SEATTLE -- Tacoma third baseman Matt Mangini hit a big two-run homer in Monday's win over Sacramento, and it continued what has been a breakout year for the 24-year-old. Mangini, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, finished the regular season with a .313 batting average, 18 home runs and 63 RBIs and could very well be an intriguing new depth-chart presence come Spring Training

"He impressed me this year," said Mariners interim skipper Daren Brown, who managed Mangini at Tacoma for much of this year. "Coming into the year, we really didn't know what to expect from him. I'd seen his numbers at Double-A. He had shown some power. He had shown ability to hit. But I didn't expect him to come in and hit .310 and hit 18 or 19 home runs."

Brown pointed out the fact that Mangini, who posted a .273 average, belted 12 homers and notched 67 RBIs at West Tennessee in 2009, has been a work in progress in the field, with 24 errors in 96 games at third base and four miscues in 16 games at first base, but his bat has opened organizational eyes.

"Offensively, he's come a long ways this year," Brown said. "He's played third base and first base, so he's keeping his options open as to where he could play. [He's] an interesting guy. He's performed well down there, so you start thinking, 'Could he do it up here?' And you're always looking for a guy that could come up and [have] an offensive impact."

Bradley likely done for year

SEATTLE -- It didn't seem likely that Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley would play again this year after going on the disabled list with right knee tendinitis on July 31, and interim manager Daren Brown more or less confirmed that Monday while adding that Bradley is responding well to treatment and has been in good spirits lately.

"If I had to say right now, it wouldn't be a very good percentage, simply because if the rehab is going good and it's feeling good, I think it would be important to continue that and go into the winter," Brown said. "The other side is, we could play him for three or four days to make sure, but I don't know if that benefits.

"[It's] good to see a smile on his face, and he's feeling good."

Mariners celebrate with Rainiers

SEATTLE -- There was a little extra traffic heading to Safeco Field from the Sea-Tac Airport on Sunday night.

A large group of Mariners went directly from the airport to the ballpark, where the Triple-A Rainiers were busy knocking off the Sacramento River Cats, 4-1, to advance to the Pacific Coast League Championships against Memphis.

Current Mariners catcher Adam Moore, infielders Matt Tuiasosopo and Chris Woodward, pitchers David Pauley, Jamey Wright, Chris Seddon and Brian Sweeney and outfielder Ryan Langerhans all put in various amounts of time at Tacoma this year, and all were among the fans watching the team for the last few innings and then celebrating its victory.

Also present was current interim Mariners manager Daren Brown, who piloted the Tacoma club for most of the year before taking over the big league team on Aug. 9.

"I was really excited for them and happy for them," Moore said. "Obviously that's good for this organization, having a team at the highest level in the Minor Leagues going down there and winning. I wish them the best of luck and hope they do get a ring. I want a ring."

Brown -- "being the deep thinker I am," he said -- figured he didn't want to get doused with potables out on the field, so he waited for the team back in the clubhouse.

"It's good to see them celebrate, for a group of kids that I spent over 100 games down there with," Brown added. "To see them just keep plugging along and going at it every day and then get to see them pop the champagne last night was kind of neat to see, and I'm excited for them."

Mariners dismiss pro scouting director Fusco

SEATTLE -- A Mariners official on Monday confirmed a local television report that the team has relieved director of professional scouting Carmen Fusco of his duties.

KING-5 first reported the dismissal, which is effective immediately. Fusco was named to his position in November 2008, brought to Seattle by general manager Jack Zduriencik. The two grew up together in New Castle, Pa., and worked with each other in the Mets' and Brewers' baseball operations departments.

Zduriencik was not immediately available for comment.

Fusco's duties entailed overseeing the team's scouting of all professional baseball, including hiring and training the pro scouting staff.

Fusco's is the sixth dismissal by the Mariners this season. Also let go were manager Don Wakamatsu, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, pitching coach Rick Adair, bench coach Ty Van Burkleo and performance coach Steve Hecht.

Worth noting

Mariners outfielder Michael Saunders recorded his team-leading seventh outfield assist in Sunday's game and ranks fourth among American League rookie outfielders in that category. ... The Mariners on Monday announced the extension of the player development contract with the High Desert Mavericks (Class A). The contract, which would have run out at the end of the 2010 season, has been extended to cover the 2011-12 seasons. The Mariners had previously announced extensions with Triple-A Tacoma (four-year), Double-A Jackson (rebranded, two-year), Class A Clinton (two-year), Class A (short season) Everett (two-year) and rookie Pulaski (two-year).