Russell Branyan, the journeyman third baseman signed by Jack Zduriencik and turned into a first baseman by Don Wakamatsu, turned in the best season of his career.

Now, officially, that season is over.

“If I’m not feeling 100 per cent, it doesn’t make sense to try to force it and play again,” Branyan said today. “I’ve swung the bat and my back feels pretty good, but I haven’t taken a ground ball yet. I haven’t really run hard yet.

“I tried to rush it back, but it’s not looking like I can finish the season on the field. If I …

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If there was one where-did-he-come-from young player in spring training this season, it was outfielder Tyson Gilles, who charmed with personality and made the team blink at his talent.

A fast, strong contact hitter with an unusual baseball issue – he’s deaf and must wear hearing aids – Gilles was among the most attentive and coachable youngsters in camp.

Then he went to High Class A and batted .341, scored 104 runs, racked up 242 total bases and stole 44 more. So what’s he going to do now? Head for instructional league to work on base stealing.

Mark Hunter has …

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Ian Snell has won five of his last six decisions and almost killed the Seattle Mariners bullpen doing it.

Snell hasn’t pitched six innings in any of those wins, meaning in most cases three and sometimes four relievers have been required to protect the lead he departed with. That’s asking a lot.

Still, the issue isn’t his stuff and that’s the bright spot. The issue is command and whether Snell can show this team he can go deep into games. In 10 starts as a Mariner, the answer has been no.

With a lefty on the mound for Toronto, the …

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Since 1901, only 12 teams have lost 100 games in a season and played .500 or better the next year – a number that could grow by one tonight if the Seattle Mariners beat Roy Halladay again.

Again? Yes, they beat Halladay in July, 3-2, in a typical Mariners victory. That means they won by a run.

Seattle has won 33 games by that margin, and that’s been a huge factor in why, tonight, they have the chance to win their 81st game of the year and lock up a .500 season.

That’s not the team goal.

“We think we …

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Mariners bullpen catcher Jason Phillips retired this spring as a player at age 32, about the same time his 25-year-old brother Kyle Phillips got his first big-league time with the Blue Jays.

For the first time this season, they got a long weekend together, catching up. Being around other players, of course, meant the reunion became something else.

“I was teasing Vernon Wells last night and he yelled at me in the bullpen – ‘Be on the field tomorrow, 3 p.m.’” Jason said.

Phillips showed up and learned the Blue Jays center fielder and other players had set up …

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Another solid start from Felix Hernandez last night in Toronto that as Larry points out in his game story can only help his Cy Young resume.

UPDATED: Thought I’d mention that Felix is scheduled to start on Tuesday vs. Trevor Cahill of the A’s and on Sunday, Oct. 4 against the Rangers and Scot t Feldman — those could always change, but he’ll have two more starts.

Here’s some facts from Mariners baseball information guru Jeff Evans.

• Overall is 17-5 with a 2.49 ERA (62 ER, 224.1 IP) and 207 strikeouts in 32 starts

…

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Closer David Aardsma hasn’t had a save opportunity in eight days, in part because the Seattle Mariners haven’t been able to get a lead to him.

That could change tonight, since Felix Hernandez is starting, going for his 17th win – and he’s one of the few Seattle pitchers who has shown the ability to get through seven or eight innings.

After the Tampa series, Mark Lowe, Shawn Kelley and Miguel Batista are unavailable tonight, which limits manager Don Wakamatsu’s choice of setup men. He would love not to have to use one.

Felix will also have his catcher of …

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Ichiro Suzuki has 211 hits, Jose Lopez 92 RBI and Michael Saunders is making a rare September start – and each would love to add to his season stats tonight.

What this team wants most, however, is win No. 80, to be followed by 81, 82, 83 …

“Every win means something and every game is the chance to win,” Ichiro said.

Over the final 11 games, there will be plenty of teams around baseball that will look at young talent, start resting players for the post-season or simply play out the string.

Seattle started the season with the goal …

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