Mariners notebook: Mike Montgomery available as bullpen short again

BOSTON – Just some quick Sunday morning notes. The team was originally planning to take batting practice today but with the two long games to start the series and high temperatures – go ahead and add humidity to the mix today – those plans were scrapped. Guys got their work in the cages and most of the pitchers did the pregame work they normally do.

One pitcher who did not follow his usual routine was Mike Montgomery. The bullpen is once again short after having to eat excessive innings the past two days so Montgomery will be in the pen if needed. Today is his throw day so this shouldn’t disrupt his schedule too much. If he’s not needed early in the game we most likely will see him throwing his usual bullpen – in the bullpen – in later innings.

As for the rest of the team, despite the back to back shellackings it is business as usual. No talk of what has happened the past two days when there is a game at hand. No pick-me-up speeches from the skipper either.

“Contrary to popular belief, those games are easy to turn the page on,” McClendon said. “When you lose a game in the ninth inning, when you’re up with a runner on, two outs, those are the ones that hit home and are really tough. You get your (rear end) kicked, you move on. That’s what my guys are doing. Even that game yesterday, we were fighting. Could have easily said the ninth inning is over, (but) we ended up scoring 10 runs. Guys were battling. I don’t think we need to check the weather on that one.”

The manager may not have felt the need to check on his team but his mentor checked in with him.

“I got a call from (Jim) Leyland yesterday,” he said. “‘Twenty-two runs? That’s nothing,’ he said. ‘Oh I lost a game 27-6, top that one.’ I said I hope I never top that.”

Note

• The bullpen that Charlie Furbush threw yesterday in the words of Lloyd McClendon did not go well. He threw the full pen but still has soreness in the biceps. He has been sent back to Seattle where he will be seen by the doctors once again.

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