Aaron Sele Starting Pitcher Seattle Mariners Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L Sv K ERA 34 15 5 0 114 3.60

NEW YORK -- Contrary to numerous rumors, Aaron Sele will start Monday's Game 5 for Seattle.

There had been reports prior to Game 4 that Seattle manager Lou Piniella was considering rookie Joel Pineiro, who had a 2.03 ERA in 75 innings this year, or ace Freddy Garcia if the Mariners were to lose. If Garcia were to pitch, it would be on three days' rest. But Piniella squashed both rumors on Sunday.

"This is a time for experienced pitchers," Piniella said. "Pineiro we would not consider. We have confidence in Aaron. He's pitched well for us all year."

In two postseason starts this year, Sele is 0-2 with a 5.62 ERA. He started Game 1 of the ALCS, throwing six innings of seven-hit, three-run ball, but it was no match for Andy Pettitte, who gave up just one run. Pettitte will again oppose Sele in Game 5.

"The starting pitcher's job is to go out there and to pitch ballgames and give your team a chance to win," Sele said. "But whether you get the win or loss, the ultimate goal is to get your team a victory."

One loss from elimination, the Mariners are counting heavily on Sele, who is winless in six career postseason starts. Sele is 107-68 in his regular-season career, but 0-5 in the playoffs with four of the losses coming against the Yankees.

"They have got great pitching and great defense," Sele said. "When you have the starters that they do, that puts pressure on the other team because you cannot afford to make mistakes. One or two mistakes, and their starter is going to hold you down. And their hitters are balanced, 1-through-9."

Pettitte, who shut down Seattle with eight innings of three-hit ball for a 4-2 victory in Game 1, is 9-5 for his career in the postseason. But he said it's difficult for a pitcher to face the same team twice in one series.

"I think it's the hitters' advantage, to tell you the truth," Pettitte said Sunday. "Just because they kind of see what your ball is doing and stuff like that. But if you are able to make quality pitches, you are usually going to get guys out."

If Sele should come out on top, the Mariners will have Garcia set to go in Game 6 and Jamie Moyer in Game 7 on full rest.

"We've got our pitching set up the way we want it," Piniella said. "Now what we have to do is get this thing back to Seattle. But we're going to stay the way we are."

Wayne Drehs is a staff writer for ESPN.com.