Another Night To Forget

Hump Day wasn't any fun for the Mariner organization, as no team under the Seattle umbrella was able to pick up a win.

Just when we thought the Mariners had finally hit rock bottom, they find a way to dig an even deeper hole. John McLaren had the good sense to get himself tossed in the second inning so he didn't have to witness yet another anemic offensive performance. Two singles and four walks are all the M's could muster against the worst-pitching team in the AL. The M's got a runner to second base just once all night. It was another wasted solid performance for Erik Bedard, who has allowed just three runs over 14 innings in his last two starts --- both Mariner losses.

The Mariners now have the worst record in the American League. We've seen teams rebound from worse predicaments than this, and we're still not even at the quarter mark of the season, but there is certainly a sense of desperation surrounding the team. The M's can salvage a split with the Rangers tonight when Felix Hernandez takes the mound.

The P-I's Gary Washburn writes about Miguel Cairo's role on the team and his last-minute replacement of Richie Sexson last night.

Jon Naito of the P-I says you should bring your Nintendo DS to the game and enjoy the in-park features, since the on-field "entertainment" leaves much to be desired these days.

Finally, the Times' Geoff Baker points out, among other things, that the Mariners have won just eight of the 15 games in which their starter has gone at least seven innings.

Around the Minors

In Des Moines, Tacoma's (17-15, 8.0 GB in PCL North) three-game winning streak came to an end with a 4-3 loss to Iowa. The Rainiers got Jeremy Reed to third base with two out in the ninth, but couldn't push home the tying run. Tacoma left 11 men on base and struggled with runners in scoring position (sound familiar?). R.A. Dickey came up one out short of a complete game, throwing 117 pitches in 7 2/3 innings. He took the loss, which drops him to 1-4. Jeremy Reed was back in center field after a one-game move to right. The News-Tribune's Mike Curto has more.

West Tenn (22-11, 1.0 GB in SOU North) saw its six-game winning streak snapped with a 7-5 loss to Mississippi in the third game of a five-game set. The Jaxx had leads of 3-0, 4-1, and 5-3, but could not hold on, spoiling Denny Stark's first start of the season. Marwin Vega, Jason Mackintosh, and Brodie Downs combined to give up six earned runs in the last four innings. Prentice Redman and Johan Limonta homered for the Jaxx, who were held to eight hits. Marshall Hubbard collected his team-leading 28th RBI.

Making it a clean sweep of misery for the night, High Desert (15-18, 2.0 GB in CAL South) dropped a second straight 6-4 decision to Lancaster. This time, the Mavs had a 4-2 eighth inning lead but watched the JetHawks push across four runs in the bottom half of the frame. Michael Wagner, who had allowed just one earned run in his last 13 1/3 innings, allowed three of the four eighth-inning runs and took the loss. The Mavs loaded the bases with one out in the top of the ninth, but Travis Scott and Gregory Halman struck out to end the game. Scott was ejected for arguing his strikeout. Carlos Peguero had three hits, and Halman hit his team-leading sixth home run. The Victorville Daily Press has the ugly details.

Perhaps mercifully, Wisconsin had the night off. The Rattlers kick off an 11-game homestand tonight when Cedar Rapids comes to town. Donald Hume takes his 1.85 ERA to the mound in tonight's game.