Mariners' groundballs overcome Padres, 7-4
By Associated PressPEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Jon Garland got the groundballs he wanted - one went right off his left knee. Garland gave up a run and two hits in two innings of his first outing for the San Diego Padres, a 7-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. "In my eyes, I should have caught it," said Garland, who said the nasty bruise would not affect his next start. "But it was my first time on the mound and they're not hitting the balls out here that fast during PFPs (pitcher fielding practice)." With Mike Sweeney on first and one out, Matt Tuiasosopo's hard grounder bounced off Garland's knee and caromed into the vacant hole between short and third. Sweeney, who had four hits including a home run and three RBIs, eventually would score on a wild pitch. But Garland still was pleased with his 26-pitch, two-inning effort. "Five of six groundball outs. That's what I like to do, throws strikes, make the guys put a bat on it and let the defense work," he said. "I just wanted to throw fastballs. I mixed in a few cutters. Mechanically, I'm pretty happy right now this early." Garland, who pitched for the Dodgers and Diamondbacks last season, signed a one-year deal with the Padres during the offseason. He will compete for the opening day assignment with Chris Young and Kevin Correia. "It does not matter what number you put on me, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, doesn't matter," Garland said. "It's not going to change the way I prepare for a game. It's not going to change me during the game or after the game. I'll continue to be me and do what I'm capable of doing regardless of where you put me." It also was the first outing for Mariners starter Ian Snell, who allowed one run and three hits in his 29-pitch, two-inning outing. Snell is penciled in as the third or fourth starter but that's not what he wants to hear. "I expect have a role on this team. I'm confident to have a role on this team. I'm just tried of hearing about it," Snell said. "People ask, 'Are you going to be No. 3 or is it going to be Ryan Rowland-Smith? Who cares? Every fifth day you're still going to get the ball. Just go out do your job. I just want enjoy the guys, get my work in and have fun." He is having fun, perhaps for the first time. Snell, traded from Pittsburgh on July 29 last season, said this camp is a departure from his experience at the Pirates' camp in Bradenton, Fla. "My adrenaline was rushing," he said. "It's a whole new atmosphere for me. I'm not used to having the crowd quiet, instead of yelling at you, 'You better be good.' It was actually pretty good to hear the fans saying good job, even though I gave up two runs. "You need earmuffs running past them in spring training (in Pirates camp). It's something different," he said. "It's a real good atmosphere here." NOTES: Mariners second baseman Jack Wilson, who felt tightness in his right hamstring Friday and was removed, said Saturday, "I feel great. I knew what it was. It wasn't anything big at all." Wilson has had hamstring problems the past couple seasons so the club is cautious. He practiced Saturday but did not run sprints. ... Padres INF-OF Jerry Hairston Jr. was hit in the hand by a pitch. He was going to have X-rays but the club does not believe it was serious. Most Popular |
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