The Sports Xchange
Retooled Mariners lineup contributes to weekend success
The new-look Seattle Mariners lineup with Dustin Ackley leading off and Brendan Ryan batting
second is off to a good start.
The Mariners won two of three from the Twins over the weekend with this lineup, which
came in the wake of left fielder/third baseman Chone Figgins being moved into a utility
role.
Figgins was hitting .189 as the club’s primary leadoff hitter, one reason the club was
struggling to score runs. He was hitless in his previous 19 at-bats before manager Eric
Wedge took him aside Friday night to inform him of his demotion.
In three weekend starts against the Twins, Ackley reached base six times in 12 plate
trips, collecting three hits and three walks while scoring four runs.
Ryan, who was hitting .149 in the No. 9 slot at the time the move was made, has one hit
and one run scored in two starts while dropping down one successful bunt and collecting
two sacrifice flies.
“Some guys are going in the right direction,” Wedge said. “We’re still taking baby
steps.”
As a whole, however the Mariners still have just seven total hits in each of their
weekend wins over the Twins and only 22 hits in the three-game series.
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