In what has become one of the worst seasons in franchise h istory, there’s been one remarkable performance through the year – the pitching of Felix Hernandez every fifth day.

Now 10-10 with a 2.47 earned run average, Felix has compiled one of the more stunning stats in baseball – in his 10 wins, he has a 0.87 ERA. In his 10 losses, that ERA is 3.55 – but in those 10 games the Mariners averaged one run.

Proof enough that pitching can’t win with offense.

The Mariners have Ichiro, Chone Figgins and Franklin Gutierrez in the top third of their …

Read more »

The Colorado Rockies have interest in Jose Lopez, or so the rumor mill has it today, and it’s hard to imagine Seattle Mariners fans not opening the door to see Mr. Lopez out at this point.

Undoubtedly the worst cleanup hitter in baseball this year – not his fault entirely, since he shouldn’t be the cleanup hitter – Lopez would not bring anything of value in return. Should he be dealt, however, his absence would open the Mariners infield up to change.

Matt Tuiasosopo to third base for September? Probably – moving Chone Figgins at this point in the season …

Read more »

Back in March, this series seemed like a lot more fun that it appears to be now, when it comes down to two out-of-the-running teams whose offense seems to have ended 2010 prematurely.

The Los Angeles Angels are five games under .500,  just traded away closer Brian Fuentes and haven’t scored a run since Friday night. The Seattle Mariners are 28 games below .500, have scored twice since Friday and wouldn’t mind trading a half dozen players today- but no one else wants them.

Thirteen-game winner Ervin Santana brings a 4.13 earned run average into the game, while David Pauley, who …

Read more »

On Wednesday, big-league rosters can expand – and will, for teams looking to reinforce their September run for the post-season.

Obviously, the Seattle Mariners aren’t one of those teams.

The Mariners may not bring anyone up, immediately, choosing instead to let the members of the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers enjoy what looks like a post-season berth. The theory is simple: Players would benefit more from playing games that matter in the Pacific Coast League playoffs than by sitting on the bench at Safeco Field.

Hard to argue.

Eventually, however, players will be joining the Mariners. Figure first baseman Justin Smoak …

Read more »

A lineuup is posted and outfielder Michael Saunders is in it for the first time in a week, but he has yet taken batting practice, so that could change.

Other than Saunders, Daren Brown’s lineup against the Los Angeles Angels is a familiar one. Bad as it’s been, it’s currently doing far better than that of the Angels – a team that has a 26 consecutive scoreless innings streak going.

Yikes!

So this should be yet another low-scoring affair, Ervin Santana vs. David Pauley. Here’s the lineup:

• Ichiro Suzuki, RF
• Chone Figgins, 2B
• Russell Branyan, DH
• Jose Lopez, 3B

…

Read more »

After being two-hit yesterday by Nick Blackburn, the Mariners actually face one of Minnesota’s better pitchers in 15-game winner Carl Pavano.

That could mean trouble for an offense that seems unable to produce many threats, let alone runs. So Luke French has to start the day thinking ‘no runs’ while facing a Twins team that’s hitting .279.

OK, then.

Someone has to produce, whether it’s Ichiro, Russell Branyan or Matt Tuiasosopo. Like virtually every Seattle starting pitcher, French should have a better record than his 2-4. Without runs, however, the Mariners can’t out-pitch anyone.

• French has given his teammates

…

Read more »

In other words, the Seattle Mariners would like to win one game of this three-game series with Minnesota, and avoid being swept for the first time under interim-manager Daren Brown.

Yes, it’s a rather pathetic thing to hope for, but there you are.

Under Brown, the Mariners are now 8-9. Far more telling, the Mariners rotation – the guys who have pitched so well all season – are 36-54 this year. Anyone wondering why, look at Doug Fister’s game yesterday – seven innings, one run, a loss.

The lineup looks like most of Brown’s and, in truth, most of his …

Read more »

Doug Fister tries to snap a stretch in which the Seattle Mariners have lost five of six games, and behind him Daren Brown has put together what passes for the regular lineup.

Ryan Langehans and Josh Bard are filling in at left field and catcher, but other than that, this group is the best the Mariners can throw at Minnesota’s Nick Blackburn.

Ichiro will lead it off of course, and has a 10-game hitting streak in progress – the36th hitting streak of 10 games or more in his career. As for the Twins, they just win games no matter who …

Read more »