Carp chasing DiMaggio's record

ARLINGTON, Texas – Someone warn the DiMaggio family – Mike Carp is on his way.

Entering the Seattle Mariners’ 116th game of the season Wednesday, rookie Carp had a 10-game hitting streak that he was pleased about for two reason. First, it meant he’d been hitting well.

And second?

“I don’t think I’d ever played 10 consecutive games in the majors,” Carp said.

Carp has been called up to Seattle for parts of the season since 2009 and been used mostly as a pinch hitter or spot starter. Since his latest recall July 19, Carp has gotten his playing time in left field, first base and designated hitter.

What he’s done since that call-up is bat .351 with five doubles, a triple, three home runs and 16 RBI with a .375 on-base percentage.

“He’s giving us the best at-bats of anyone on the club,” manager Eric Wedge said.

As for that streak, 10 games is nice, but he had a 22-gamer in Tacoma earlier this season which ended when he was called up to Seattle and pulled from a Rainiers game in which he was 0-for-1.

“That streak was the longest of my career, anywhere,” Carp said.

Here’s the eerie part: If Carp hits in each of the remaining 46 games, he’d end the season tied with Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game streak.

Carp isn’t planning for the party.

LUEKE LOOKS BACK

After giving up a walk and a home run in Seattle’s 7-6 loss Tuesday, rookie reliever Josh Lueke wasn’t speaking to the media, though he was polite in declining.

“I don’t talk after bad games, I never have, never will,” Lueke said Wednesday. “You wouldn’t want to talk to me after bad games. The next day, it’s forgotten, I’ll talk. Just not right after the game.”

What bothered him most?

“Throwing (Ian) Kinsler a fastball in a 2-0 count when I knew he was sitting fastball,” Lueke said, shaking his head. “Stupid!”

ERRORLESS STREAK

We bring you news which was four days old but news because, until Wednesday, no one realized it had happened.

Say what?

In Saturday’s Mariners-Angels game in Anaheim, Calif., Franklin Gutierrez tied Darin Erstad’s American League record for consecutive errorless chances by an out fielder (723) – but the baseball information department initially overlooked the record.

Gutierrez broke the record Sunday and, entering the game Wednesday in Texas, had 726 total consecutive chances since making his last error Aug. 20, 2009.

The major league record belongs to Darren Lewis (938) and was set with San Francisco and Oakland, from 1990-1994. If Gutierrez matches that, someone is bound to notice.

SHORT HOPS

Adam Kennedy wasn’t in the lineup in part because he felt a “pop” in his right heel while rounding second on a two-run triple Tuesday. He’s fine, but was given a precautionary day off. … Reliever Shawn Kelley, who’d been pitching on a rehab assignment in Tacoma, came off the 60-day disabled list. Activated and placed on the 40-man roster, Kelley was optioned to the Rainiers.

ON TAP

The Seattle Mariners have the day off before opening a three-game series with Boston on Friday at Safeco Field.