The Associated Press
Seattle Mariners second baseman Bret Boone (left) looks for the umpire's call as he tags out Oakland runner Miguel Tejada on a steal attempt during the M's 5-2 win on Thursday in Phoenix.

Garcia impresses in six-inning stint

KIRBY ARNOLD, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, March 22, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seattle Mariners opening-day starter Freddy Garcia pitched six innings of a minor-league game Thursday and continued to impress pitching coach Bryan Price, especially with his changeup.

"He's not throwing his best changeup right now, although today it might be the best changeup he's thrown all spring," Price said.

"Guys have a hard time gripping the ball here, the air is light and he doesn't get as much movement on his changeup as he does pitching regular-season games. When you think about adding that pitch to his fastball and breaking ball, it's pretty exciting."

Garcia will get one more exhibition start before the season opener against the White Sox on April 1.

Why face the kids?

The Mariners decided it was best for Garcia to get his work against minor-leaguers and let John Halama pitch Thursday night against Oakland.

The Mariners have decided that Halama, who began spring training as one of the candidates for the fifth starting job, will begin the season in the bullpen.

"Most reasonably Freddy is going to see a lot of Oakland this year and it made sense not to be out there throwing a lot against them," Price said.

"But it works both ways because you can see their hitters and get familiar with their hitters. We had two guys who needed to start and it seemed to make more sense that John face major league hitters and Freddy not."

- BOONE SHINES: Bret Boone tripled in two runs in the third inning as the Seattle Mariners beat Oakland 5-2 on Thursday night in Phoenix, snapping a five-game exhibition losing streak against the A's.

Halama pitched four innings for the victory, allowing a run on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Brian Fitzgerald pitched the ninth for the save.

Terrence Long hit his first home run for Oakland, which has lost three of its last four games.

Erik Hiljus took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

After Long homered for Oakland in the second, Boone's two-run triple in the third put Seattle ahead to stay.

Mark McLemore, Alex Arias and Ichiro Suzuki also drove in runs for the Mariners.

- NICE TIMING: The lineup card won't be drawn up until this morning, but catcher Ben Davis has been told he'll play today against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He greeted the news with the look of a kid who got nothing but socks and sweaters for Christmas.

"They say tomorrow, but the Unit is pitching," said Davis, who would face Randy Johnson if he plays. "That'll really help me out."

Davis, who hasn't played since March 13 because of a strained abdominal muscle, has thrown and taken batting practice the last few days.

"It'll be nice to get back out there," he said. "I just hope it doesn't hurt."

- LOU MAY RETURN: Manager Lou Piniella, who left the team Monday to be with his sick father in Florida, may return as early as today.

Louis Piniella, 83, continued to improve in a Tampa hospital after being admitted with double pneumonia.

"If he's on his way, that's got to be a good sign," said bench coach John McLaren, who has run the team in Piniella's absence.

- GETTING HEALTHY: Mike Cameron and Desi Relaford, two players who missed much of last week because of injuries, started Thursday night.

It was Cameron's second straight game after missing a week with back spasms. Relaford played for the first time after suffering a tender hamstring.

- OLERUD STAYS HOME: First baseman John Olerud did not come to the training complex on Thursday because of a personal situation involving his family.

Olerud's 18-month-old daughter, Jordan, has suffered from health problems since birth.

- TODAY IN CAMP: Mariners vs. Diamondbacks in Peoria, noon on KGY radio (1240-AM) and KIRO TV (Channel 7). Right-hander Ryan Franklin will start for the Mariners against left-hander Randy Johnson. Right-handers Ken Cloude and Shigetoshi Hasegawa also will pitch for the Mariners.

Mariners left-hander Jamie Moyer is scheduled to pitch six innings of a minor-league game.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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