Wedge desires increased veteran leadership

HOUSTON -- Riding a six-game losing streak into Thursday's opening game of an eight-game road trip, Mariners manager Eric Wedge reiterated that his team needs veteran leadership to step up and help the team finish strong.

Wedge said that focus needs to be both on the field and in the clubhouse.

"Two different things," he said. "With the middle of the order, you're looking at the veteran guys there being a big part of what you're doing from an offensive standpoint. And at this point in time at the end of August and September, even more so.

"And with regard to the veteran leadership, it's about sometimes it's important to be a little more vocal from time to time with your team. I think our guys do a great job individually with each other, but sometimes you have to be a little more vocal from a team standpoint when you're playing like we played at home."

Wedge said his message definitely had to do with the team's recent struggles.

"I never say anything without thinking about it," he said. "Every game counts. We've got 30 games left and we have to play each game like it's our last. They look at how you finish. That's more [important] than how you start."