Mariners

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I’m probably reading too much into this, but Dustin Ackley and Franklin Gutierrez are in the lineup together for the first time this spring, and Gutierrez is the one hitting leadoff (as he has done in every start). Ackley is batting second. Manager Eric Wedge has said he’s going to experiment with lineup combinations, and didn’t rule out the possibility that Gutierrez will hit first. But at this point, with more than 20 games still to be played here, I don’t think any decisions have been made.

Ackley says he’s not sweating it out.

“I don’t know if this lineup is the one he’s planning on having. It could be he wants Guti to get as many at-bats as he can. I don’t know. I haven’t been told anything. I’m going to just go up there like it’s just another at-bat.

“I don’t mind first, second, seven, eight or nine, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as I’m in the lineup, hitting the way I’m capable of hitting, it doesn’t really matter to me. I think our lineup now is a lot better than it used to be. I think guys can hit anywhere. I think Guti can hit anywhere in the lineup, as well as a couple of other guys.”

Here’s the lineup:

Franklin Gutierrez CF

Dustin Ackley 2B

Michael Morse RF

Jason Bay LF

Raul Ibanez DH

Jesus Montero C

Vinnie Catricala 3B

Brendan Ryan SS

Blake Beavan RHP

Extra Pitchers:

31        Kameron Loe……………………….. RHP

39        Danny Farquhar……………………. RHP

41        Charlie Furbush…………………….. LHP

50        Erasmo Ramirez……………………. RHP

52        Jhonny Nunez………………………. RHP

53        Josh Kinney…………………………. RHP

71        Logan Bawcom…………………….. RHP

73        Carson Smith……………………….. RHP

Infielders:

1         Carlos Triunfel……………………….. INF

35        Mike Jacobs (L)………………………. 1B

61        Nick Franklin (S)…………………….. INF

75        Stefen Romero………………………. INF

77        Brad Miller (L)………………………… INF

Outfielders:

4         Carlos Peguero (L)………………….. OF

10        Eric Thames (L)………………………. OF

66        Francisco Martinez………………….. OF

76        Julio Morban (L)……………………… OF

Catchers:

2         Jesus Sucre…………………………….. C

5         Mike Zunino…………………………….. C

9         John Hicks………………………………. C

27        Ronny Paulino………………………….. C