Angels’ Yunel Escobar held out against Mariners because of a sore left knee

At the moment the Angels’ Saturday night loss to Seattle ended, when a replay review confirmed the call on the field, trainer Adam Nevala was examining Yunel Escobar at first base. Escobar had stretched his last two strides in attempt to beat out the game-ending double-play ball, but he had come up short, and appeared to hurt his legs in the process.

Manager Mike Scioscia said afterward that the third baseman was fine, and the 33-year-old was in the lineup upon his arrival at Safeco Field on Sunday. Then, two hours before first pitch, he was scratched because of a sore left knee.

Without Escobar, the Angels lineup was not oriented for success, even more imbalanced than normal. Scioscia’s first three hitters entered the game with 138.6 wins above replacement on offense in their combined careers. His next six hitters had 10.8.

Jefry Marte, who started the season in triple A, hit cleanup. Andrelton Simmons, who has hit just one home run in 77 games, hit fifth.

Scioscia said he expected Escobar to be fit to play Tuesday at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, the Angels’ next game after Monday’s scheduled day off. In his first season as an Angel, Escobar has avoided the disabled list, but has sat out 13 games because of injury.

Short hops

Immediately after Sunday’s game, the Mariners showed the clip of Ichiro Suzuki launching a triple for his 3,000th hit, to applause from the sold-out crowd at Safeco Field. Their team chairman issued a statement calling Suzuki an “international baseball superstar.” … After holding a team meeting to discuss the issue Saturday, the Angels continued in the path of clubs such as the Chicago White Sox in withholding their standard clubhouse payments in protest of the Mariners’ newly established team-controlled fund. Instead, the players dropped their checks and cash off in one envelope, and will give the money to Seattle visiting clubhouse attendant Jeff Bopp at a later time. … Left fielder Daniel Nava, designated for assignment late last month, reported to triple-A Salt Lake. His first start came at first base Sunday.

pedro.moura@latimes.com

Twitter: @pedromoura