Brent Stecker
Author Stories
![Kyle Seager is just 5 for 38 this season and getting a day off in New York. (AP)](http://sports.mynorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ap_b9e9518e9df0492b9ada284505ae1b61-e1460824036789-200x125.jpg)
Kyle Seager, who is hitless in his last 13 at-bats, is getting a rare day off in the second game of the Mariners’ series at Yankee Stadium, set for a 10:05 a.m. first pitch on 710 ESPN Seattle.
![Dae-Ho Lee](http://sports.mynorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/lee-620-200x125.jpg)
The Mariners’ first six home games of the season did not go as smoothly as hoped, but the 1-5 record they posted during the homestand wasn’t enough to shake the faith of general manager Jerry Dipoto.
![Seth Smith is hitting second as Kyle Seager remains in the fifth spot against a righty in New York. (AP)](http://sports.mynorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ap_eba35d4f23de4af1b3539cba94e37ed6-1-e1460747945256-200x125.jpg)
The Mariners are trying out Seth Smith in the second spot in the batting order, plus they’ll face old teammate Dustin Ackley in the series opener at Yankee Stadium at 4:05 Friday on 710 ESPN Seattle.
![Norichika Aoki and the Mariners are 0 for 4 this season on attempted stolen bases. (AP)](http://sports.mynorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/aoki-620-2-200x125.jpg)
ROOT Sports’ Mike Blowers told “Bob, Groz and Tom” that getting things going on the base paths could be a boon for the Mariners offense that has struggled since returning home last week.
![Robinson Cano and the Mariners entered Tuesday 3 for 23 with runners in scoring position at home. (AP)](http://sports.mynorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/mariners-2-200x125.jpg)
ESPN senior baseball writer Jayson Stark told 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Salk” that it seems unrealistic the Mariners’ lineup will continue to struggle at the level it has been.
The Mariners are keeping things consistent with their lineup in the first game of the series with the Rangers, with Nelson Cruz hitting fourth as the DH.
![Norichika Aoki and the Mariners finished the first week of the MLB season with a 2-4 record. (AP)](http://sports.mynorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/aoki-620-200x125.jpg)
Five things we learned from the first week of the 2016 Mariners season, including a pair of strong starts from Felix Hernandez yet no wins for Seattle to show from them.
![Mariners notebook: Scott Servais wants to see right-handed hitters warm up](http://cms/14/1459/145996-200x125.jpg)
The Mariners have already seen a lot of lefty pitching in 2016, and manager Scott Servais hopes the right-handed hitters in the lineup will start taking advantage soon.
![Recent sports hernia surgery adds more durability concerns about NFL Draft prospect Travis Feeney. (AP)](http://cms/15/1558/155834-200x125.jpg)
Travis Feeney is the Washington Huskies’ top prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft, but the linebacker won’t be able to participate in UW’s Pro Day next week after recently undergoing sports hernia surgery, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
![Russell Okung, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, received no guaranteed money in his new deal. (AP)](http://sports.mynorthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/156139-200x125.jpg)
After details came out about Russell Okung’s contract with Denver, John Clayton said it could be the “worst contract for a sub-30, Pro Bowl-caliber player maybe ever done in free agency.”