After 32 days removed from the starting rotation- and 16.1 innings and a 3.86 ERA since- Joel Pinero was re-inserted in the Mariners' starting rotation in today's ballgame versus the lowly Kansas City Royals. Unfortunately, the results for Joel's first start in a motnh were sadly expected: seven runs allowed on seven hits in four innings to increase his over-all season to 6.27. Whatever case Pinero attempted to make to preserve hisspot in the rotation was rendered moot. And Mike Hargove's pronouncement that Joel shall remain in the starting rotation for the rest of the season should send shudders down the spines of every Mariner fan who are still following, sadly, this train-wreck of a season.

It's hard to say if the seven-run effort by the Royals- who have now tallied up 25 runs in the first three games of this series- are due more to the more lively bats of these new-look Royals or simply are a cause of Pinero taking the mound. Granted, the bat of Ryan Shealy was able to be kept silenced in today's ball-game as he went hitless in two at-bats (plus a walk and a hit-by-pitch by Pinero) but when you consider that Pinero allowed Joey Gathright's first career home-run- a two-run shot in the third inning- there's hardly any room or reason to celebrate. I can understand nine RBIs in two-games from a top prospect who was Todd Helton's heair apparent at one point, but allowing a two-run home-run to a slap-happy outfielder who entered the game batting .229? That's inexcusable.

The Royals were very effective in making the most of their opportunities. Their seven runs were knocked in on eight hits, and only four runners were left on base by Royals batters. The Mariners may have been able to out-hit the Royals 10-8, but the bats were stymied by a very effective starting performance from Mark Redman- who I still think would be a smart free-agent signing for the M's as he would be a cheap option to nail down the #4 spot in the rotation. Redman limited the M's to eight singles through eight innings, before Mike Morse and Ichiro Suzuki had RBI doubles in the eighth. Otherwise, the M's were able to get nothing going against Redman. who came one out away from throwing his third complete game of the season before reliever Joe Nelson came in and struck out Adrian Beltre on three strikes, thus picking up his eighth save of the season.

Perhaps the only positive outcome of Pinero's expected lousy start was that the M's were able to get a long look at rookie left-hander Ryan Feierabend, who after tossing two innings of hitless relief in last week's 10-0 blowout loss at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays, tossed four innings of one-hit scoreless relief in today's ballgame. That means, so far over his young career- so small sample size warning should be in effect- that Feierabend has tossed six innings of one-hit scoreless ball. Shades of Mark Lowe...

The other highlights for today's ballgame was all Ichiro, as he reached the 200 plateau for the sixth time in his career, extending his major-league record of most 200-hit seasons to begin a career with. Ichiro also set an American league record by stealing his 33rd consecutive base, breaking the record set by the Royals' Willie Wilson. Years spent in the Japanese league be damned, their should be no argument of whether or not Ichiro belongs in the Hall of Fame. He most obviously does.

Beltre went 1-for-4 in today's ball-game, dropping his record to .262. It was quite a let-down from the ball-game the day before, when Beltre went 3-for-4 for the second game in a row with 5 RBIs as he came a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Beltre's heroics yesterday helped the Mariners over-come an early 6-0 deficit as they clawed and fought their way back to eventually win 12-8.

The Royals jumped to their early lead yesterday when Ryan Shealy hit a grand-slam in the first inning off of Francisco Cruceta, who showed that he belonged in the starting rotation just as much as Joel Pinero does. Only the Royals would be able to hit a grand-slam in the first inning and not win a ball-game, though I recall that did happen to the A's in the 1988 World Series, so I guess I can't say that such a series of events would "only" happen to the Royals...

Gil Meche attempts to even out the four game series tomorrow for the Mariners. Meche hasn't allowed more than five hits or two runs in any of his last four starts, so chances look good that he might be able to win his second decision in a row after going nearly two months between wins #9 and #10. In his only start versus the Royals this season, he limited Kansas City to one run in seven innings last June. That win evened Meche's career record versus Kansas City to 3-3 with a 4.66 ERA, which includes one of Meche's two career shut-outs. The Royals batters that meche needs to be wary of are centerfielder David DeJesus, who of his four hits in eight career at-bats versus Meche three have gone for extra bases for an 1.806 OPS. Angel Berroa has also hit will against Meche- five hits in 14 at-bats for a .357 average. Obviously Meche has yet to face Shealy yet in his career, but the new Royals' slugger has a drastic split versus right-handers as opposed to lefties (.908 OPS to .701). So there are a few bats in the Royals' line-up that could jump out and sting Meche's offerings.

Going for the Royals is Runelvys Hernandez, who was fairly volatile in his most recent start, a 5-3 victory over the Indians, as he took some swings at catcher John Buck in between innings. It appears that Hernandez has finally over-come the various injuries that have dogged him throughout his career, as he has had a streak of solid outings recently, winning four of his past six decisions which include a 2-0 shut-out of the Toronto Blue Jays. Hernandez may have a losing record against the Mariners, 1-2, but he does hold a career 3.60 ERA versus the Mariners in his career. This will be Hernandez's first start against the Mariners this season, and there are a number of batters in the Mariner line-up who, no doubt, are excited to be facing Hernandez's offerings tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, Hargrove inserts Mike Morse in the line-up again, perhaps starting right-field for the second day in a row over Chris "Doyle" Snelling, as Morse has hit a double and home-run in three career at-bats off Hernandez for a 2.667 OPS. Beltre has a double and a triple in ten career at-bats off Hernandez for a 1.100 OPS, and even Willie Bloomquist has a 1.250 OPS off Hernandez in eight at-bats.

So which starting pitcher will continue his streak of good performances. If I had to pick one, I think I would side with Meche. Still, there's every possibility that both pitchers might be able to dial in outstanding performances. Although 48 runs may have been scored in the first three games, I wouldn't bat an eye if a "pitcher's duel" were to occur before these two post-Tommy John surgery survivors. Still, I do think the Mariners will come on top and split this series: 5-3, M's.