At one point in yesterday's game, Raul Ibanez hit a bases-clearing double to put the Mariners up 4-3. It was only the second hit that the for the M's at that point in the game. Very rarely do you manage to beat a team out-hitting you by five times as many hits, as the Cubs had racked up ten hits against Mariners starter Jeff Weaver. And that lead proved to be tenuous, as the Cubs bunched two walks, a sacrifice, and a double off of Brandon Morrow to win the game 5-4.

Brandon Morrow picked up his first loss of the season, dropping his record to 3-1. Unfortunately, the blown save also cost Jeff Weaver his first shot at a victory this year. Despite the ten hits, which Weaver scattered effectively, Weaver walked just one batter and even, while batting, sacrificed his body to be hit by a pitch from Jason marquis. By limiting the Cubs to three runs in six innings, Weaver managed to lower his ERA from a run-and-a-half, from a 12+ ERA to 10.97. He has now allowed just four runs over ten innings in his last two starts- both against National League teams. When one considers the success Weaver had after being picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals in the middle of last season, one must wonder if Weaver just isn't a more effective pitcher against the weaker National League line-ups. And if so, perhaps the Mariners can continue to trot him out and establish some cache as trading bait for a National League club looking for an extra push to separate themselves from division opponents and push their way into the playoffs. Such as seeing Weaver don the Dodger Blue once again- or perhaps Pat Gillick may swing a deal a la Jaimie Moyer and have Weaver end up with the Phillies? He's only signed to a one-year deal, and that's got to be attractive to any National League team if they're discussing Weaver to help with a late-season push.

As established, Adrian Beltre didn't play in the game, and will probably miss the series in Houston. His replacement, Willie Bloomquist, went 0-for-4. Having Adrian's bat in the line-up probably wouldn't have mattered much as the Mariners only picked up three hits on the afternoon.

Felix Hernandez takes the mound against the Astros in this evening's ballgame. Felix has been scuffling his last fews tarts, allowing a 7.13 ERA with 14 earned runs given up over 17.2 innings. All though Felix has never faced the Houston Astros before, he has a less-than-stellar 5.55 ERA against the national League in his career, but his ERA is slightly lower on the road (4.10) than at home this year (4.76). Working in his favor is that the only batter in the Astros' line-up to have faced Felix is Carlos Lee, from at-bats gained during his short stint with Texas last season. Lee picked up four hits- one double- in eleven at-bats for a .273 average.

However, Wandy Rodriguez is also making his first appearance in his career against the Mariners. Although Rodriguez has kept Jose Guillen hitless in six at-bats, Jose Vidro is licking his chops to face Wandy, having picked up six hits- including one home-run- in eleven at-bats for a .545 average. Vidro is my 'pick to click' for the Marienrs in today's game. If he does well, so will the Mariners' chances, and vice-versa. making things tough for the M's is Wandy's sterling 2.75 ERA in hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park, being able to limit the offensive antics for opposing teams at his home field.

Still, I think the Mariners will regroup from the tough Cub series and rally to win in today's ballgame. Felix is due for a strong start, and will come out on top in a pitchers' duel. Jose Vidro should lead the Mariners with a multi-hit game, and the final score will be along the lines of 5-2.