Gamel to see plenty of playing time down stretch

SEATTLE — As the Mariners head down the stretch with their final three-and-a-half weeks of the season, expect to see Ben Gamel’s name in the lineup on a regular basis.

The 24-year-old rookie, acquired by trade from the Yankees a week ago, got the start in right field again Wednesday night against the Rangers despite Tuesday’s return of veteran Norichika Aoki from Triple-A Tacoma.

The left-handed hitting Gamel, Aoki and Seth Smith will divide time against right-handed starters in the two corner outfield spots. It was Smith leading off and playing left field on Wednesday and Gamel in right field at the bottom of the lineup.

“We’re going to really look at those corner outfield spots against right-handed pitching,” manager Scott Servais said. “We’ve got the three guys. I do think we owe an opportunity to find out what Ben Gamel can do. So he’s going to play.

“It doesn’t mean he’s going to play every day, but I want to try to get him in there and see what we’ve got. I think it’s the right thing to do for our organization. The other guys we’ll get in there as they fit.”

Since his acquisition for two Minor League pitchers, Gamel has started four games and pinch-hit in the other two. He hasn’t hit much yet — 1-for-12 in his limited time going into Wednesday’s game — but he’s walked four times, scored twice and made several excellent catches in the …

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