That's 13 'u's- one for each total base in yesterday's game for Raul Ibanez. To say that he was indeed a 'pick that clicked' yesterday could be perhpas one of the understatements of the year for the Mariners. All Ibanez did was go 4-for-5, doubling his season total in home runs by smacking two two-run bombs, to go along with a triple, and willed the team to victory by knocking Willie Bloomquist in on the game-winning double in the top of the ninth. (I knew Willie would be involved somehow if the Mariners won!)

After a strong first few innings, Cha Seung Baek faltered on the mound once again, allowing five runs in 5.1 innings to a Cleveland office who after looking so tough and dominating earlier in the season, came off a 12-inning 1-0 shuout to the Cinncinatti Reds on Sunday night. It's becoming pretty obvious that Baek is a five-inning starter at best, which creates a drain upon the efforts of the Mariners bullpen and Hargrove's management of them. How is he to conserve them wisely or abstain from using them in pressure-packed situations in the preceeding four games if he knows he's going to need at least three innings from his relievers' arms on the games that Baek starts? Only twice this season in ten starts has Baek pitched at least seven innings. If Jeff Weaver is back as he appeared to be in his last start, then Ryan Feierabend, who pitched adequately as Weaver's replacement, should maintain in the rotation and push Baek to the bullpen. It's time to point out the obvious: Baek is not a major-league quality starter.

Off the Mariners go to Chciago where they will get a three-game taste of afternoon games and ivy at the Cubs' Wrigley Field. Considering the horrid implosion thatt he Cubs have been so far this season, I see the M's taking two of three easy as their march to the playoffs continues...