TUCSON, Ariz. - The Colorado Rockies are taking a cautious approach with Kaz Matsui's injured foot, and the results have been good so far.
Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki of Japan doubles during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game with the Colorado Rockies in Tucson, Arizona.
The Colorado Rockies are taking a cautious approach with Kaz Matsui's injured foot, and the results have been good so far.
Matsui had three singles in the Rockies' 7-4 loss to Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Matsui, the club's starting second baseman, had been out since March 12 with a strained left foot.
He said he felt like it had healed, though he probably won't play in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.
PEORIA, Ariz. ? A little after 8 a.m., Mark Lowe was naked on the practice field Tuesday ? and then his morning got weird.
It started as one of those wacky bets players make. As Seattle Mariners pitchers gathered to run, Lowe bet strength and conditioning coach Allen Wirtala that he couldn?t hit the foul pole with a 40-foot throw three times in a row.
And if he did?
The Indians came to spring training thirsting to know the answers to only two questions: Was Matt Miller totally recovered from the elbow surgery he had last year? And who would be the utility infielder?
Miller has responded by giving up two runs and striking out 16 in 7 1/3 innings. The second question has become almost as resistant to an answer as, ``What is the sound of one hand clapping?''
Which at times is the way -- with one hand -- Hector Luna seems to play the infield. Luna is part of an equation that becomes more complex as the exhibition season wears on.
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Brandon Morrow is presenting a dilemma for the Mariners. A welcome one.
A 22-year-old right-hander not quite one year removed from pitching for the University of California, Morrow is drawing attention in the Seattle's spring training camp. His numbers this month - just two hits allowed in 6 1-3, scoreless innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts - are as impressive as his work ethic and preparation.
Suddenly, Seattle is unsure what to do with its fifth overall draft choice from last June.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The old Barry and the new Barry will rub shoulders in the San Francisco Giants clubhouse every day this season.
That was Barry Zito's idea, and it was typical Zito.
Avoid the negativity that surrounds Barry Bonds' chase of Henry Aaron's home run record? Hide from the snippy confrontations between the dour, condescending Bonds and the national media assigned to cover him, his home runs and the ongoing steroid drama surrounding him?
PEORIA, Ariz. - The Seattle Mariners' pitchers often are on the practice field at first light of the day running through conditioning drills. On Tuesday, there was more shining than the rising sun.
PEORIA, Ariz. - Brandon Morrow is presenting a dilemma for the Seattle Mariners. A welcome one.
A 22-year-old right-hander not quite one year removed from pitching for the University of California, Morrow is drawing attention in the Mariners' spring training camp. His numbers this month -- just two hits allowed in 6 1-3 scoreless innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts -- are as impressive as his work ethic and preparation.
Suddenly, Seattle is unsure what to do with its fifth overall draft choice from last June.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Jeff Weaver looked more like the guy who was dumped by the Los Angeles Angels last July than the postseason star who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series last October. Weaver gave up consecutive homers to Chris Young and Stephen Drew in a five-run first inning Tuesday as the Seattle Mariners lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1. In all, Weaver allowed six runs, seven hits and two walks in four innings. He has an 8.31 ERA, allowing 12 runs and 18 hits in 1...
TUCSON, Ariz. - Jeff Weaver looked more like the guy who was dumped by the Los Angeles Angels last July than the postseason star who helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series last October.
Seattle Mariners' Mike Morse right, waits for throw as Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Snyder left, gets back to first base in a pickoff attempt during the fourth inning.
PEORIA, Ariz. ? The moment J.J. Putz felt tightness in his right elbow, the Seattle Mariners experienced a tightness of breath.
Teams know, and pitchers know better, that the act of throwing a baseball is an occupational hazard ? and every pitch is potentially career ending. Putz is already throwing again, but his teammates on the Seattle pitching staff related.
Most of them have had similar moments.
PEORIA, Ariz. - The Seattle Mariners were one of the best defensive teams in baseball a year ago. There's no reason to expect anything different this season, even as the team works with catcher Kenji Johjima on his throwing.
Johjima has been bothered by a tender throwing elbow and Milwaukee took advantage on Sunday, twice successfully stealing on the Mariners' second-year catcher. Johjima also committed a throwing error during a rundown.
This season's defensive coach is John McLaren, who has returned to Seattle as manager Mike Hargrove's bench coach, after serving the same role under Lou Piniella with the Mariners from 1998-2002. One of McLaren's first tasks has been working with Johjima.
Jamie Moyer hardly looked like the composed pitcher he is on the mound when he talked about Camp Erin.
Moyer, a 44-year-old left-hander with the Philadelphia Phillies, choked up and paused mid-sentence before he announced Monday that he and his wife plan to open a camp in every major league baseball city for children ages 6 to 17 who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
Jamie and Karen Moyer opened the first Camp Erin — named after a teenager they knew who died of cancer in 2000 — in Washington state in 2002. At the weekend camp, children and teens meet with grief counselors and interact with peers experiencing similar sorrow.
MESA, Ariz. -- Wade Miller has all but won the job as the Chicago Cubs' fifth starting pitcher and got extra help Monday from his teammates at the plate.
Michael Barrett hit two home runs and drove in four runs, Aramis Ramirez had a two-run homer and Alfonso Soriano added a solo shot -- his second home run of the spring -- as the Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 16-4 in a split-squad game.
Second baseman Ryan Theriot, who has won a spot on the roster after playing in 53 games last year, went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI. Derrek Lee had three singles, a double and three RBI for Chicago.
MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have said since the start of spring training that for the first time in years, they're not relying on Mark Prior and Kerry Wood to be successful.
Now they get to prove it.
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Des Hamilton enjoyed carrying on inside jokes with friends.
Scott Leffler was ours.
Hamilton, a longtime area high school baseball coach and pro scout, collapsed and died at 53 on Saturday after pitching batting practice for Florida Community College at Jacksonville. I wish I had the chance to mention Scott Leffler's name to him one more time, just to make Des crack one more smile.
PEORIA, Ariz. - A month of spring training has revealed a glimpse of what the Seattle Mariners may have this
Cheney Stadium’s transformation might have to wait.
The proposed construction budget offered Monday by the state House of Representatives includes $2.5 million for Cheney Stadium improvements. That’s a third of what the City of Tacoma asked for.
There is money in the two-year statewide budget for Pierce College, the University of Washington Tacoma, planning for more beds at McNeil Island Corrections Center and other projects in the South Sound. But Tacoma officials aren’t happy about Cheney Stadium.
MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs have said since the start of spring training that for the first time in years they're not relying on Mark Prior and Kerry Wood to be successful.
Now they get to prove it.
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PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -With less than two weeks left in spring training, Jarrod Washburn can't wait for the games to count.
The left-hander allowed one run in 4 2-3 innings during his latest tuneup, helping a Seattle Mariners split squad beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-5 on Monday.
Washburn yielded four hits before he was pulled with a runner on third base. He threw 85 pitches. Seattle manager Mike Hargrove wants his starters to be able to throw 100 by opening day.
PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Seattle Mariners split a split-squad doubleheader today in Arizona, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8 to 5 in Peoria and losing to the Chicago Cubs 16 to 4 in Mesa.
Seattle Mariners starters Jarrod Washburn pitches in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Master Fry Defense Systems in Newport is offering a variety of Martial Art defense and workout classes for a multitude of ages and prices. For more information, call 431-4545.LATE NIGHT BOWLING
Sports of All Sorts in Florence hosts Cosmic Bowling every Friday night at 10 p.m. For $5 you get blacklight bowling, pizza and drink.SAND VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE FORMING
The Lookout Heights Civic Club is hosting a co-ed sand volleyball league to play on Sundays, starting May 6. The cost is $162 for nine weeks of volleyball with shirts, gift certificates and an end of season party. Entry deadline is April 30. For more information, call 331-4278.
Seattle Mariners left fielder Mike Morse goes high on the wall to take an extra base hit away from Texas Ian Kinsler in the fifth inning of Saturdays spring training baseball game at Peoria, Ariz.
(AP photo)
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Kevin Millwood allowed just one unearned run in four innings of work as the Texas Rangers beat Seattle 4-1 on Saturday.
MESA, Ariz. - Wade Miller has all but won the job as the Chicago Cubs' fifth starting pitcher and got extra help Monday from his teammates at the plate.Michael Barrett hit two home runs and drove in four runs, Aramis Ramirez had a two-run homer and Alfonso Soriano added a solo shot _ his second home run of the spring _ as the Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 16-4 in a split-squad game.Second baseman Ryan Theriot, who has won a spot on the roster after playing in 53 games last year, went 4-for-5 wi...
TEMPE, Ariz. -- After his first start of spring training, the guy on the long and grinding road back from shoulder surgery sounded almost defiant in the face of what looked like long odds.
''I'm a starter, and I'm going to be a starter for a while as far as I'm concerned,'' Cubs right-hander Wade Miller said that day 2 weeks ago.
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PEORIA, Ariz. - It happens every year about this time.
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy makes the catch as Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki is caught stealing second base during the third inning of a spring training baseball game Sunday, March 18, 2007 in Phoenix.
PHOENIX - Raul Ibanez drove in four runs today as the Seattle Mariners beat Milwaukee, 9-to-5, in an exhibition game in Arizona.
Too much and a tire pops. Too little and it goes flat.
Clay Hill, while not a tire salesman, is well aware of the dynamics of pressure.
PEORIA, ARIZ. ? Like he does any time a runner tries to steal second base, Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima popped to his feet and threw quickly with a three-quarters delivery.
The ball sailed into the runner, forcing Jose Lopez to stretch out for it. The sliding runner couldn?t avoid the Mariners? second baseman and sent Lopez sprawling. The play ended with the runner called safe and Lopez in possible danger. Lopez was OK.
But the play illustrates why Seattle?s staff has been working with Johjima to throw with a more overhand motion.
"He was outstanding," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "That looked like season-ready right there."
Oswalt had planned to pitch just five innings, but returned for the sixth because he had thrown only about 50 pitches after five. He finished with 71 pitches, 48 for strikes.
"Pitch count is the biggest thing," he said. "I needed to get the pitch count up so I'll be ready to throw 100 pitches when the season starts."
KISSIMMEE - Chipper Jones learned how to win from the time he broke into the majors in 1993.
The streak of winning division titles began two years before he got to the Atlanta Braves.
In all, the Braves won 14 straight division crowns from 1991-2005, and he was a catalyst in the team's continued success.
PHOENIX (AP) -Ben Sheets never seems to get the feel for his curveball in Arizona's dry heat.
Sheets, likely to be Milwaukee's opening-day starter, was roughed up for five runs and seven hits in 3 1-3 innings Sunday during the Brewers' 9-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners.
Known for having one of the best curveballs in the game, Sheets allowed a two-run homer to Raul Ibanez in the third. One inning later, Ichiro Suzuki's two-run single gave the Mariners the lead for good.
Paunchy body. Mop-top flapping in the wind. Dirt covering his uniform from head to toe. Running to first base at a full sprint after ball four. Spraying line drives everywhere.
Nope, it really doesn't seem that long ago that Peter Edward Rose was the player we all wanted to be. Flash forward to today, however, -- barely more than two decades later -- and he's become as undesirable as a lawn full of dandelions.
And if Barry Bonds is smart, he's taken notice.
Morneau went 3-for-3 with his first homer of the spring in Minnesota's 7-3 victory over Pittsburgh. The AL MVP is hitting .312 (10-for-32) after batting .321 with 34 home runs and 130 RBIs last season. Lee connected for his first drive in Houston's 7-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"In the spring, I just worry about making solid contact and having good hitting mechanics," Morneau said in Bradenton, Fla. "You can't go up to the plate this early in the year thinking about hitting a ball out of the park."
Lee went 2-for-2, hitting a leadoff homer in the fourth inning. Lee, who signed a $100 million, six-year contract with Houston in the offseason, also singled in a run in the first in Vero Beach, Fla.
April 1: Freedom Trail Tours conducted by the Freedom Trail Foundation begin, weather permitting, and continue into the fall. Private and group tours available all year. Phone: (617) 357-8300; www.thefreedomtrail.org. Adults $12; students and seniors, $10; children under $12, $6. Some sites have additional admission fees; inquire about combination tickets.
April 1: Spring and summer hours begin at the Franklin Park Zoo, established in 1913 and one of America's oldest. Family activities and events throughout the year. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; to 6 p.m. weekends and major holidays. Zoo closes at 4 p.m. October 1-March 31. Phone: (617) 541-5466; www.franklinparkzoo.org. Adults, $9.50; seniors $8; children 2-12, $5.50; under 2, free.
April 10: Boston's never boring, often exasperating, but always beloved Red Sox have their home opener at Fenway Park vs. the Seattle Mariners. Boston sports fans are in a league of their own; a spring evening in funky little Fenway Park, in the shadow of the Green Monster, is unforgettable. Phone: 877-REDSOX9; www.bostonredsox.com.
PEORIA, Ariz. _ The recent worry over J.J. Putz may have caused more inflammation around the Seattle Mariners than what their closer actually has in his right elbow.
PEORIA, Ariz. - The phenomenal defense being played by the Seattle Mariners has shown a troubling flaw.
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz has just a mild strain of his right elbow, and the team should have him back soon.
A magnetic resonance image showed the strain in the flexor-pronator muscle group of his pitching arm.
Putz got a scare after feeling some stiffness in the elbow following a bullpen session earlier in the week, but the 30-year-old right-hander was set to throw again on Tuesday.
There's no comparison between last year's spring training and this year's for Rangers right-hander Kevin Millwood.
Millwood allowed one unearned run and two hits in four innings to help Texas beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 Saturday.
It was the first "A" game appearance of the spring for Millwood, after three "B" games in which he compiled a 2.84 ERA in eight innings against minor leaguers.
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Veteran right-hander Miguel Batista, who pitched four innings Friday for the Seattle Mariners in a 7-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals, got a strong assist from an infield that supplied nine groundball outs and two double plays.
An 11-game winner with Arizona last season, Batista, 36, said he had heard about the glowing defensive reputation and superior range of the Mariners' infield. He signed with Seattle as a free agent Dec. 14.
In three spring starts, Batista has a 2-0 record and a 3.00 ERA -- and a strong belief in the defense that will play behind him this season.
Florida Community College at Jacksonville assistant baseball coach Des Hamilton died Saturday after collapsing at the school's North campus baseball facility.
Hamilton, who was 53, had just finished pitching batting practice for the Stars during pre-game warmups for FCCJ's game with St. Johns River Community College. He was transported from the field to Shands Hospital and died at about 12:30 p.m.
FCCJ head coach Chris Blaquiere said the cause of death was thought to be a heart attack, "with a pretty high amount of certainty."
The two and a half week mens collegiate basketball tournament known as March Madness means big business for pizza delivery sales.
Today is Friday, March 16, the 75th day of 2007. There are 290 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
On March 16, 1945, during World War II, Iwo Jima was declared secured by the Allies.
PEORIA, Ariz. ? Just two weeks of spring training remain and Seattle Mariners manager Mike Hargrove is trying to look past a losing record ? 4-11 entering Thursday night's split-squad exhibition game against San Francisco ? to focus on positive aspects of camp.
Still, Hargrove did say "we'll tighten some things" before the season opener April 2 against Oakland at Safeco Field in Seattle.
"The games we have lost have resulted in basically one bad inning for us," Hargrove said. "We've been in just about every game, and pitching seems to fail us in that one critical inning."
PEORIA, Ariz. - New Seattle Mariners starter Miguel Batista has fallen in love with his new infield defense.
Batista pitched four innings and was the winning pitcher in a 7 to 3 Cactus League victory over the Kansas City Royals Friday in Peoria, Arizona.
Seattle Mariners' Willie Bloomquist, left, beats the tag of Kansas City Royals catcher John Buck while scoring in the third inning of their spring training baseball game in Peoria, Ariz., Friday, March 16, 2007.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Barry Bonds' latest home run off Byung-Hyun Kim wasn't nearly as memorable as his previous one.
Bonds connected off Kim in their first matchup since the San Francisco star passed Babe Ruth with his 715th homer last May, helping the Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 11-7 Friday. It was Bonds' fourth homer of the spring and second in two games.
With the Rockies hoping to showcase Kim for a potential trade, the Giants battered the right-hander for eight runs in 42/3 innings. That drove Kim's spring ERA up to 9.00 in 13 innings.
VIERA - The Washington Nationals made their third cut this spring, reducing their major-league roster by nine players on Friday.
Pitchers Emiliano Fruto, Beltran Perez and Chris Schroder were optioned to Columbus of the Triple-A International League. In addition, pitchers Colby Lewis, Winston Abreu and Arnie Munoz, catchers Brandon Harper and Danny Ardoin and outfielder Jose Macias were reassigned to minor-league camp.
The Nationals now have 42 players in big-league camp. Teams must trim their major-league rosters to 25 before the start of the regular season.
No. 1 singles: Luke Henke def. Micah Spaun, 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 singles: Adam Henke def. Andy Card, 6-2, 6-1. No. 3 singles: Alex Granger def. Howie Spurlock, 6-2, 6-2. No. 4 singles: Troy Patterson def. Judson White, 6-2, 6-1. No. 1 doubles: Mitch DeCamp/Grant Guelich def. Alex Folke/Devin Sernopsky, 6-2, 6-3. No. 2 doubles: Jack Rechtin/Nick Feldman def. Cy Whitener/Calvin Dix, 6-2, 7-6 (4). No. 3 doubles: Garrison Smith/Michael Bird def. Elliot Dix/Jesse Rodgers, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Chelan 3, Pateros 1
No. 1 singles: Tyson McGuffin (Ch) def. Eric Romo 6-0, 6-0. No. 2 singles: Scott Petersen (Ch) def. Scott Ehlenback 7-6(7-1), 6-2. No. 3 singles: Tommy Miller (P) def. Dillon Parker 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5. Doubles: Josh Jones-Matt Engstrom (Ch) def. Elton Hernandez-Colton Swezey 6-1, 6-4
Swedish hospital will build a training center for doctors who treat children, which is expected to open in 2008.
The pediatric and perinatal simulation center is being funded with a $1 million donation from Cheryl and Bill Gossman, $250,000 from the Moyer Foundation (founded by former Seattle Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen), and the Swedish Foundation, which plans to raise $400,000 at the "Celebrate Swedish" gala set for March 24 and also raise another $1 million endowment.
The training center will be built near Swedish's neonatal intensive care unit on Swedish's First Hill campus in Seattle.
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Veteran right-hander Jeff Weaver pitched four strong innings for the Seattle Mariners, but the San Francisco Giants prevailed 5-3 in an exhibition game on Thursday night.
Weaver, who signed a one-year contract for $8.325 million as a free agent with the Mariners in January after helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, left with the score tied at 2.
Afterward, Weaver said he feels hes on cruise control with his new team.
PEORIA, ARIZ. ? Seattle Mariners rookie pitcher Brandon Morrow?s two-inning performance during a dismal 9-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs in a split-squad game in Mesa, Ariz., showed why outcome of spring training games are secondary to the development of the players.
Instead of facing minor leaguers, Morrow faced major leaguers for the first time Thursday. He did not disappoint.
He gave up an infield single to Alfonso Soriano and a walk but nothing else, running his streak of scoreless innings to five. Morrow, Seattle?s No. 1 draft pick last year, also struck out three.
SURPRISE, Ariz. - With Barry Bonds moving up to third in the San Francisco Giants' lineup, Ray Durham has fit in well so far as the team's new cleanup hitter.
Durham homered twice, Bonds hit his third home run of spring training and a Giants split squad lost 7-6 to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
"I'm not a home run hitter," said Durham, who has started only 11 games in his career in the fourth spot. "I hit the ball in the gaps. That's me. Whether I hit three, four or five, I try to stay the same. I'm not trying to hit home runs, believe me. Those were line drives."
MESA, Ariz. -- Alfonso Soriano was all smiles Thursday about the prospect of being a regular in the Cubs' outfield.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said Soriano, who had a triple and two singles in a 9-3 win over a Seattle Mariners split squad, had all but proved he can be the everyday center fielder.
"That's good that the manager has confidence in the player," Soriano said before taking the field against the Mariners. "I feel very comfortable because I've worked to be a center fielder."
Veteran right-hander Jeff Weaver pitched four strong innings for the Seattle Mariners, but the San Francisco Giants prevailed 5-3 in an exhibition game on Thursday night.
Weaver, who signed a one-year contract for $8.325 million as a free agent with the Mariners in January after helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, left with the score tied at 2.
Afterward, Weaver said he feels he's on cruise control with his new team.
MESA, Ariz. - Alfonso Soriano was all smiles Thursday about the prospect of being a regular in the Chicago Cubs' outfield.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella has said Soriano, who had a triple and two singles in a 9-3 win over a Seattle Mariners split squad, has all but proved he can be the everyday center fielder.
"That's good that the manager has confidence in the player," Soriano said before taking the field against the Mariners. "I feel very comfortable because I've worked to be a center fielder."
TUCSON, Ariz. -- After finding out he'd made the Texas Rangers' 40-man roster, Sammy Sosa hit a home run that went so far it must have felt like the good old days.
The solo shot that almost sailed into the street beyond left field at Tucson Electric Park was just one of 26 hits in a game won by the Arizona Diamondbacks 15-12, but it was part of a big day for the 38-year-old slugger in his comeback after a year away from the game.
By making the 40-man roster, Sosa -- fifth on the career home run list -- is officially a big leaguer again.
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -Jeff Weaver pitched four strong innings for the Seattle Mariners in a 5-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants in a split-squad game on Thursday night.
Weaver, who signed a one-year contract for $8.325 million as a free agent with the Mariners in January after helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, left with the score tied at 2.
Weaver said he's getting comfortable with his new team.
The Seattle Mariners saw their Cactus League record fall to 4 and 12 when they were beaten by the San Francisco Giants 5 to 3 tonight in Peoria, Arizona.
In the first half of their split-squad doubleheader this afternoon, the Mariners lost to the Chicago Cubs 9 to 3 in Mesa, Arizona.
In tonight's game, veteran right-hander Jeff Weaver pitched four strong innings, leaving with the score tied at 2 after giving up a two-run homer in the opening inning.
PEORIA, Ariz. - The only thing Sean White can worry about the next 2 1/2 weeks is, well, Sean White.
Chicago Cubs' Aramis Ramirez, right, is congratulated by Jacque Jones after hitting a two-run home run off of Seattle Mariners' Cha Seung Baek that scored Jones in the third inning of a spring training baseball game in Mesa, Ariz., Thursday, March 15, 2007.
PEORIA, Ariz. - The Seattle Mariners saw their Cactus League record fall to 4 and 12 when they were beaten by the San Francisco Giants 5 to 3 tonight in Peoria, Arizona.