Mariner Farm Report

Recently acquired first baseman Craig Wilson has had a hot start in Tacoma homering in back-to-back games.  Makes me wonder if he will last down in Tacoma much longer with the Mariners Jose Vidro/Miguel Cairo rotation at 1st.  Wilson has batted .500 in three games going 7-for-14 with two homers and three RBI along with four runs scored.

Word is that Wladimir Balentien has been playing a surprisingly decent Center Field for the Rainiers.  He is still hitting for a low average (.234), but has managed four home-runs and eleven RBI’s over his last ten games.

Check out this stat line on Mariners second round draft pick Dennis Raben; playing outfield for Class-A Everett.  In ten games Raben is batting .429 (15-for-35) with one homer and eight RBI. Raben has added eight doubles and shows a great eye at the plate with nine walks.  He appears to be on the fast track so far; but it is class-A and it has only been ten games.  But in a horrible Mariners season so far its OK to get excited.

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Royals 3, Mariners 1

Felix Hernandez finally made his return back to the Mariner rotation on Friday night against the Kansas City Royals.  Hernandez retired the first ten batters he faced, throwing five innings striking out eight.  The Royals got to Felix in the 5th for their only runs of the ballgame.  Joey Gathright scored Ross Gload on an RBI single to start off the scoring.  David DeJesus picked up a two run double in the 5th to give the Royals all the offsense they would need for the night.

The return of King Felix was overshadowed by a lights out performance by Royals starter Luke Hochevar.  Hochevar called it his best performance of his career.  Hochevar threw seven innings, recording zero walks, and striking out four.

Some Mariner notes

- Cesar Jimenez bounced back nicely from yesterdays loss and pitched two scoreless innings in relief striking out two batters.

- Adrian Beltre keeps raking going 2-for-4 with his 15th double of the season.  He scored the lone Mariner run.

- Ichiro Suzuki went 0-for-4 ending a 26-game hit streak against the Royals.  It marked the first game Ichiro didn’t record a hit against the Kansas City in his career.

- Jared Wells was sent back to Tacoma with the return of Felix Hernandez from the 15 day DL.

- The M’s aquired 1B/OF Craig Wilson from the Pirates for a player to be named later.  Wilson has played this season in the Minors.  He will be assigned to Triple A Tacoma.

Game two of the series on Saturday will feature former Mariner Gil Meche on the bump against the recently hot Jarrod Washburn.  Tug Hulett is expected to play in his first career major league game as he will DH for the M’s.

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The Seattle Mariners have traded for 1B/OF Craig Wilson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later.  Wilson has spent this season playing First Base for Triple-A Indianapolis.  Wilson will be assgined to Triple-A Tacoma.

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