M’s notebook: McClendon still going matchups down the stretch

HOUSTON – Another day, another lineup, and it looks like that is what we will see the rest of the way. Rather than go with an established group, it appears that Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon will continue go with matchups. He has an expanded roster and he is going to use it.

I should point out that it is not a strict left/right situation. McClendon takes other factors into consideration when making out a lineup. On the postgame show last night I was asked if I thought we would see a big change with the lefty Dallas Keuchel on the hill. I thought we would most likely see righty Chris Denorfia in the lineup, but for the most part McClendon would stick with the lineup that put 10 runs on the board in game one. I was wrong.

Lineup!

Austin Jackson, 8
Chris Denorfia, 9
Robinson Cano, 4
Kendrys Morales, 3
Kyle Seager, 5
Logan Morrison, 7
Corey Hart, DH
Mike Zunino, 2
Chris Taylor, 2

Chris Young

Notes

• Corey Hart is the DH. McClendon said that with the short porch in left at Minute Maid Park he was hoping that Hart might be able to take advantage of that. That sacrifices defense in left with a fly-ball pitcher on the hill, as Logan Morrison will play there. McClendon again cited the short porch in allowing that. Much less left to play at Minute Maid.

• Dustin Ackley is not in the lineup after hitting two home runs the night before because McClendon wants to get him off his feet ahead of the four-game series on the turf in Toronto. For his part, Ackley says the ankle is fine once he receives treatment and gets it loosened up. He understands why he is getting the day off.

“We had a meeting a couple of weeks ago when he (McClendon) said, ‘If you are not in the lineup, don’t let that be a surprise to you,'” Ackley said.

The meeting was called shortly after the September call-ups joined the team. McClendon wanted people to understand that he planned to use pinch-hitters, runners and defensive replacements going forward.

“We have got a bunch of guys here and we’ve got match-ups where some guys face better than others or see the ball better,” Ackley said. “It’s just a situation where it might be late in the game and you might get pinch-hit for and it’s important not to get frustrated or whatever. We’re trying to win the game and he is going to do whatever he can and what he thinks is best to do that and I think everyone should have to understand that.”

While he is not in the lineup today, Ackley said he feels he has turned a corner with his ankle and will be ready if needed once the game starts.

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