursday: Seattle 5, Oakland 2.

- Today: Seattle vs. Arizona, noon (1240-AM).

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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