SEATTLE – They broke camp with closer Brandon Morrow and a bullpen full of uncertainties, no one thought the Seattle Mariners relievers would be one of the strengths of the franchise.

By mid-May, David Aardsma was a closer who’d never saved a game prior to 2009, and his setup men were two pitchers Mariners fans either didn’t trust or didn’t know – Mark Lowe and Sean White.

“There were times this season I’d have put those three up against anyone in baseball,” manager Don Wakamatsu said Saturday.

White went down with shoulder inflammation three weeks ago, while Lowe (75) and Aardsma (72) are second and fifth in the American League in relief appearances.

Is that too many games?

“We plan on playing another full month next year,” Wakamatsu said. “You can’t put a ceiling on what they can do. You have to go through this to prepare for that.”

Only one Mariners reliever – Ed Vande Berg (78 in 1982 and 76 in 1985) – pitched in more games than Lowe, and he was a situational left-hander who rarely faced more than a batter or two.

To better put those numbers in perspective, consider this: Aardsma’s previous career high for appearances was 47 games, Lowe’s 57.

“When we lost Sean, it made a big difference this last month,” Lowe said. “I’d pitch the seventh and eighth some games, need a little more time between appearances. But you find ways to adjust.

“Having been through this season, and wanting to pitch through October next year, I know I have to work harder in the offseason,” Lowe said. “Why settle for being good when you could be great?”

The Mariners have plenty in the bullpen – the arms of Aardsma, Lowe, White and Shawn Kelley, the rookie with the high-octane fastball who now has a year of experience.

“Shawn has shown the talent to work in the seventh, eighth, ninth inning,” Wakamatsu said.

Lowe was shut down Saturday and won’t be at Safeco Field today, flying to St. Louis for the funeral of his grandfather.

Short hops

Felix Hernandez will start today without a pitch count, but Wakamatsu said he may be on a short leash, anyway. “We’re not going to let him go too far, risk hurting himself,” Wakamatsu said. … Marked improvement: Over the first 83 games this season, designated hitters Mike Sweeney and Ken Griffey Jr. combined to hit .224 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs and 34 RBI. Over their past 68 games, the same two have batted .268 with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 43 RBI ... Kenji Johjima (bruised left elbow) is finishing the season strong. In his past 16 starts, he’s batted .309 with five doubles and three home runs. He returned to the lineup Saturday after missing four games after being hit by a pitch.

On tap

Seattle ends the season with a 1:10 p.m. game today against Texas. It will be broadcast on FSN and 770-AM. Probable starting pitchers: Texas’ Scott Feldman (17-6, 3.90 ERA) vs. Hernandez (18-5, 2.48).

larry.larue@thenewstribune.com

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