M's exit home on a low note after 8-3 loss to Florida

After the latest Mariners defeat, players sat waiting for winds of change to strike.

The Mariners had trudged out of their home dugout, 8-3 losers to the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night, not knowing whether the teammates beside them would be around the next time they play at Safeco Field. A chorus of boos from the crowd of 24,163 had serenaded the Mariners for most of the night, primarily when local whipping boy Richie Sexson had struck out, then grounded into a double play when his team still had a prayer.

The record will show that Sexson ended what could have been his final game in a Mariners uniform with a single in the eighth inning. But the hit didn't drive anyone home, nor did it lead to any runs.

"I think it's going to happen," Mariners designated hitter Jose Vidro said of coming changes. "I think sometimes, with these things, that whatever happens, hopefully they're going to make a decision soon instead of waiting."

Vidro knows his teammates are wondering who will be the next to go. In a week that saw general manager Bill Bavasi fired, a Mariners team that dropped five of six home games will have an off day Thursday to make moves before embarking on a nine-day trip to National League cities.

A realistic Vidro insists he's trying not to worry about his own fate. He knows that, despite hitting three singles Wednesday, his overall numbers don't justify playing him every day.

In Vidro's case, the team could keep him around as a switch-hitting, singles-notching pinch-hitter. Or, it could simply designate him for assignment, in the final year of his contract, to free up room for others in the second half.

Vidro said he has yet to be approached by manager John McLaren to hear how he'd be used on the trip to National League cities, where the DH won't be allowed. He figures McLaren, who has been auditioning others at first base -- where Vidro has played against NL teams before -- has been too busy dealing with the week's events to speak to him.

"I've got more important things to worry about," said Vidro, hitting just .219 with virtually no power. "I've got to start hitting better. That's more important to me. Worrying about that other stuff, what could happen to me, is not at the top of my list right now."

Sexson remained in a backroom, off-limits to the media, for more than a half-hour after the game ended. He finally emerged, spotted a media member waiting, then turned around and headed out a rear exit.

The game itself was dull and anti-climactic after a stirring week for the Mariners. Florida knocked starting pitcher R.A. Dickey from the game by the fourth inning, grabbing a 5-1 lead.

Mike Jacobs tagged Dickey for a two-run homer to right field in the third inning to give the Marlins the lead for good. Dan Uggla later hit a two-run blast to left field off reliever Ryan Rowland-Smith, who replaced Dickey with two out in the fourth inning.

"It's hard," Dickey said. "It's a good opportunity and very hard to disappoint."

Dickey has lasted just 5-1/3 combined innings in his two starts since joining the rotation.

"It's kind of been a motif for us," he said of the disappointing results, "and you want to be a part of the solution."

Dickey had a decent knuckleball going in this one, but couldn't find the proper release point to throw strikes. He'll get at least one more shot as a starter, and McLaren wants to see how his knuckleball performs in more humid weather.

"It seems like the humid air works better and the cooler air doesn't," McLaren said.

No type of air has helped the Mariners drive in runs. Seattle outhit the Marlins 13-11, while scoring just three runs.

"I'd like to have some power with some guys on base," McLaren said. "You'd love the three-run homer, believe me."

But this team's power guys are all bunching singles together. Sexson is being paid to hit three-run bombs and had two chances to do so with two men on in the fourth and sixth innings Wednesday. He barely hit the ball 60 feet.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com.