Mariner Farm Report -- Ibanez Carries Load For Pilot Offense

The Riverside Pilots could have used a few clutch hits the past couple of weeks. The Seattle Mariners' Class A California League affiliate played six consecutive games decided by one run - and lost five of them.

"It's been frustrating at times. It's not like we're playing bad ball," Riverside Manager Dave Brundage said. "We've swung the bats pretty well. Our starting pitching has been good, getting us into the seventh or eighth inning. But we've found a way to lose."

One Pilot who has carried more than his share of the offensive load is catcher Raul Ibanez, 23, Seattle's 36th-round draft pick in 1992.

"He's been killing the ball. He's about as hot as you'll see. He hits for power. He has a tremendous amount of power. He runs pretty well. And he's averaging almost an RBI a game," Brundage said.

Ibanez indeed has been hot. In 13 games the past two weeks, he had 21 hits in 49 at-bats with four doubles, three triples, three home runs and 12 runs batted in.

For the season, he is batting .353, with 15 doubles, five triples, nine homers and 52 RBI in only 55 games.

Third baseman Rick Ladjevich (.306, five homers, 53 RBI) and Randy Jorgensen (.299, 11 homers, 66 RBI), ex-University of Washington first baseman, continued their consistent hitting.

Trey Moore (8-4, 2.67 earned-run average) pitched five no-hit innings in Riverside's 5-3 victory over San Jose on Wednesday night. In 6 1/3 innings, he gave up four hits, three walks, one unearned run and struck out 10.

Around the farms

-- Port City right-hander Matt Wagner (5-7, 2.51 ERA) won two games, allowing one unearned run and striking out 16 in 15 1/3 innings.

-- Tacoma's Jim Converse (2-5, 6.63 ERA), who has had some rough outings recently, pitched much better in a 2-1 Pacific Coast League loss to Tucson, giving up six hits and two runs in seven innings. "He was a lot more under control. He had better command of his pitches. He's still not there, but he made some adjustments and took a big step," said Jeff Andrews, Rainier pitching coach.

-- Jordan Zimmerman, hard-throwing left-hander from Texas' Blinn Junior College who was expected to pitch for the Everett AquaSox, is out for the season. He is at the Mariners' Peoria, Ariz., training complex resting and rehabilitating, said Larry Beinfest, Mariner assistant player-development director. The Mariners hope Zimmerman will be ready to pitch in the Arizona Instructional League in mid-September.

-- Kyle Towner (.259, 26 stolen bases), the swift Wisconsin outfielder whose average has climbed steadily since he quit switch-hitting, went 10 for 26 in seven games. Towner had only 22 hits in 56 games for Bellingham last season.

-- Everett left-hander Todd Niemeier (2-1, 1.95 ERA) turned in two strong outings (a win and a no-decision). In 15 1/3 innings, he allowed eight hits and one earned run, walked two and struck out 14.