The Associated Press
John Olerud legs out a double during the third inning on Friday as Seattle topped Oakland 7-1. Olerud drove in a run on the play. He hit a home run in the first inning.

The Associated Press
James Baldwin allowed five hits and one run in his first outing for the Mariners. He went seven innings, striking out six and walking one in the 7-1 victory over the Oakland A's.

Mission accomplished

Baldwin proves point to teammates, Athletics in M's 7-1 win over Oakland

ELLIOTT SMITH, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Saturday, April 6, 2002

SEATTLE -- James Baldwin had something to prove -- to himself and to the Seattle Mariners.

Consider both goals accomplished.

The veteran right-hander, signed in the offseason to replace workhorse Aaron Sele, was impressive in his Seattle debut, leading the Mariners to a 7-1 victory Friday.

It was a performance that left his teammates wowed.

"He threw a great game," Edgar Martinez said. "He was sharp, he was aggressive. He did a great job."

Baldwin labored through a 2001 season with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, feeling the effects of offseason shoulder surgery.

Questions about his health still lingered, part of the reason why the Mariners were able to sign the former ace of the White Sox staff so cheaply -- $1.25 million.

But from his first pitch, Baldwin felt as comfortable as he had his entire career.

"I felt good," he said. "I was pitching off pure adrenaline. But I felt good. It was a huge win for me personally and for us as a team."

From the Mariners' standpoint, acquiring Baldwin was somewhat of a risk given his health and the fact that he had reached the 200 inning plateau -- a barrier Sele regularly broke -- only once, in 1997.

Baldwin's effort Friday reinforced Seattle manager Lou Piniella's belief that the pitcher can easily fill the role of the team's No. 4 starter.

"Baldwin pitched awful well," Piniella said. "He stayed strong and hit his pitch count. He competes. Tonight he pitched very, very well and he was in control of the game."

In his seven innings of work, Baldwin was hardly threatened, using double plays to get out of the first two innings and retiring the A's in order in three more. He allowed only five hits while striking out six.

The only mistake he made was to Oakland rookie Carlos Pena, who blasted a sixth-inning home run. By that time, the Mariners already held a 4-0 lead.

"It was beautiful to get that kind of support," Baldwin said. "Any pitcher would be satisfied with that. But you still have to throw the ball for strikes."

Seattle got to Oakland starter Erik Hiljus early, as Bret Boone and John Olerud connected for their first home runs of the season in the first inning -- Boone a two-run shot, followed by Olerud's solo blast one batter later.

"Boonie's a strong young man," Piniella said of Boone's hard-hit homer. "We scored the three in the first, and pitching and defense took care of the rest."

Boone and Olerud collaborated on the Mariners' next run as well, as Boone scored on Olerud's sixth-inning double.

Seattle broke the game open in the sixth and seventh, as new Mariners Ben Davis and Jeff Cirillo drove in three runs.

It was a good night for Davis, who made his Mariner debut a memorable one by also calling Baldwin's great game.

"I was a little nervous out there," the young catcher said. "But it was good to get back in the saddle."

It was a special night for Martinez as well, as the Mariners' venerable DH tied Ken Griffey Jr.'s team record for runs scored at 1,063. But don't expect Martinez to start clearing out room in his trophy case for the honor.

"I don't know what to say about that," a visibly frazzled Martinez said, throwing his hands in the air. "I don't know. Hits, doubles, yes, but for some reason, runs are not too big."

Even though it's early, every win is big for the Mariners when it comes to the A's, whom they will face 19 times to determine supremacy in the division.

"It was a huge win for us," Baldwin said. "We wanted to set the tone against them."

Leading the way was Baldwin, whose intense demeanor on the mound, coupled with his slow stride to the dugout and fist-pumping celebrations quickly endeared him to the Safeco faithful.

"I had fun out there," he said. "I have to be emotional. That's just the way I am. I let (my teammates) know they do a good job. I'm not trying to show anyone up. That's me."

Elliott Smith covers sports for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5473 or ejsmith1@olympia.gannett.com.

Mariners 7, Athletics 1

- Record: 3-1.

- Today: Oakland (Mulder 1-0) at Seattle (Garcia 0-1), 6 p.m. (FSN).

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