Seattle The Mariners first homestand at reconfigured Safeco Field ended Thursday without the shorter dimensions making a major impression on the clubs offensive numbers, or on manager Eric Wedge.

Its zero impact for me, he said before Seattles 2-0 win over Detroit. The way were going to be a better offensive club is by our players, and them doing what they need to do. Maybe it comes into play a little bit in the summer. The air density or whatever you call it is still the same. A couple of balls (Wednesday) night were hit pretty good. You would think, Well, if they moved in the fences they would go. Well, guess what? They still didnt go.

The Mariners went 4-6 and scored 31 runs with seven home runs over the 10-game stretch against the Astros, Rangers and Tigers.

Those games were the first at Safeco since the offseason renovations that moved in the left and left-center field wall, which reduced the power alley from 390 feet to 378 feet.

The changes were made not only to shorten the parks dimensions, but also to get its reputation as a pitchers park out of the heads of Mariners hitters.

Its just one more thing to check off the list that we dont have to worry about, and its not in the back of your mind anymore, Wedge said. It should allow us just to focus more on performing and hitting, and I think it will. I think its a positive thing. Its a fair ballpark. It probably still edges on the pitchers side of things, just because of where we are; but thats OK too.

ARM FROM TACOMA

Effects of the Mariners 14-inning loss on Wednesday continued into Thursday, when the club called up right-handed pitcher Hector Noesi from the Tacoma Rainiers.

A key factor in the move was Noesis fresh arm a valuable commodity after the club went through six pitchers in Wednesdays 2-1 loss to Detroit.

We needed somebody who could give us length, Wedge said. It was Noesis day to pitch so we flip-flopped him and (Bobby LaFromboise, who was optioned to Tacoma).

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Fences’ impact negligible

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April 20, 2013 at 12:56 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Fences