Riding the pine: Center-fielder Mike Cameron isn’t happy about being benched, but he’s trying to use it as motivation.
“When I get back in the lineup,” he said, “there should be no more coming out.”
Friday night’s game was the fourth straight that Cameron began on the bench. Abbott and Ruben Sierra have been productive in his place.
“I’m playing what I think is the best lineup,” Manuel said. “If Ruben stays hot, we have to give him a chance. It might be contrary to our (philosophy) of going young, but we don’t want to get buried.”
Cameron said his recently injured left quadriceps is fine. The only thing he needs now is another chance.
“I should be pouting about it, but I’m not,” he said. “I never expected this to happen, but I’ve just got to find a way to fix it.”
Cameron is hitting .200 and has struck out 24 times in 95 at-bats.
“That’s way too many,” Manuel said.
