On paper, this isn’t a game a Seattle Mariners fan wants to think about too much – a match between a staggering offense and the reigning Cy Young Award winner, Kansas City’s Zack Greinke.

The Mariners, however, have done their research.

“Twenty-three of the last 27 hits he’s allowed came in his first three pitches to a batter,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “So we want to make him work, but if we get a pitch early in the count, we’re going to be aggressive.

“When Greinke has been hurt, it’s been early in the count.  We want to try to …

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Weeks after his teammates began the 2010 season, Cliff Lee is experiencing something he hasn’t had since 2009 – a normal week.

Cleared to start for the Seattle Mariners on Friday, Lee rejoined the team yesterday, played catch and did his weightroom work,  just as he would the day after any start last season.

Today, Lee threw a 52-pitch bullpen session, then ran ‘poles’ – going from one foul pole to the other. Again, that’s what his second day after a start would normally be like.

“I’m in a normal routine, and it seems like it’s been a long time …

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Carlos Peguero is getting into a groove to start his first season at the Double-A level. After belting 31 homers and 98 RBI in the California League last year, Peguero has continued to hit against Southern League pitchers, recently earning Southern League player of the week honors, after hitting .333 (13-for-27) with a double, three home runs, five runs scored and six RBI. He posted an OBP of .407 and a slugging percentage of .750.

Last night for West Tenn, young lefty Mauricio Robles had another outstanding outing, p itching six shutout innings, allowing just one hit, while striking …

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Chicago was a nightmare – three losses, all coming in the White Sox final at-bat – and Felix Hernandez will try to stop the losing right there.

Yes, Milton Bradley and Jack Wilson are back Yes, Ken Griffey Jr. is the designated hitter and batting fifth. Yes, winning is going to be a challenge.

• With one out and Scott Podsednik at first base, Felix fielded a come-backer and turned to start a double play and found both shortstop Wilson and second base Chone Figgins near the bag. Felix missed both of them, an error that sent Podsednik to third

…

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That dark rain cloud continues to follow Seattle, having descended in Chicao and now seeking them out in Kansas City – where Mariners batting practice was just cut short by a steady drizzle.

When – or if – they get the tarp off the infield, Milton Bradley and Jack Wilson will make their return to the starting lineup, and their bats have been missed.

How much? The entire roster has 66 RBI, and Bradley has 10 of those – despite missing four games – and Wilson has six.

They’re back, and just in time to help  Felix Hernandez, who is …

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An exciting day at Cheney Stadium as Cliff Lee became the first Cy Young winner to pitch at Cheney Stadium after winning the award since Fernando Valenzeula pitched for Edmonton in 1991. It was a packed house that got to see Lee dominate Salt Lake hitters.

AAA Tacoma Rainiers (PCL)

Salt Lake 4, at Tacoma 1

• Salt Lake 4 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors
• Tacoma 1 run, 6 hits, 0 errors
• BOX SCORE

Pitching Lines:

• LH Cliff Lee 6.0,3,0,0,0,4
• RH Mike Koplove (L, 0-1) 0.2,3,4,4,2,0
• RH Steve Palazzolo 0.2,2,0,0,0,0
• RH Steven Shell 0.2,0,0,0,0,0
• RH Chad Cordero 1.0,1,0,0,0,1

With the Bats:

• SS Josh Wilson 1×4
• DH Tommy Everigde 1×4
• RF Ryan Langerhans 1×4, R
• 2B Ramon Vazquez 1×4
• C Josh Bard 1×3, RBI
• CF Ezequiel Carrera 1×2, BB

Of Note: Cliff Lee made an injury rehab start, but Salt Lake’s Trevor Bell matched him and Salt Lake jumped on the bullpen for a 4-1 win on Sunday afternoon. Lee allowed only 3 hits in 6.0 scoreless innings, while walking none and striking out 4. He tossed 68 pitches, 48 strikes. Josh Wilson has his safely in 12 of his last 13 games, batting .392 (20×51) with 5 runs scored, 8 doubles and 8 RBI. Josh Bard currently has a 5-game hit streak, batting .278 (5×18) with 1 run scored, 1 home run and 6 RBI.

Today’s probable starter: RH David Pauley (0-2, 4.00) vs. Salt Lake

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Put on those general manager deep-thinking hats and take care of this Seattle Mariners problem with the designated hitter, shall we?

Ken Griffey Jr. is batting .217, Mike Sweeney .111 and the DH overall has batted .171 in  the team’s first 19 games , with no home runs and six RBI. That’s an issue.

GM Jack Zduriencik and manager Don Wakamatsu know all about it, and have talked almost daily about it – but seeing it and resolving it are different propositions. Griffey would be willing to step aside and sit on the bench if a better hitter was on …

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In front of a packed house at Cheney Stadium, former Cy Young winner Cliff Lee made his final step in returning from a strained abdominal and making his much anticipated debut for the Seattle Mariners on April 30th against the Texas Rangers.

“That’s reality,” he said. “It’s time for me to prepare for the Rangers. Friday is going to be here before I know it.”

Lee pitching in a rehab start for the Tacoma Rainiers, pitched six scoreless innings allowing – just three hits – while striking out four and walking none. Of the three hits – one was …

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