Left-handed pitcher Bobby Livingston was sent down by the Mariners on Sunday because of shortage of available arms in the bullpen and because he struggled in two of his three outings (10 runs in five innings, including two home runs). Strangley, Livingston struggled with control – he walked six. Most likely, it was a classic case of a young pitcher getting hit hard and then being scared out of the strike zone.

The move to the bullpen was the first time Livingston had pitched in relief. He said it was hard getting used to not throwing regularly and it was difficult for him to have command because he relies on feel for his pitches.

His future with the Mariners seems to favor him starting but that might not be in the team's plan. Rainiers manager Dave Brundage said it's not a given that Livingston would move back into Tacoma's rotation. Stay tuned.

Coming in Tuesday's News Tribune is a story I wrote about pitch counts and how they pertain to Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez, who is being closely monitored by the organization in his first full season in the majors.

www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/5741919p-5137774c.html

If you didn't see my weekly rankings in the Sunday paper, here they are:

1. White Sox – They’re the one team that has depth to make up for loss of a Jose Contreras.

2. New York Mets – Like my old Camaro, will probably need to get another starter.

3. Cincinnati – A real Junior achievement: Reds went 17-9 without Griffey in lineup.

4. St. Louis – What a difference a year makes: At this point in’05, already had 4½ game lead.

5. Boston – In last 75 post- and regular-season games vs. Yankees, have a 39-36 record.

6. New York Yankees – Because of injuries outfield becomes thinner than pre-BALCO Barry Bonds.

7. Detroit – Tigers, and not just Frosted Flakes, are proving to be GRRRRReat.

8. Colorado – On pace to have team’s best-ever record after 40 games (went 23-17 in 1995 and 1997).

9. Philadelphia – Players, fans trade barbs with ex-Phillie Billy Wagner to provide fuel for raging rivalry with Mets.

10. Arizona – You could argue that pitcher Brandon Webb (6-0, .87 walks per 9 innings) is NL’s best.

11. San Diego – 9-game winning streak’s no miracle. It’s just May (see last year’s 22-6 record).

12. Houston – Just call Astros pitcher “Magic” Wandy Rodriguez (5-1, 3.02 ERA).

13. Toronto – Blue Jays remain the third-best team in AL East despite being No. 1 in Canada.

14. Oakland – Who would have ever guessed that Frank Thomas would get hurt?

15. Texas – Could be this year’s version of the 2005 Padres: A .500 team winning a diluted division.

16. Los Angeles Dodgers – Just when you thought they were dead…

17. Milwaukee – Buzz is wearing off with Brewers fans as headaches begin to mount.

18. Cleveland – You know you are slumping when you lose three consecutive games vs. Royals.

19. Chicago Cubs – Hoping that Kerry Wood’s return this week provides a jolt.

20. San Francisco – Only thing stretched more than Bonds’ hat is imagining the Giants winning the division.

21. Minnesota – A real Twins killing: Can’t pitch or hit.

22. Los Angeles Angels – Lineup looking more and more like the Marlins.

23. Atlanta – You would have to go back to the Biff Pocoroba era to find a worse Braves team.

24. Seattle – ‘Big Richie’ Sexson ends homestand hitting more like Little Richard.

25. Tampa Bay – Like a soaked sponge, Devil Rays’ bullpen stinks and can’t clean up any mess.

26. Baltimore – Stinko play, not the Nationals, is why they should be worried about losing their fan base.

27. Washington – As season spirals downward team may entertain trading outfielder Alfonso Soriano.

28. Kansas City – Yeah, Cleveland rocks: Five of first 10 victories came vs. Indians.

29. Pittsburgh – Maintaining their lead over Mariners in race for worst team in a great stadium division.

30. Florida – Don’t they have something better to do in Miami? 8,717 fans watch Fish lose, 9-1, to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Question: What role is the team looking to have nageotte fill for the big leage squad? Is there a chance he could join the M's this year?
– jshmtred

Answer: Nageotte remains high on the Mariners list of pitchers who could be called up should their be a need. The key for Nageotte, whether he's pitching in relief or as a starter, is throwing strikes. He has a tendency to get in trouble when he falls behind in the count and starts walking people (for an example, remember his one day up, one day back in Tacoma experience earlier this season when he walked two, gave up a three-run homer in one inning).

For the time being, Nageotte will start in Tacoma. That could change depending on injury or ineffectiveness at the major league level.