M's, J.J. Putz take a step forward with 8-4 win over Baltimore

In his address to the Safeco Field crowd while being honored before Sunday's game, Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus noted the three AL West championship banners hanging in right field.

"One flag is missing, but believe you me, it will hang there one of these days soon — the world championship of baseball," Niehaus said, eliciting loud cheers, if not a few snickers.

It's hard for all but the most ardent optimists to envision a World Series emerging from Seattle's current malaise. But if the Mariners are going to regain their contending status, the blueprint is predicated upon a return to dominance of once and future closer J.J. Putz.

In the midst of an 8-4 Mariners' win over the Orioles on Sunday, Putz took a major step toward regaining his ninth-inning job. And when that happens, it will free the team to make another move they envision as a steppingstone for future success: Brandon Morrow in the starting rotation.

Putz has worked sporadically and, for the most part, ineffectively, since coming back recently from missing a month with a hyperextended right elbow.

But coming on in relief of starter Carlos Silva in the seventh inning with the score tied Sunday, Putz gave a glimpse of his old overpowering self.

He got Jay Payton to pop up with a runner on first to end the inning. Then, after the Mariners broke it open with three runs in the bottom of the seventh — the big hit a two-run single by Raul Ibanez — Putz retired the Orioles on just nine pitches in the eighth, giving up only a soft, two-out single to Melvin Mora.

"The whole day was encouraging," Putz said. "Just to be able go out there and command the strike zone on a consistent basis, and throw all three pitches for strikes was big."

Manager Jim Riggleman said before the game that the team plans to transition Morrow into a starter once Putz shows he can handle the ninth inning again.

"It's going to happen at some point," Riggleman said.

After having one of the best seasons a closer has ever had last year — 40 saves in 42 opportunities — Putz has blown five of 12 attempts this year, including his last two. He has been on the DL twice, once with a rib injury early in the season before the elbow problem that sidelined him from June 13 to July 20.

"It's like I've been taking two steps forward and one step back," he said. "This is like spring training again. ... it's just something that's going to take some time."

In the meantime, Morrow has solidified the closing job, converting 10 out of 12 save opportunities. He worked the ninth Sunday to preserve Putz's victory.

Asked if he was aching to get his closing job back, Putz said, "Of course. That's my job. But the first and most important thing is [to] be able go out and be consistent with all my pitches, be aggressive and pound the strike zone. It was very encouraging today.

"Jim's got to win ball games. He's managing for a job next year. I'm willing to do whatever he needs us to do, whatever gives us the best chance to win. I'd love to be closing games out. But him and Mel [Stottlemyre, pitching coach] and Norm [Charlton, bullpen coach] will decide when I'm back to where they need me to be.

"I think today was a really big step in making that decision easier for them."

Putz was particularly encouraged by a wicked split-fingered pitch he threw to Nick Markakis in the eighth, inducing a weak combacker. He has had trouble commanding the split since his return, removing a major pitch from his arsenal.

"Don't think other teams don't know that," he said. "When you're pitching with just a fastball and your third pitch, a slider, it's frustrating. To be able to go out and execute today is a very, very big step."

Riggleman said before the game that there's plenty of time this season to convert Morrow to starting once Putz regains his closing form.

"How long did it take [Ryan] Rowland-Smith? He's already ready," he pointed out. "It doesn't take long. In two weeks, you can have him stretched out enough to go five innings, and we have seven weeks to go. We're not looking for Brandon to come out here and go eight or nine innings."

Perhaps the biggest hit for the Mariners on Sunday was Jose Lopez's two-out solo homer in the sixth off Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera that tied the score at 4.

The wind that whipped through Safeco all day blew back a few long drives by both teams. But this time the wind helped blow Lopez's ball fair, and it hit the foul pole in left.

"I got lucky on that one," Lopez said. "A lot of balls died today."

Niehaus has press box

named after him

A week after receiving the Ford C. Frick Award at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Niehaus was bestowed another honor. During a pregame ceremony, the Mariners announced that the broadcast level of the press box will be called "the Dave Niehaus Broadcast Center."

Niehaus was feted with videotaped tributes from the likes of Harold Reynolds, Steve Raible, Bob Rondeau, Bob Blackburn, Vin Scully, Marty Brenneman, Joe Garagiola, Jamie Moyer, Harry Kalas and Larry Andersen. Edgar Martinez, like Niehaus a member of the Mariners' Hall of Fame, made a live appearance. He presented Niehaus with a crystal microphone from the Mariners' organization in recognition of winning the Frick Award.

Niehaus's long-time partner, Rick Rizzs, emceed the ceremony. Joining Niehaus on the field were his wife Marilyn as well as two of his three children, and seven grandchildren.

"Last Sunday was a lot easier," Niehaus said when he took the microphone, referring to his induction speech in Cooperstown. "Reggie Jackson told me, 'Don't look behind you. It will be too intimidating.' Now I have to look forward, and it's more intimidating.

"You've been with me all the way, and as I mentioned last Sunday, each and every one of you stood on that dais with me."

Bedard throws in outfield

Erik Bedard, who hasn't pitched since July 4 because of soreness in his left shoulder, made a small but encouraging step forward. Bedard, who had been virtually shut down over the past month, played catch in the outfield, throwing 30 balls from 60 feet without discomfort. He will do the same tonight when the Mariners open a series with Minnesota.

"It's positive," Mariners trainer Rick Griffin said. "Erik said he felt good. It's just the first step, but the fact he got out there, felt good throwing, and didn't feel any discomfort, that's a great sign. Every day, we'll add to it."

Griffin declined to project a timetable for Bedard's return.

"We're projecting he'll play catch tomorrow," Griffin quipped.

Jones out of lineup

Ex-Mariner Adam Jones, who fouled a ball off his left foot on Saturday, was out of the Orioles' lineup. He left in a walking cast and will receive a CT scan on the foot.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com.

For the record

Streak: W1

Home: 21-34

Road: 21-35

vs. AL West: 13-19

vs. L.A.: 3-6

vs. Oakland: 4-5

vs. Texas: 6-8

vs. AL East: 12-25

vs. AL Cent.: 8-16

vs. NL: 9-9

vs. LHP: 11-22

vs. RHP: 31-47

Day: 13-23

Night: 29-46

One-run: 11-22

Extra inn.: 2-6

Home attendance

Sunday's crowd: 33,334

Season total: 1,619,418

Biggest crowd: 46,334 (March 31)

Smallest crowd: 15,818 (May 6)

Average (55 dates): 29,444

2007 average (55 dates): 31,848