M's Notebook | Hargrove's appearance comes with few regrets

CLEVELAND — There were only two times this week when former manager Mike Hargrove was asked for the "real" reason he left the Mariners.

That's what Hargrove was saying at Jacobs Field on Thursday night as he took in his first game since abruptly resigning July 1. He says he's gotten used to the queries about why he left a team in an eight-game winning streak and knows many won't accept his explanation that he'd simply grown tired of managing.

"It's been fewer and fewer, but I got asked twice this week so far," said Hargrove, who lives about 20 miles from Cleveland. "I thought that baseball was America's pastime. It's not. It's conspiracy theories. John Kerry's probably the one that started it and Hillary's bringing it on through."

The former manager admitted he was apprehensive before walking into the visitors' clubhouse. He'd spoken to some players and coaches over the phone, but hadn't seen anyone since leaving.

"It's felt like an offseason," he said. "I haven't missed the games. I haven't missed all the things that caused me to make the decision. I miss being around the players. I've missed the conversations we used to have every day. I've missed being around the coaches. I've actually missed being around you [media members].

"I've missed that. I've missed the game itself. I've missed the excitement of winning, but I have not missed the absolute dregs of winning."

Hargrove was warmly received in manager John McLaren's office by his replacement, as well as general manager Bill Bavasi and assistant GM Lee Pelakoudis. Jose Guillen later gave Hargrove a warm hug, while several other players exchanged greetings.

Hargrove is to go goose hunting in Canada in October. If the Mariners make it to the World Series, however, he said he'd postpone the trip and find a way to go to the games.

Lopez to the bench

Second baseman Jose Lopez sat out the game Thursday and likely will miss the next several as well.

Lopez committed one too many mental gaffes on the field in the past series against the Angels and has been told by the team that he has to work harder in his pregame routine.

McLaren started Jose Vidro at second base, but will go more often with Willie Bloomquist in the days ahead.

"I don't know how long we're going to sit him," McLaren said. "But we're going to sit him down for a while, let him gather his thoughts."

NOTES

• First baseman Richie Sexson could miss the entire series in Toronto after coming out in the fifth inning with a tight left hamstring. Sexson has apparently been bothered by the problem for a while, and the team says it's a reason his hitting has swooned again after a strong start to the month. McLaren said Sexson had been trying "to be a warrior" by playing through the pain, but that the team needs the leg to properly heal. With the next three games scheduled on the artificial turf of Toronto's Rogers Centre, it's likely Ben Broussard will play two or more games there at first base.

• Ichiro got a loud round of boos each time he stepped to the plate during a 1-for-4 night. An unflattering comment by Ichiro about the city of Cleveland made the rounds nationally a couple of months ago, and the locals here made sure he knew they were not impressed.

• George Sherrill continues to look a little more human in the second half, giving up a walk, two hits and pair of seventh-inning runs that turned a 4-3 lead into a 5-4 deficit. The southpaw reliever, who got his third blown save Thursday, had held opponents to a dazzling .141 batting average before the All-Star break, but it's now nearly double that figure in the second half of the season.

For the record

Streak: L6

Home: 41-27

Road: 32-32

vs. AL West: 22-22

vs. L.A.: 4-11

vs. Oakland: 10-3

vs. Texas: 8-8

vs. AL East: 22-12

vs. AL Cent.: 20-16

vs. NL: 9-9

vs. LHP: 24-9

vs. RHP: 49-50

Day: 19-18

Night: 54-41

One-run: 21-18

Extra innings: 4-1