M's Notebook | Brandon Morrow debate: Norm Charlton relates

Mariners bullpen coach Norm Charlton knows all about what it takes to make the in-season transition from a short-inning bullpen role to that of a starting pitcher.

Charlton was an eighth-inning setup man for the Cincinnati Reds in 1990 when manager Lou Piniella asked in early July if he'd join the starting rotation. Within 10 days, Charlton was tossing six innings of shutout ball in a win over the New York Mets.

But he says there are differences between what he went through and the debate over whether the team should move now to make interim closer Brandon Morrow into the starting pitcher the Mariners envision him becoming. For one thing, Charlton said, the Reds of 18 years ago were going through a rash of injuries and desperately needed another starter.

Then there is the mental transformation that takes place.

"Figuring out what to do with four days off was tough," Charlton said. "You go from feeling you're part of a team, contributing to each night's result, to figuring out what you're supposed to do when you're not playing golf four out of every five days."

Charlton was speaking tongue-in-cheek, but he was serious about how difficult a transformation it was not playing until every fifth day.

"I didn't like it," he said. "I liked being a reliever better."

Charlton eventually did go back to the bullpen for the playoffs, as the Reds swept Oakland to win the World Series. But not before he'd compiled a 6-5 record and 2.60 earned-run average in 16 starts.

The debate about what Seattle should do with Morrow picked up again over the weekend as the Mariners announced that Ryan Rowland-Smith had been optioned to Class AAA to begin transitioning from relief to a starting role. Many fans believe Morrow — drafted as a starter with the team's No. 1 pick in 2006 — should be making a similar switch now so he'll be ready to join the rotation by next spring.

But Charlton pointed out that Rowland-Smith is a lot closer to being able to go five or six innings.

As for himself, Charlton had started 10 games in the majors in 1988 before being switched to a bullpen role. Morrow has never started in the majors or minors, only in college.

"He's also an anchor for the back end of our bullpen right now," he said.

Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre agreed that, with closer J.J. Putz still working his way back from an injury, the team is reluctant to move Morrow out of his role now. Stottlemyre figured Morrow would need a solid month of starting in Class AAA before joining the Mariners' rotation.

Betancourt struggles

The Mariners continue to take a patient approach with Yuniesky Betancourt, even as he continues to struggle. Betancourt popped out in the ninth inning to end Sunday's loss to Cleveland, hacking away at all four pitches in the at-bat.

Betancourt has only struck out 20 times all season, but his on-base percentage is just 274. His slugging percentage is a mere .365.

It comes at a time when Betancourt's defense, especially his range, appears to be regressing.

But manager Jim Riggleman, who keeps putting Betancourt in the lineup night after night, said Betancourt is largely a victim of his ability to make contact so often.

"It's such a double-edged sword for him because he doesn't swing and miss," Riggleman said. "A lot of people would swing at some of those pitches and miss, and the at-bat wouldn't continue.

"He's so talented, that he doesn't swing and miss much. So, the day's going to come where it's going to click in to be a little more selective and it's going to be a statement in the league when he does."

Betancourt notched a double in his first at-bat of Monday's game.

Bedard plays catch

Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard played catch Sunday in an indoor batting cage at Safeco Field. But Bedard is apparently still not ready to play catch outdoors, as the team had hoped he would by Monday.

The Mariners still hope he can pitch in a series at Texas late next week, but he'll have to throw at least a couple of bullpen sessions first.

Notes

• Recently promoted first baseman Bryan LaHair was given his second start on Monday night. LaHair entered the game 0 for 4 with a strikeout, then struck out again in his first at-bat Monday.

But before the game, LaHair said he felt comfortable in his first week of facing major-league pitching. "I feel like nothing's changed," he said. "It looks the same as the pitching I saw in AAA, so I've felt pretty comfortable up there."

• Mariners pitcher Carlos Silva felt better the day after back spasms forced him to leave his start against Cleveland in the fourth inning. The team hopes Silva can make his next start.

• Red Sox slugger David Ortiz singled twice, walked and flied out Monday night in his first of three rehab appearances for the Class AA Portland Sea Dogs. Ortiz went 2 for 3 in his fourth minor-league game since he was sidelined May 30 because of a wrist injury. He is expected to return to the Red Sox on Friday.

• Washington State football coach Paul Wulff threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Monday's game. Wulff is the first WSU head coach to throw out a first pitch since men's basketball coach Tony Bennett did so on June 8, 2006.

The Associated Press contributed to this notebook.

For the record

Streak: L3

Home: 20-30

Road: 18-31

vs. AL West: 11-17

vs. L.A.: 3-6

vs. Oakland: 4-5

vs. Texas: 4-6

vs. AL East: 11-19

vs. AL Cent.: 7-16

vs. NL: 9-9

vs. LHP: 10-19

vs. RHP: 28-42

Day: 11-21

Night: 27-40

One-run: 11-19

Extra inn.: 2-4

Home attendance

Monday's crowd: 37,861

Season total: 1,445,812

Biggest crowd: 46,334 (March 31)

Smallest crowd: 15,818 (May 6)

Average (50 dates): 28,916

2007 average (50 dates): 31,411