--C Kenji Johjima had been losing playing time in recent weeks thanks to a long slump to start the season. But he's put together three consecutive multiple-hit games, including a 3-for-5 night Monday to get his average back up to .227, and that's likely to earn him back some of the playing time he lost. His big hit Monday was a three-run homer in the ninth that tied the game with Texas at 12-all, but the Mariners lost in 10.
--LHP Erik Bedard had only give up seven earned runs in five starts this year before getting knocked out in the third inning after allowing six earned runs. Bedard had just six walks allowed and a 1.31 ERA in three starts after coming off the disabled list, but he walked four Rangers in addition to allowing seven hits.
--1B Jose Vidro was back in the starting lineup after having played in just one of seven games on the just-completed home stand because of lower back pain. With a cortisone shot helping him out, Vidro was able to play all 10 innings, going 1-for-6.
--2B Jose Lopez has seven hits and a sacrifice fly in three games since moving to the No. 5 spot in the batting order. He has 13 multiple-hit games, tied for second in the American League, and his next hit will be his 50th of the season. He didn't get his 50th hit last year until June 3.
--C Jamie Burke had caught LHP Erik Bedard in three consecutive starts, but Burke was on the bench Monday when Bedard's catcher was C Kenji Johjima.
--LF Raul Ibanez went from April 12-May 10 without a homer before going deep against Chicago on Sunday. He came back with another home Monday against the Rangers and also had an RBI double in the ninth inning that helped the Mariners force extra innings with Texas.
--RF Wladimir Balentien hit his fourth homer since being recalled April 30. Of those, three have come with men on base, two three-run homers and Monday's two-run shot in the eighth inning.
BY THE NUMBERS 27 -- The number of times CF Ichiro Suzuki has had a hitting streak of 10 or more games in his career. He comes into Monday with an 11-game streak, currently the longest in the AL.
QUOTE TO NOTE "We've got to do this ourselves. No one's going to do it for us." -- Manager John McLaren on the Mariners' need to dig themselves out of last place in the American League West.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Just another reminder that Dave Niehaus gets inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. A well deserved honor going to a great Mariner fan. "My, oh, my" what a great day for him and for all baseball fans in the Northwest.
Does there ever come a time as a fan where you know that you are hoplessly out of it? And you just stop really routing for your team to win? In this case the Mariners. You want them to do good. However, you know deep down inside that it might be in the teams best interest to lose. Now I'm not saying rout against them, or anything like that
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