 He started the season's first game as Seattle's center fielder and leadoff hitter, coming to the plate four times with two walks and one stolen base.Although he continued to start for the Mariners, Nixon did not get his first hit until the season's fifth game, a run-scoring double off Les Straker.On May 1, with Nixon batting just .130, he was sent back to the minors, where he played for the Triple-A Calgary Cannons, the Mariners' top farm team.