What’s up strangers? That’s right I’m back for the final game of the homestand. Sorry for the absence, but I’ve been busy with WSU and Pac-10 football this week.

Let’s get to it really quickly …

Pretty quiet pregame session with Jim Riggleman. Not much to report about. He talked about the dangers of maple bats, a little more about replay, Yuni batting second again today, and that’s about it. Nothing earth shattering. He didn’t endorse a presidential candidate or anything like that.

He did address the reason why JJ Putz come in for the save

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Yes, he does …

Ryan Rowland-Smith is making the sixth start of his big-league career, and he’s 0-1 with a 4.78 ERA in the rotation.

That’s misleading. He’s had a couple of tough starts and two fine starts, including his last, when he pitched seven innings and allowed one run – and lost.

He’s also the only player in Major League history with a hypenated last name.

Now you know …

Old Friends? Not …

Minnesota starter Scott Baker has seen quite enough of Jeff Clement.

The first time they saw one

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The Mariners are about to have their annual team photo taken at the edge of the Safeco Field infield, and not all of them will be smiling inside.

Some, obviously, won’t be back next year – players like Raul Ibanez, Willie Bloomquist, Jamie Burke, Miguel Cairo and R.A. Dickey will be free agents.

Not all will return. Not all will want to.

Then there are those who didn’t make it through the season to get in the photo, players like Brad Wilkerson, Richie Sexson, Arthur Rhodes, Jose Vidro.

Who is most likely to go from here

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Yes, Miguel Batista is back in the starting rotation, at least for tonight, and no one who knows is saying why – and those who don’t know can’t figure it out.

It could be a showcase for the Twins or somone else, but that seems unlikley. Batista has not pitched well consistently in any role this season.

It may simply be a case of why not Batista?

R.A. Dickey didn’t seize a spot in the rotation when he had the opportunity, Brandon Morrow isn’t quite ready for his big-league starting debut, Carlos Silva is still down.

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Mark Lowe was optioned to Triple A Tacoma today and replaced on the roster by reliever Randy Messneger. One of the main reasons is that Lowe will be unavailable for the next few days after taking a line drive off the foot from Frank Thomas. The Mariners needed an arm in the bullpen. Still, Lowe has been a little off as of late.

This month he has allowed 14 earned runs on 20 hits in his last nine games (8.2 IP) to raise his ERA from 4.08 on July 30 to

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When the Mariners lock up with the Minnesota Twins the next three games, they’re almost certain to run into an old friend – Eddie Guardado.

The left-handed reliever who once closed for the Mariners was acquired from the Texas Rangers today for the Twins stretch run.

It cost the Twins 21-year-old right-hander Mark Hamburger, a Class A closer.

For those with short memories, J.J. Putz credits Guardado for teaching him how to handle the role of closer – and for refining Putz’s propensity for the practical joke.

Putz showed Guardado how well he’d learned by a)

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A year ago, Felix Hernandez won his 10th in the teams 131st game, and Miguel Batista already had 13 wins.

Felix will look for a team-leading No. 8 today, and tomorrow Batista – 4-12 – will make his 20th start.

Why?

One theory is the Twins have interest in Batista, having seen him pitch in Minnesota last week. Perhaps a deal could be made before post-season rosters are set Sept. 1.

Another theory is that, until Brandon Morrow arrives, there’s not much to choose from between Batista and knuckle ball specialist R.A. Dickey.

Meanwhile, Jack

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OK, I’m back from Pullman, but Doug Pacey has the game tonight and Larry will be up tomorrow.

Here’s some notes from him …

Seattle Mariners reliever Sean Green was given a break at the beginning of August.

One of the American League leaders in appearances, the Mariners wanted to let right-hander rest his arm. Green didn’t pitch for five days.

Turns out, the well-earned time off was the wrong decision.

"With all the right intentions, we sat him longer than we should have," Seattle manager Jim Riggleman said. "And it just seems

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