Mike Carp thriving in second stint with Mariners
Aug 16, 2011, 5:47 PM | Updated: 5:53 pm
 Mike Carp hit two home runs in Monday’s win over Toronto. (AP) |
By Brady Henderson
A day after the first two-home run game of his career, Mike Carp joined Bob & Groz on Tuesday and discussed why his second stint with the Mariners this season has gone so much better than his first.
“It’s a lot about playing time,” said Carp, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games on Monday. “I played every day down in the minor leagues and I was having a pretty good season down there, then [I came up and] you play for two or three days then sit for three days — I’ve never done that before. So, it kind of threw me out of my element a little bit. It was just a learning experience, something I had to learn how to deal with.
“Now I’m back this time and getting more consistent playing time and it’s working out.”
During his first stint with the Mariners this season, Carp, 25, played in 15 games from June 7-July 3 and hit just .200 before being sent back down to Tacoma.
In 24 games since being recalled on July 18, Carp is hitting .371 with 26 RBIs and six home runs, including two on Monday in the Mariners’ 6-5 win over Toronto. His 17 RBIs in August are most in the majors.
Carp’s latest callup was his fifth in three seasons since the Mariners acquired him in the three-team trade that also brought Franklin Gutierrez and Jason Vargas to Seattle.
“I’ve gotten some opportunities, but just haven’t stuck,” he said. “Here’s my chance. I’m getting a chance to play, and hopefully I can stick around for a lot longer this time.”
