SEATTLE -- The Mariners' struggling offense was missing its leadoff hitter for the second consecutive game in Sunday's 6-3 win over Toronto, as second baseman Dee Gordon continued to feel soreness after twisting his ankle in Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays. Gordon played Friday night, going 0-for-4, before sitting out Saturday after it continued to bother him.
"I haven't talked to Dee yet. … I originally had him in the lineup, but he's not quite 100 percent yet," manager Scott Servais said Sunday. "He could be available late in the game, if we needed him -- defense, pinch run or whatever. You got to trust your guys. They know their bodies better than anybody. But he's still a little bit sore. I think it bothers him more in the batter's box than it does [anywhere] else."
Gordon was one of the few bright spots for the M's lineup during July, posting a .323/.330/.376 slash line in 23 games. Asked when Gordon would return to the starting lineup, Servais simply said that Gordon was day to day. The Mariners could use his bat as they begin a 10-game road trip Monday, starting with a series against the Rangers.
In the meantime, Servais put Denard Span in the leadoff spot Sunday, marking the first time the veteran outfielder has hit first since being traded from Tampa Bay in late May. But it's not like Span has a lack of experience in that spot. Entering Sunday, the 34-year-old had posted a .279/.345/.391 line over 1,162 games as a leadoff man over 11 big league seasons. He went 1-for-5 on Sunday with a run scored.
"Denard's one of those unique guys," Servais said. "He could probably hit in any position in the lineup and do just fine. I think he's got enough experience. He's not going to try to change his approach based on where he's hitting in the lineup. So he's good of a guy as anybody."