Sub Heroes

A week before the playoffs key players sat in the Mariner dugout nursing injuries and their starting shortstop was in the hospital with TB. It looked like a dismal picture for the team with the best record in baseball.

Enter the Mariner reserves: Vazquez, Sprague, Javier, Kingsale, Buhner, Borders, Gipson and Lampkin. They represent a mix of recent triple-A call-ups and veterans who the M’s can count on to carry on in these situations.

Several of them bring to the team the ability to play a variety of positions. Lately McLemore has not been the only utility player. Sprague has filled in well at first, third and outfield. Gipson recently subbed at third and shortstop, and can play in any field. Javier has been a starter in left field, with Al Martin out, but can also play right field and first base. Eugene Kingsale has played in every field position and Ramon Vazquez, primarily a shortstop, covered for Bell at third and Boone at second recently.

Speaking of shortstops, Lou wisely called up Vazquez from the Rainiers before he actually needed him. The 25 year old didn’t knock anyone’s socks off at first, getting one hit, then going hitless for the next 14 at bats. But when they actually did need him—when Guillen was hospitalized, and McLemore was out with a strained hamstring—he was ready to go. He handled shortstop well and got several base hits.

He wasn’t the only one. All the reserves showed they could hit the ball. If you look at the averages through Friday, October 5, no one on the team was below .200. Gipson got 2 for 2 and rolled up to .219 and Sprague and Javier were both up to .300. Pat Borders, a veteran catcher hasn’t had many opportunities but is 3 for 6 so far. Lampkin benefited from more at bats in the last two weeks and is on a roll. Then there is Buhner. After getting that big home run we’ve been waiting for, he could be warming up just in time for Cleveland.

Now that all the starters, except Martin and Guillen, are back on the field and looking good, the M’s will be ready for them. And they are even stronger with the knowledge that their reserves can come through in the clutch. The whole troop is ready for battle.

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