The facts

After getting off to a 10-1 start, the Mariners have now lost five of their last six games with Tuesday’s loss to the Diamondbacks. Seattle had nine hits in the game, but didn’t put too much pressure on Arizona pitching. The Mariners had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on first base and two outs, but Nick Franklin grounded out to end the game.

Play of the game

Brad Miller became the 19^th different Mariner to …

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With a mixture of pride and sheepishness, Brad Miller stuck out his hands for inspection.

“They are gross,” the Mariners shortstop prospect said grinning.

Gross to some people, perhaps, but to others there is a blue-collar beauty in the craggy collection of old calluses, new blisters and the scars left behind on his palms.

They are the hands of a farmer. They are the hands of carpenter. They are the hands of labor and toil. They are a working man’s hands.

But Miller’s mangled mitts didn’t come from slinging shovel or operating heavy equipment.

Nope they came from hours upon …

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Brendan Ryan believes there’s more to him as a shortstop than just defense. Of course, Ryan’s defense is far from ordinary. It’s extraordinarily good, like best in the league-level good. And yet, as good as Ryan is with the glove, it’s difficult for management and fans to overlook or digest an every day player, who is hitting under .200.

Of course, Ryan doesn’t think a .194 batting average is acceptable either. He knows that being a productive major league player means to have some semblance of consistency and contribution level at the plate.

Going into 2013 season, he will try …

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