Rowland-Smith shines again for Mariners

By Ryan Divish | The News Tribune • Published September 27, 2008

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SEATTLE – Ryan Rowland-Smith walked off the mound to a standing ovation from an appreciative Safeco Field crowd of 24,440. Part of the appreciation was for his latest outing, but more of it was because he has been one of the few rays of hope in an otherwise dim season.

The big Australian left-hander, who made a seamless midseason transition from reliever to starter, gave the Mariners his eighth straight quality start — defined as at least six innings and no more than three earned runs allowed — in a 7-3 win for Seattle over Oakland.

Rowland-Smith pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and three earned runs. He walked two and struck out five.

"I think about three or four starts ago, we really felt good about what he was doing," Mariners manager Jim Riggleman said. "He's just kind of added to it the last few weeks. He's just getting better and better and I think it's a real bright spot of the organization that he's come on like he has."

With the 2008 season ending today, thoughts already turn to next season. For Rowland-Smith, his two-month audition as a starter seems to have gone well enough to earn him a spot in the M's rotation next season.

"There's not much more he can do except show up to spring training ready to nail his spot down," Riggleman said.

Rowland-Smith grinned a little upon hearing of that comment.

"I feel like I've done enough," he said. "But anything can happen in the offseason, and you still have to have a good spring. No matter what happens, I'm just going to keep working."

Perhaps more was made of Brandon Morrow's transition to starter by fans and media, but Rowland-Smith's transition came earlier and he has been far more successful. The string of quality starts is proof of that.

"He goes out there and gives us a chance to win every time," Riggleman said.

Unfortunately, his 5-3 record isn't entirely indicative of that. The Mariners haven't been great about scoring runs in his starts. On Saturday, they scored more in one inning (6) than they had in his previous three starts combined.