04-18-2019, 06:37 AM
SEATTLE - The priority for general manager Jack Zduriencik and manager Lloyd McClendon was to add a pair of right-handed hitters and a starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners this off-season.Seattle gained the second right-handed bat it sought on Wednesday, acquiring Justin Ruggiano from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitcher Matt Brazis.While the acquisition of Ruggiano is not close to the same scale of the signing of slugger Nelson Cruz this month, it fulfills Seattles the need to find a right fielder that has strong career numbers against left-handed pitching.This is an addition we had talked about for a while, Zduriencik said.Ruggiano appeared in 81 games last season for the Cubs, hitting .281 with six homers and 28 RBIs but was slowed by two stints on the disabled list, including season-ending ankle surgery to remove bone spurs. Ruggiano said he finished his rehabilitation on his ankle about three weeks ago.Hes shown glimpses of power and hitting for average during two seasons in Miami. In 2012, Ruggiano batted .313 with 13 homers, a year after hitting a career-best 18 home runs in 128 games.Ruggiano also provides flexibility in the outfield; hes played all three positions. He was a little surprised by the trade.I want to be a part of that lineup every day, Ruggiano said. But Im here to fill whatever role they want me to fill and help Seattle win some games.Ruggianos career splits make him almost a certainty to be in Seattles lineup whenever a lefty is on the mound. For his career, Ruggiano has a .266 batting average, .508 slugging percentage and .836 on-base plus slugging against left-handed pitching.We saw this as a guy who certainly could hit left-handed pitching, he has done that in his career, Zduriencik said.Seattle designated for assignment pitcher Logan Bawcom to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Ruggiano.Brazis, 25, was 4-1 and a 2.36 ERA in 40 relief appearances last season with Single-A High Desert and Double-A Jackson. Johnny Bucyk Jersey . He will play 10th-seeded Feliciano Lopez in Sundays final, after the Spanish left-hander defeated Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7), 6-4. Jaromir Jagr Jersey . - Erick Torres scored his 10th goal of the season on a stunning volley, and Chivas USA edged 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday night. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/pat...ey-jersey/. These teams will see plenty of each other in the next few weeks as three of the Canucks next nine games are against the Wild (after today they meet February 9th in Minnesota and again February 16th at Rogers Arena). Phil Esposito Jersey . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins (5) – He had a brilliant game; it was a huge response for his average games before. Adam Oates Jersey . Dancevic won his singles match on Friday, defeating Go Soeda 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-1, to even the best-of-five series at a game apiece. World No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky in the opening match, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.The Turkish Super Lig fixture between Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor on Sunday was abandoned after a match official was attacked. Trabzonspor supporters, who had been throwing objects on to the pitch, then invaded the field and assaulted assistant referee Volkan Bayarslan. Istanbul side Fenerbahce, who are second in the table, were leading 4-0 after goals by Alper Potuk, Volkan Sen, Nani and Robin van Persie.With a minute of regulation time remaining, the Trabzonspor fans ran on to the pitch, one of them tackled Bayarslan before kicking and punching him until security intervened.ddddddddddddA statement from Fenerbahce on social media read: Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch and attacked the referee. The game will be ruled 4-0 in favour of Fenerbahce.As fans got on the pitch and beat up the assistant referee, the other referees went to the dressing room.There has been no comment on the incident from Trabzonspor. ' ' '