Mariners
Notebook: Martinez might be Melvin's man for cleanup position

By Bob Finnigan
Seattle Times staff reporter

	ELAINE THOMPSON / AP Edgar Martinez homered yesterday against San Francisco.
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PEORIA, Ariz. — Seeing Edgar Martinez back and productive in the No. 4 hole in the Mariners' lineup for the 10-4 win over San Francisco yesterday could have been merely because Raul Ibanez had the day off.

But there is another reason.

"I'm thinking of using Edgar in cleanup (No. 4)," said Mariners manager Bob Melvin, who has taken a long look at hitting Ibanez there in Cactus League games. "Nothing's set in stone yet, but we'll almost certainly go that way against left-handers, at least."

Against a right-hander yesterday, the Giants' Ryan Jensen, Martinez celebrated his first start at cleanup in a dozen days with a long home run for three runs in the first inning. He had five runs batted in for 16 to near the lead among American League run-producers this spring.

Melvin's thought process on where to hit Martinez and Ibanez is evolving. He has listed Ibanez fourth 14 times, and third once. Martinez has hit fourth four times, third two times and fifth seven times.

Melvin likes the idea of having Martinez hit fifth to have four players who can run well in front of him.

"Hmmm ... four guys in front of you is better than three," kidded Martinez. "Really, it doesn't make any difference to me. I had thought that having Raul hit in front of me would be good, but I am accustomed to hitting fourth, so both places are fine with me. They're both in the middle of the order."

Melvin might keep Ibanez in the four hole versus right-handers, but his mental debate runs thus:

"I'd really like to get to Edgar sooner, move him to cleanup, even with a right-hander starting. But if we do that and have Ibby (Ibanez) fifth and are hitting John Olerud seventh, then other teams can bring in a lefty reliever for Ibanez and cover both of them, with (Scott) Spiezio between them, a better hitter against right-handers."
 
Experience prevails

It was a great day for veteran leadership. Not only did Martinez pace the offense, but Jamie Moyer spun seven innings in which he allowed the split-squad Giants only three hits and no earned runs. Michael Tucker hit a two-run homer in the first after a Willie Bloomquist error.

Moyer had a great changeup.

"He's one of the few guys you'll see change speed off his changeup," Melvin said. "Seventy-two miles per hour, 74, 69. When he looks at a radar gun in Safeco Field, it's not like most guys checking their fastball. He's looking at the speed of his change."

Moyer threw about 90 pitches in his efficient game.

"One more start for him and he'll be ready for Opening Day," Melvin said.

Of Martinez, the manager said he was ready to start the season.

"That Martinez guy looks like he still has it," Melvin said. "For me, Edgar looks ready for the season the first day of batting practice."

Bloomquist's error was the only one for Seattle on a good defensive day. Hiram Bocachica got his first play in the infield, and made a fine diving play in the ninth inning.

The error was only the 13th for the Mariners in 19 games.

More downsizing

Seattle cut four players to reduce the camp roster to 36: first baseman Bucky Jacobsen, catcher Luis Oliveros, infielder Luis Ugueto and outfielder Jamal Strong.

Strong has had a fine spring, hitting .444 "with an on-base percentage of .600," Melvin noted, "and I'm the idiot who sent him down."

While Strong made the most favorable impression with coaches, Jacobsen was a fan favorite. Fans chanted "Buck-ee! Buck-ee!" when he went into games or came to bat.

"I think it's my size and being bald and the way I sign autographs," said Jacobsen, who sports the Jay Buhner hairless look. "If those people take the time to seek my autograph, the least I can do is take the time to sign for them. I'll sign anything they want."

Ironically, the Bucky Jacobsen Fan Club, based in Illinois, announced on its Web site that it will travel to Arizona to see their guy play this weekend.

"Oh, no," Melvin said when he heard that. "He's a non-roster guy. Maybe we can have him back from the minor-league side for those games."

If nothing else, maybe the Tacoma club will hold Bucky Buzzcut Night this season.

Feeling remorseful?

Now that San Francisco is said to be looking for help at shortstop since manager Felipe Alou doesn't think much of Neifi Perez or his .227 spring hitting, the Giants had to take notice of Rich Aurilia's play yesterday.

He had his best game of the spring. Not only did the shortstop they dumped have two solid hits, but he made a superb backhand play and long throw to nip Cody Ransom in the third inning.

Heartwarming relay

There was a sweet spring scene down on the minor-league side yesterday when Mary LaFortune of Yakima spotted a little boy waiting for an autograph in a crowd around Ryan Anderson.

"Would you like a ball for his autograph?" LaFortune asked. The boy was thrilled to accept a brand-new ball, and after a while got Little Unit's signature and walked away very happy.

Asked why she did that, Mary said, "He only had a scrap of paper and I could see it was a receipt from a supermarket. I thought maybe he'd like a little more for his autographs. It's what baseball is all about."

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