Putz's Outing Is Short but Sweet
Mariners 8, Orioles 4

Associated Press
Monday, August 4, 2008

SEATTLE, Aug. 3 -- If the Seattle Mariners are serious about giving Brandon Morrow a chance to prove himself as a starter, then Sunday afternoon could be the key to Morrow's future development.

And all he did was face three batters. It was 1 1/3 scoreless innings from J.J. Putz in the Mariners' 8-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles that was the important element.

Seattle Manager Jim Riggleman said the team would like to give Morrow a chance to prove himself as a starter by the end of the season. For that to happen, Putz must regain his form as a lockdown closer after missing more than a month with a hyperextended right elbow and blowing two saves in seven tries since coming off the disabled list.

Sunday was a good start for the Mariners' plans.

"I understand where all those guys are at in terms of what this team is looking for the last two months. You hear talks that they want Brandon to start," Putz said. "Today was big in getting back to making that decision easier."

Putz picked up the win by allowing just one hit, getting the final out of the seventh and working the eighth as Seattle snapped a seven-game home losing streak. Morrow then pitched a perfect ninth in a non-save situation.

"J.J.'s looking better and better every outing," Morrow said.

The Mariners' offense scored three times in the bottom of the seventh, capped by Raúl Ibáñez's two-run single off reliever Jamie Walker. Ibáñez finished with three RBI as the Mariners avoided being swept at home by the Orioles for the first time since 1997.

Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera allowed six earned runs and struck out six.

Orioles Note: Manager Dave Trembley said after Sunday's game in Seattle that center fielder Adam Jones had X-rays on his left foot and the results were inconclusive. Jones fouled a ball off his foot during Saturday night's game against Seattle and woke up Sunday unable to walk on it.

Jones will have a CT scan on his foot Monday in Anaheim before the Orioles open a three-game series against the Angels.