Last night was a match-up between future Cy Young Award winners Francisco Liriano and Felix Herandez, reprising their show-down from May 26, in which the Twins bested King Felix 3-1 in the Metrodome. Last night's affair had a happier outcome, as the mariners triumphed 4-2 over the Twins' young Venezuelan leftie. Felix was on top of his game last night- minus the first inning where after getting two quick hits Felix loaded the bases with a single, double, and a walk before escaping unscathed due to a ground-out from Justin Morneau. Other than that, he was methodical, only allowing six hits and two walks and keeping the Twins to scoring just one run in seven innings.

In the seventh inning, Adrian Beltre led off with a deep drive to center. I froze in reaction to Niehaus's call- could it be that I will actually listen live to Beltre hitting a ball out of the park? But it was not to be, as the drive faltered and was caught on the warning track. Unoffically, that must be like Beltre's 20th fly-out to the warning track. If just half of those had gone of the fence, Beltre would be on pace for 30 home-runs, if not 40. Beltre finished the game going 1-for-5, holding his average at .231, where it had fallen to from .236, Beltre's season high after hitting his most recent home-run against the Royals.

Also, theren eeds to be an obligatory rant about Eddie Guardado. Eddie's early season troubles I viewed in a comical manner- obviously "Everyday" Eddie was washed up and could no longer be trusted with a lead in the ninth inning. His implosion led to the revelation that J.J. Putz was a dominat, if not a potential All-Star, closer. But Hargrove's continual usage of Eddie in situations where his pitching will serve as a detriment to them's chances of winning (see May 28, versus the Twins) is absolutely maddening. Last night, Eddie came on in the eighth inning and grooved a 2-0 pitch to lead-off batter Jason Kubel, who deposited it over the center field fence. After giving up a full-count single to Joe Mauer, Mauer's fourth hit of the ball-game, hargrove took Eddie out and replaced him with Julio Mateo. That was it for Eddie: two batters, two hits, one run. five walks, two strikes. Ridiculous.

I'm not saying there isn't a sitution in which we can use Guardado. Like mop-up duty in the late innings of a 10-2 ball-game, for example. But why rely on Eddie in those instances when we have young pitchers such as Travis Blackley or Clint Nageotte who could gain experience in a relatively stress-free situation? It makes no sense to continue to run Eddie out onto the mound. Yes, I know he's earning $6.5 million dollars, but does that necessarily mean you need to spend that money and buy yourself a bunch of losses or bad outings? I think it's about time to buy out Eddie's contract, and designate him for assignment- ASAP.

Tonight the series between the M's and Twins, with a rematch between Jamie Moyer and Boof Bonser. Moyer got rcoked hard at the Metrodome the first time around, giving up 11 hits and 7 earned runs in a 9-5 loss to Bonser and the Twins. Although Jamie has all ready lost two games at the Safe so far this year- unable to match the 10-0 home record he had last year- his home ERA (2.65) is lower than the home ERA he had last year (2.95), and plaes in comparison to his ERA in the road this year (6.20). Adrian Beltre also picked up one hit in two at-bats versus Bonser, so my prediciton for tonight's game is that Moyer will baffle the Twins with his array of off-speed junk and Beltre might even pick up a single as the Mariners win and continue to inch towards respectability.