Sports

POSTED: Friday, Sep. 19, 2008

MARINERS NOTEBOOK: Morrow to start in front of family

OAKLAND – The last time Brandon Morrow blew through this city, he was a relief pitcher, which meant his family and friends never knew when he might pitch for the Seattle Mariners.

That’s changed, and the hard-throwing right-hander who went to the University of California and grew up in Northern California can tell anyone who wonders when he’ll pitch – he’ll start against the Athletics on Sunday.

Asked by local media how he’s adjusted to starting in the major leagues, Morrow laughed. “I’ve only had three starts,” he said. “And clearly, I’m still looking for some consistency. I’m still adjusting a little to pitching out of the windup.”

That adjustment has been, well ... let Morrow explain it.

“Against the Yankees, I found my rhythm from the full windup and was throwing really well,” he said. “But throwing from a windup means more things can go wrong mechanically than throwing from the stretch.

“Against Kansas City, I felt like I tried 10 different things and still couldn’t find a rhythm. I was a mess. I could feel what I was doing wrong, but I couldn’t find a way to stop it.”

That hasn’t stopped friends and family from making firm plans for Sunday.

“My parents have never seen me pitch more than an inning in the majors,” Morrow said. “My grandparents are coming, a lot of people.”

How many tickets will he have to leave?

“A lot,” Morrow said. "One of the biggest transitions from relief to starting has been what to do during the four days between starts – how best to make sure his arm stays strong. My pitching performances have been all across the board, so it’s obvious I’m still figuring it all out.”

Will family and friends give him more motivation Sunday?

“I can’t get more motivated,” he said. “It’ll be a little emotional warming up out there, but once the game starts, it’s got to be business.”

'Quality' has its drawbacks

Ryan Rowland-Smith has made six consecutive "quality" starts – at least six innings, with three or fewer runs allowed – the longest streak by a Mariners starting pitcher since Jamie Moyer had six in a row in 2003.

He’s won twice.

“Ryan is the one kid whose numbers really should be much better,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “Every time he’s come out, it seems like he’s had a one-run lead and not only haven’t we added on, we’ve lost that lead a lot.

“That’s been my call. Ryan would like to keep pitching no matter what the situation is. I’ve got to do what I think is best for him and best for the team. It just hasn’t worked out to wins in his case. He could easily have three or more wins than he’s gotten.”

Short hops

The Mariners' first two stops on their three-city trip have been historic – the team had never before lost back-to-back four-game series. ... Raul Ibańez has 45 doubles, the fifth highest total in franchise history but well behind the franchise record of 54, set in 1996 by Alex Rodriguez. Edgar Martinez had 52 doubles in consecutive years, 1995-96. ... Rob Johnson started as the designated hitter Friday, becoming the 16th Mariners player used in that role this season. The team record: 18. ... Eight games into this 11-game trip, only two players – Jose Lopez (.448) and Ichiro Suzuki (.333) – are hitting above .300. Before Friday's game, seven players were batting under .200 and two players, Matt Tuiasosopo (0-for-13) and Bryan LaHair (0-for-10), were hitless.