Notebook: Is shortstop next to ride Japanese wave to Seattle?

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There apparently is another player from Japan who wants to play in the major leagues, but whether he joins Kazu Sasaki and Ichiro in Seattle is another matter.

Kazuo Matsui, a highly regarded shortstop for the Seibu Lions of Japan's Pacific League, reportedly has a strong desire to be posted, as Ichiro was last year, to make way for him to play in this country.

Although Matsui is not supposed to be posted until after the 2002 season, word from Japan is that he has Seattle high on the list of teams for whom he'd like to play.

One Mariner official responded quickly, "We don't know anything about him." Then he smiled. Like all clubs, the Mariners must be careful to avoid tampering, even if a player indicates a preference.

Matsui, 25, a right-handed hitter, is in his seventh season with Seibu. He has been a Pacific League All-Star five times and a member of Japan's Best Nine four times. Going into this season, he had a .305 career average and 234 stolen bases in 739 games. He won the MVP Award in 1998, Gold Gloves in 1997 and 1998, and was the Pacific League stolen-base leader in 1997, '98 and '99.

Matsui, who is said to have an engaging personality, is still maturing as a player.

Ted Heid, Seattle's lead Pacific Rim scout, said it is more difficult to judge the ability of a Japanese infielder to play in this country.

"Almost all their fields are turf, including high schools," Heid said. "Matsui is a fine player, but you can't really tell at this point if he or any Japanese infielder can play on grass. You'd have to see it first."

Indeed, reports from Japan are that Matsui sometimes struggles at Kobe Green Stadium, home of the Orix Blue Wave, for whom Ichiro starred. It is the only grass playing field in the league.

Matsui, hitting in the .340-.350 range this season while dealing with a hamstring problem, is said to have the strongest arm in Japan.

A major-league team could try to convert him to the outfield. Shortstop Carlos Guillen's play with the Mariners this season rates him Gold Glove consideration.

Matsui has the same exceptional speed as Ichiro, but not the same rare jump out of the batter's box. He is said to be faster between the bases than the Seattle outfielder.

Asked to comment on Matsui, Ichiro said he preferred not to.

"It is a delicate issue," Ichiro said. "I don't wish to offend people in Japan. But as far as Matsui as a player, he is a good one."

Notes

• Dan Wilson's offense-starting two-run homer yesterday was his 68th as a Mariner catcher, tying him with Dave Valle for the franchise lead at that position.

• Charles Gipson's double while hitting for Mike Cameron in the eighth broke a 0-for-9 pinch-hitting slump for Seattle.

• Ichiro's single gave him hits in 45 of the 49 games he has played.

• Through Sunday, Seattle relievers had just as many strikeouts as the starters. Going into yesterday's game, the Mariner bullpen led the league with 153 Ks in 165-1/3 innings. Mariner starters had 153 in 271-1/3 innings.

• Seattle has a winning record in games when the bullpen blows a save. In seven such games, including the 5-4 win Sunday when Kazu Sasaki lost the lead in the ninth, the Mariners are 5-2.

How the runs scored

Mariner second -- Cameron grounded out, shortstop Delgado to first baseman McCarty. Guillen singled to left. On McCarty's error on a pickoff attempt, Guillen to second. Martin grounded out, second baseman Alicea to first baseman McCarty, Guillen to third. Wilson homered to left on a full count, Guillen scored. Ichiro grounded out, second baseman Alicea to first baseman McCarty. 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 0 left on. M's 2, Royals 0.

Mariner third -- McLemore singled to center. Martinez walked, McLemore to second. Olerud singled to center, McLemore scored, Martinez to second. Boone struck out. Cameron walked on a full count, Martinez to third, Olerud to second. Guillen lined out to second baseman Alicea. On Alicea's error, Martinez scored, Olerud to third, Cameron to second. Martin struck out. 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. M's 4, Royals 0.

Mariner fourth -- Wilson doubled to center. Ichiro singled to right, Wilson to third. Santiago pitching. McLemore grounded into fielder's choice, second baseman Alicea unassisted, Wilson scored, Ichiro out. Martinez doubled to left, McLemore scored. Olerud walked. Boone struck out. Cameron doubled to center, Martinez scored, Olerud scored. Guillen doubled to right, Cameron scored. Martin walked on a full count. Wilson struck out. 5 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. M's 9, Royals 0.

Royals fourth -- Alicea grounded out, shortstop Guillen to first baseman Olerud. Sweeney flied out to right fielder Ichiro. Dye homered to left on a 0-1 count. Randa grounded out, third baseman McLemore to first baseman Olerud. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. M's 9, Royals 1.

Mariner fifth -- Ichiro singled to center. McLemore flied out to left fielder Brown. Martinez was hit by a pitch, Ichiro to second. Olerud doubled to left, Ichiro scored, Martinez to third. Boone lined out to right fielder Dye. Cameron walked on a full count. Guillen struck out. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 3 left on. M's 10, Royals 1.

Royals sixth -- Beltran struck out. Alicea lined out to second baseman Boone. Sweeney homered to center on a 1-1 count. Dye struck out. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. M's 10, Royals 2.

Mariner eighth -- Bailey pitching. Fasano in as catcher. Boone walked on four pitches. Gipson pinch-hitting for Cameron. On Fasano's passed ball, Boone to second. Gipson doubled to center, Boone scored. Guillen singled to right, Gipson to third. Martin grounded out, first baseman McCarty unassisted, Gipson scored, Guillen to second. Wilson grounded out, shortstop Delgado to first baseman McCarty, Guillen to third. Ichiro grounded out, third baseman Randa to first baseman McCarty. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. M's 12, Royals 2.

Mariner ninth -- Henry pitching. McLemore struck out. Sprague pinch-hitting for Martinez. Sprague walked on a full count. Olerud singled to right, Sprague to second. Boone grounded into fielder's choice, shortstop Delgado to second baseman Alicea, Sprague to third, Olerud out. Gipson singled to center, Sprague scored, Boone to second. Guillen flied out to right fielder Dye. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. M's 13, Royals 2.

Royals ninth -- Sprague in as designated hitter. Alicea walked on a full count. Sweeney grounded into fielder's choice, shortstop Guillen to second baseman Boone, Alicea out. Dye walked on a full count, Sweeney to second. Randa singled to right, Sweeney scored, Dye to second. Brown struck out. McCarty struck out. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. M's 13, Royals 3.