Outfielder Endy Chavez became an American citizen on Monday, a process the 31-year-old had undertaken quite some time ago.

He was prepared for most anything, except perhaps the response of his teammates.

As he has done each time something of import has happened since the first week of spring training, Mike Sweeney called players to a circle in the clubhouse for an announcement.

“Endy Chavez has become an American citizen today,” he announced, making Chavez stand on a chair in the middle of the circle. Much cheering ensued. “Today, he is no longer a Latino!”

Sweeney then turned to one of Chavez’s fellow native Venezuelans, Carlos Silva, and asked him to lead the team in a moment of silence. Everyone was quiet, and then Silva broke the spell.

“Bleep you!” he yelled, and everyone laughed and slapped Chavez on the back.

That’s about as serious as this group gets about such things, but Chavez was beaming.

After weeks of working out and taking ground balls and trying to learn the intricacies of playing first base (believe me it's more difficult than you think), Jeff Clement will start his first game at first base tonight in Colorado Springs against the Sky Sox. A big thanks to the estimable Mike Curto - the voice of the Rainiers and frequent TNT contributor for the heads up. Here's his minor league column he wrote for the TNT this week.

If you want to listen to the game, tune into 850-AM at 5:05. Or you can click here to listen to the broadcast of Curto's call.

That's the kind of thing they told us in grade school in California, where they were afraid rain would somehow intimidate young minds who so rarely saw it.

It's taking turns here at the ballpark, drizzling one moment, coming down pretty hard the next. Tarps on the infield, players hidden away safely inside.

Hitters can get their work done in cages under the stands. Pitchers?

"We don't have anyone - rotation or bullpen - who was scheduled to throw today," pitching coach Rick Adair said. "So no one is missing any work."

Brilliant scheduling?

"Luck," Adair said. "We have the off-day (Thursday), so it's just the way the it worked out today."
Personally, I'd have gone with brilliant scheduling.

The boys are playing cards, working the crosswords, reading at the lockers or - in Mike Sweeney's case - studying video.

No word on the game, yet. Here in the midwest, things can change quickly, but the front that's hunkered down over the ballpark doesn't seem in a hurry to leave.

If they play, here's the Mariners lineup:
Ichiro RF
Chavez LF
Sweeney DH
Beltre 3B
Branyan 1B
Lopez 2B
Johnson C
Gutierrez CF
Betancourt SS
Jakubauskas RHP

I've been meaning to do this, but have had some logistical issues with doing this, but here's the complete minor league report we receive from the Mariners daily.

AAA Tacoma Rainiers (PCL)
Mike Curto's game story.
Tacoma 5 runs, 11 hits, 0 errors

Colorado Springs 7 runs, 11 hits, 0 errors
Pitching Lines: IP, H, R, ER, BB, K
RH Gabby Hernandez 5.0,7,4,4,1,3
RH Eric Hull (L, 3-1) 2.0,4,3,3,0,1
LH Justin Thomas 1.0,0,0,0,1,1
With the Bats:
1B Mike Carp 2x4, 2 R, HR, RBI
C Guillermo Quiroz 2x4, R, HR, 2 RBI
DH Jeff Clement 2x4, 2B, 3B
SS Chris Woodward 2x4
RF Prentice Redman (right)1x5, R, HR, RBI
LF Bryan LaHair 1x4, R, HR, RBI
Of Note: Guillermo Quiroz, Mike Carp and Bryan LaHair each hit home runs for Tacoma, but the Rainiers fell 7-5 to Colorado Springs on Sunday afternoon. Eric Hull took the loss for Tacoma, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits in 2.0 innings. Prentice Redman extended his hitting streak to 9 games, batting .429 (15x35) with 4 multi-hit games. Redman has also hit safely 15 of 17 games this season, batting .343 (24x70) with 17 runs scored, 4 doubles, 6 home runs and 10 RBI. Since starting the season batting .045 (1x22), Jeff Clement is batting .419 (13x31) with 6 runs scored, 6 extrabase hits and 7 RBI during his current 7-game hit streak.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Chris Seddon (1-1, 6.14 ERA) at Colorado Springs

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