The Mariners Monday recalled outfielder James Jones from AAA Tacoma to take the roster spot vacated by RHP Erasmo Ramirez, whom the club optioned back to the Rainiers following its 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox Sunday. Jones was available Monday night when the Mariners begin a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Safeco Field.
Jones, 25, begins his third stint with the Mariners this season. He hit .258 (75×291) with 38 runs, eight doubles, four triples and eight RBIs with 20 stolen bases in 21 attempts in 79 games. In his most recent eightv games with Tacoma, Jones hit .257 (9×35) with five runs, two doubles, two triples and four RBIs. In 28 games with the Rainiers overall, he hit .296 (34×115) with five doubles, three triples, two home runs, 12 RBIs and five stolen bases.
Ramirez, 24, threw 4.1 shutout innings Sunday but did not factor in the decision, was pulled in mid-batter in the fifth inning. In four stints with the Mariners, he is 1-5 with a 4.06 ERA (29 ER, 64.1 IP) with 54 strikeouts. In his last six starts, he is 0-1 with a 1.15 ERA (4 ER, 31.1 IP) with 26 strikeouts, lowering his ERA from 6.82 to 4.06.
Overall with Tacoma this season, Ramirez is 3-5 with a 3.76 ERA (29 ER, 69.1 IP) with 51 strikeouts in 12 starts. He also made one start with High-A High Desert.
Felix Hernandez (12-3, 1.97) goes against the Blue Jays Monday, working opposite RHP Drew Hutchinson (8-9, 4.39). The Mariners (62-55) and Blue Jays (63-56) began the day trailing Kansas City for the second AL wild card spot by 1.5 games.
