Unsurprisingly, the marienrs ended their 11 game-losing streak against a team outside of the American League West, a divison they've lost twenty straight against. Surprisngly, it was against the Yankees, ateam that just swept a five-game series versus their arch-rival Boston Red Sox in commanding fashion.

Beltre capped his first multiple home-run game of the season in a dramatic manner, belting the game-winning home-run leading off the ninth inning. ording to the AP reports, this home-run came moments after shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt pleaded with Beltre to "end this thing." His first home-run came in the first, after a one-out walk to Chris Snelling who is now sporting a .571 on-basep ercentage in his five games so far.

Prior to the game, over at USS Mariner they stated that this line-up was the best line-up the M's have put up all year. Regardless of what the outcome of the game turned out to have been, I'd be inclined to agree. The top 4 of Ichrio (in center!)- on-basem achine Snelling- Beltre- Sexson may prove to be the most productive top foursome the Mariners have seen since the days of Griffey & Edgar. Last night, these four went 5-for-15 with 5 runs, 5 RBIs, and three home-runs. Mariners games could start being fun again if this top of the line-up remians the same for the rest of the year. It might also blow holes in the "Mike Hargrove" is an idiot theory.

On the minus side, having Ichrio play center means Adam Jones had to be sent down to play the remaidner of the season, but AAA is where I argued Jones needed to psend this season in the first place. It does raise questions for next year- presumably, Jones will beready for full-time major league duties and where does that leave Jeremy Reed? And what position would Snelling play next year if Ichiro reverts back to right?

But on the plus side, the days of seeing Wille Bloomquist making gritty plays in center are over, at least for this season. And that's a good thing.

Last night saw the season debut of Cha Seung Baek, who made his first appearance in the Mariners' rotation since 2004. The Korean stand-out had a solid, if not spectacular start as he made his bid in the open try-outs for Jamie Moyer's one-time spot in the rotation. In five innings, Baek allowed six base-runners- three hits and three walks, including a three-run home-run to Bobby Abreu (who's attemtping to make a case for AL MVP a la Shannon Stewart in 2003 with a .388 average and 1.048 OPS in 22 games for the Yankees so far)- but Baek still struck out six. It was the Mariners' turn to take advantage of a young pitcher, jumping on Jeff Karstens in his major-league debut for eight base-runners and two home-runs in 5.2 innings in Karsten's debut. Usually, the Mariners struggle agaisnt pitchers they see for the first time (see Rheinecker, John) but that was not the case last night.

Tonight the M's play the middle game of the three-game match-up versus the Yankees, and could it might be possible for them to string together a little winning streak? The Yankees' Taiwanese 14-game winner Chien-Ming Wang takes the mound for New York, and Wang has won all three career starts versus the Mariners, with a 3.48 and has yet to allow a home-run in 20.2 innings against Seattle. Beltre has two hits in 11 career at-bats versus Wang, with Ichiro having three hits in the same number of at-bats. The only current Mariner with an average against Wang above .300 is Ben Broussard, with a .333 average in nine at-bats.

At first glance, it appears the Mariners may have their work cut out for them, but Wang has allowed 12 earned runs over his last 16.1 innings in his past three starts for a 6.61 ERA. Wang has been very hittable lately as well, allowing 27 hits, 8 walks, and three home-runs over that span as well. Given his success versus the Mariners, however, it may just take a start against Seattle to right Wang's ship.

Felix Hernandez, looking to even his record to .500 at 11-11, takes the hill for the Mariners. Felix has lost his only career start versus the Yankees, despite giving up jsut two earned runs in eight innings and striking out seven. Robinson Cano is the only Yankee in the current line-up to have both mulitple hits (two in three at-bats) and a home-run off Felix. (Gary Sheffield has the other.)

I'd be surprised if tonight's game had a similar amount of offensive explosion as last night's game. If both Wang and Felix bring the best of their games, it could be a tight-knit, low-scoring affair. Being said, I do believe the Yankees will come on top, perhaps on a score of 3-1. But who knows, perhaps surprises might be the name of the game in this Seattle-New York series.