Former Gamecock, Smoak, Sent Down to AAA Tacoma

SEATTLE, WA (KOMO Staff & News Services) — Just hours after the team shook up their lineup by trading star Ichiro Suzuki to the New York Yankees, the Seattle Mariners made another move in an effort to bolster the offense. The team sent slumping first baseman Justin Smoak to Triple-A Tacoma and will bring up outfielder-designated hitter Mike Carp. Smoak, acquired two years ago as the centerpiece in a trade deadline deal with Texas for pitcher Cliff Lee, was hitting .189. “This is for him,” manager Eric Wedge said. “This is what we feel is the right thing to do for him right now to give him a break, get him in a different environment without the pressure of being in the big leagues.” Smoak went hitless in three at-bats and was riding an 0-for-19 streak. “I think everybody has seen what’s going on. It’s one of those things, go down there, get work in and get back to where I was a couple months ago,” he said. The Mariners are expected to make another roster move soon to replace Ichiro’s spot.