Snell approaches start like he?s a reliever
Ian Snell?s three relief appearances this month haven?t been much better than the four starts he made in April when inconsistency and ineffectiveness cost him his job as a starter.
Still, Snell returns to the rotation tonight and the Mariners hope he takes the same mental approach he had as a reliever ? with different results, of course.
?What we?re looking for is that he pitches with the same temperament that he has out of the bullpen. That?s being aggressive,? manager Don Wakamatsu said. ?I think some guys come out of the bullpen and try to conserve themselves (when they start a game). What I?d like is that he comes out in the same exact role and see how far we can pitch him and not put a limitation on the back end.?
Snell went 0-2 with a 4.66 ERA in four starts in April before losing his job in the rotation when Cliff Lee came off the disabled list. In three relief appearances, Snell gave up 12 hits and five runs in nine innings.
Wakamatsu expects Snell will be able to throw about 90 pitches tonight, although it?s not the length of the outing that will be as important as the intensity.
?The downfall sometimes when guys come out of the bullpen is that they go into more of a conservative mode and don?t concentrate on what?s going on right now,? Wakamatsu said. ?Whether it?s three innings or four innings or five or whatever, just do what he?s been doing out of the bullpen and I think it?ll help him.?
Unable to throw his regular bullpens while in a relief role this month, Snell said it felt weird when he got back into his starting routine this week.
?But I think I?ll stay in the same routine I was with in the bullpen, a lot less throwing and playing catch, but continuing my arm strength exercises and being stretched out.?
His goal tonight is simple.
?I just want to go out and do my job and keep the team in the game and win the game,? Snell said. ?That?s all I can do.?
Slow recovery for Lowe
Mark Lowe?s back doesn?t hurt so badly that he struggles to walk like it once did, but there?s still enough discomfort to make him realize he won?t be pitching for a while.
?It?s driving me nuts,? said Lowe, on the disabled list since May 3 because of inflammation in his lower back. ?But I can?t let it get to me. I?m seeing a physical therapist in downtown Seattle three times as week and it?s coming along. But I?m not ready to pitch by any means.?
Lowe was one of the most important parts of the bullpen, with a 3.48 ERA in 11 appearances, before he suffered the injury. He believes it happened while he was lifting weights early this month.
?I didn?t feel anything at the time but when I got home that night and picked something up, my back locked up on me,? he said.
