Let's talk about what's going on with the Rainiers.

1. Fruto is For-Real-O – Anyone at Friday's game will tell you how good Emiliano Fruto looked. His fastball was buzzing. In three innings, he struck out six to earn his sixth save of the year.
Pitching coach Dwight Bernard, who had Fruto last year at Double-A San Antonio, said the 23-year-old with the big arm has made big strides. He's developing into a reliever who can be dominating, which is good news for Mariners fans.

2. Jiminez shows promise – Lefty Cesar Jiminez won his first game of the year with a solid outing (six innings, two runs). Jiminez is not a blow-em-away type guy, but his fastball has decent life. He's a young guy who's still learning, manager Dave Brundage said.

3. Jones bottoming out of slump? – Adam Jones' average was down to .241 before he ripped a bases-loaded triple against Colorado Springs on Friday. He also drew a walk in the game and stole a base. There are going to be some rough moments but it's all part of the process for a 20-year-old playing Triple-A and adjusting to playing center field. No one associated with the Mariners seems at all concerned with his progress. There was some talk that he, not Mike Morse, could have been called up last week but Morse's versatility and hot streak prevailed.