Notes: Foppert impressive in start

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13572941.post-1142263015227010232006-03-13T07:16:00.000-08:002006-03-13T07:16:55.230-08:00Notes: Foppert impressive in start03/04/2006 PEORIA, Ariz. -- Right-hander Jesse Foppert, most likely competing for a bullpen/sixth-starter spot, cruised in his first spring stint, a two-inning outing to start the Saturday afternoon game against the Padres. Foppert didn't give up a hit, struck out two batters and walked one. For a guy coming off a season in which he recovered from Tommy John surgery, it was an encouraging showing. "I feel great," Foppert said. "Compared to last spring, it's night and day." Foppert, 25, came over to the Mariners last July in the Randy Winn trade and put up decent numbers for Triple-A Tacoma after he was cleared to throw following 11 1/2 months of rehab. He had a 2.57 ERA and struck out 13 batters in 14 innings. This spring, he's been working on a new changeup to go along with his low-90s fastball, slider and split-fingered fastball, and he said he's been working with pitching coach Rafael Chaves on staying back longer and "standing a little taller" on the mound. On Saturday, he breezed through the heart of the Padres' order, striking out Dave Roberts and retiring Brian Giles, Ryan Klesko and Khalil Greene in order. "I was real pleased with how he threw the ball," Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said. "He was down in the strike zone and threw well." Also in the game: Despite the second straight lopsided result on the scoreboard, this one a 17-4 loss, there were some highlights for the Mariners on Saturday afternoon, mostly on the defensive end. Center fielder Jeremy Reed made a nice catch against the wall in the second inning to rob Greene of extra bases. Mike Morse looked solid at third, running up the line to make an over-the-shoulder grab of a Doug Mirabelli foul popup in the second and snagging a hot liner off the bat of former Mariner Justin Leone in the fifth. Catcher Kenji Johjima got his first hit of the spring and threw out Leone, who was trying to steal in the third. Hargrove also lauded the fact that the Mariners got 14 hits, although he said he felt the team could have scored two or three more runs. The Mariners left the bases loaded in the second inning, stranded runners on second and third in the third and left a man on third in the fifth inning. "B" sides: The Mariners played their second "B" game in as many days, squaring off against the Padres on Field No. 1 at 9:30 a.m. MT for five innings. The Padres won, 4-0, with the Mariners only getting one hit, a first-inning single by Adam Jones against San Diego starter Woody Williams. Otherwise, the most notable event of the game -- at least to Hargrove -- occurred with one out in the fifth inning, when right fielder T.J. Bohn caught a fly ball with the bases loaded and tossed the ball back in as if it was the third out. The Padres scored two runs after the gaffe and Hargrove dressed down the team in the dugout, saying there's no excuse for not knowing how many outs there are and that Bohn wasn't the only one who was accountable. Hargrove said it wouldn't be wise to read too much into the fact that shortstop prospect Matt Tuiasosopo played the B game at third base. "It doesn't mean there are plans for him to move to third base," Hargrove said. "There was no motive other than I needed a third baseman." Ichiro update: Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, currently leading off for the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic, went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run in Japan's 14-3 win over Chinese Taipei on Friday night. He's now 2-for-10 with three runs in two games, both healthy Japanese victories. Meanwhile, Ichiro is officially coming to town. Japan and Korea are 2-0 and have clinched spots in the second round, and both teams will train in Peoria beginning next week, with Ichiro and Japan playing the Mariners in an exhibition game Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. MT in Peoria Stadium. Mariners log: Reliever J.J. Putz (lower back spasms) is on target for a 40-pitch bullpen session Sunday. ... Catcher Rob Johnson (lower back spasms) worked out Saturday and could be in a game soon. ... Second baseman Fernando Vina is still being held out of workouts with a strained right hip flexor. ... Left-hander Cesar Jimenez has a mild strain of the left hamstring but played long toss Saturday. ... Outfielder Wladimir Balentien has a strained right hamstring but will continue to participate in workouts, although he's currently not available for games. ... Mariners Minor League camp will have physicals for pitchers and catchers Monday and will open workouts Tuesday. The first full-squad workout is next Saturday. ... Mariners announcer Ron Fairly collected his third career hole-in-one over the winter, acing the par-3, 185-yard third hole at Desert Horizons Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif. Oddly enough, it's the second straight winter that Fairly has aced the same hole, both times using a 5-iron. Coming up: The Mariners will flip around Sunday and be the "visitors" in Peoria Stadium in another game against the Padres, who will be the "home" team. The game, set for 12:05 p.m. PT, will feature the spring debut of new Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, who will be followed by righty Francisco Cruceta, Renee Cortez and Jeff Heaverlo. Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587134747234821796noreply@blogger.com