Mariners end May two games over .500
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The Seattle Mariners are looking like a team that is starting to find some cohesion, both in the pitching staff and at the plate.
On the last day of May, Justin Smoak(notes) delivered a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Mariners rallied to beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 at Safeco Field.
Eric Bedard had another solid start, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out seven O's in 6 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, Bedard didn't get any run support and Chris Ray(notes) picked up the win in relief after Smoak's bomb. Brandon League(notes) converted his 15th save for the M's.
It is really hard not to get just a little bit excited about this team so far. Granted, it is only the end of May. In addition, the Mariners are only two games over .500, which is hardly the sign of a dominating season. However, this team has been so dreadful the last few years that it is exciting to see some positive momentum.
The Mariners have now won 11 of their last 13 games. Unfortunately, Seattle had an absolutely dreadful crowd at this game of less than 12,000 fans. Hopefully, the Emerald City will start coming out and supporting a team that appears to be on the rise.
According to reports, Chone Figgins(notes) is being given a few days off. I'm not really sure what is going on with the struggling third baseman, but I really hope he isn't following in the footsteps of underachieving Mariner free agents like Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre(notes). What happened to this guy anyway?
Seattle is only a 1/2-game back of the first-place Texas Rangers. It is interesting to note that as a team, the Mariners have still scored fewer runs than they have given up. Few winning teams have a negative differential between runs scored and runs allowed. Therefore, fans will have to be careful that they do not get too excited about this team unless the offense continues to show some decent productivity.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-8569623