Lineups: Mariners take a different approach against lefty pitcher
Apr 14, 2017, 4:03 PM | Updated: 4:10 pm
Guillermo Heredia will take over the leadoff spot with a lefty on the mound, while Leonys Martin will sit. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners will try out Guillermo Heredia in the leadoff spot and keep Leonys Martin on the bench for Friday’s series opener at Safeco Field against the Texas Rangers, who are starting southpaw Martin Perez on the mound.
With Heredia, who hits right-handed, playing left field and hitting out of the No. 1 spot, lefty-swinging Jarrod Dyson shifts to center field and will hit ninth.
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The Mariners also have Danny Valencia back in the starting lineup, hitting seventh and playing first base, after he got a rest in Wednesday’s series finale vs. Houston. Valencia has struggled out of the gate this season, hitting 5 for 35, but he has a history of mashing lefties with a career average of .320 and OPS of .871 against them.
Pitching for Seattle will be Felix Hernandez, who’s making his season debut in front of the King’s Court at Safeco.
First pitch for the Mariners and Rangers is set for 7:10 on 710 ESPN Seattle. Pregame begins at 6.
Mariners (2-8)
Guillermo Heredia, LF
Mitch Haniger, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Taylor Motter, SS
Danny Valencia, 1B
Mike Zunino, C
Jarrod Dyson, CF
Felix Hernandez, RHP
Rangers (4-5)
Carlos Gomez, CF
Shin-Soo Choo, DH
Nomar Mazara, RF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Rougned Odor, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Jonathan Lucroy, C
Joey Gallo, 3B
Jurickson Profar, LF
Martin Perez, LHP
