Carlos Silva needs a win, about the same way Abbott needed Costello, birds need bees and dogs need cats ...

You get the point. Silva really, really needs a win, and the Los Angeles Angels are as good a choice as any. In his career, Silva has gone 6-2 with a 3.67 earned run average against them.

His last victory over an American League team came last April and was against .... these Angels.

Did we mention, Carlos needs a win?

He's worked hard to lose the weight, worked hard with his new coaches to add to his pitches, make them more efective. And he starts the night 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA.

Yes, he needs a win. Pitching well is no longer its own reward - not to a proud man who went 5-14 a year ago.

So suit up, hop aboard. It's Silva vs. true rookie Anthony Ortega, who's about to throw his first big-league pitch.

Russ Branyan: Weekend MVP

Yep, the big first baseman did it again - got Seattle on the board first. This time, a two-out, two-on home run into the right field pavillion.

That's two home runs in two nights since missing a week with a bad back, and four home runs for Branyan this season.

He's hot, and the Mariners are up three.

Bottom one: Mariners 3, Angels 0

This might be trouble

Third inning, and a double, hit batter and single loaded the bases against Silva.

A Maicer Izturis single kept them loaded and pushed home one run and - with Bobby Abreu up and an 0-1 count - manager Don Wakamatsu and trainer Rick Nodine trotted to the mound.

Silva apparently is OK, although none-too-happy. Abreu grounded out, with another run scoring. That brought up cleanup hitter Torii Hunter.
Hunter grounded out. Silva held the lead, if barely.

After three: Mariners 3, Angels 2

The Balentien Bop

Some may have forgotten he's still on the team, but Wladimir Balentien is, indeed - and he started for the Mariners in left field.

Against rookie Ortega, Balentien launched home run No. 1 for the season. It won' be back.
After an error, Yuniesky Betancourt doubled home Rob Johnson.

Silva gets two insurance runs.

In the fourth: Mariners 5, Angels 2

That's not much insurance

Silva gave one run back in a hurry, when the first hitter he faced in the fourth - Kendry Morales - homered to center field.

The second batter, Mike Napoli, walked.
Silva had only thrown 55 pitches at that point, but the bullpoen is stirring.

Before anyone could get loose, Gary Matthews Jr. grounded into a double play.

Just another night at the yard.

After four: Mariners 5, Angels 3.

Junior Lives

Men on first and second, none out, Ken Griffey Jr. up. He's walked and scored tonight, but is also hitting under .200 with only two RBI.

Ok, make it three. Junior picked a fine time to deliver a hit, and Adrian Beltre broke a slump with an RBI single right behind him.

Silva is out, Miguel Batista in.

In the seventh: Mariners 8, Angels 3

Believe in your bullpen

Silva may be plucking a live chicken in the clubhouse, but his bullpen is hanging in there for him.

Batista went two innings, gave up a run. Mark Lowe came in throwing hard sliders, but gave up a pair of runs with two outs and was replaced by Shawn Kelley.

Now Silva and his team are three outs away from a win that would leave Silva 1-2 and the Mariners 12-6.

After eight: Mariners 9, Angels 6

That's a final!

David Aardsma gives up a two-run home run but gets the save. Brandon Morrow (stiff shoulder) wasn't available.
S

ilva left after five - and had back spasms from the third inning on.

Just enough to win.

Final: Mariners 9, Angels 8

Yes, he may have been married to Jessica Simpson - or was it Marge? - and yes, he owns a piece of the Tacoma Rainiers.
The song singer/owner/fan Lachey was singing in Anaheim today was sung for Ken Griffey Jr. and the Mariners, who he dropped might to meet and smooze with.

Lachey was wearing a Tacoma jersey, and Griffey knew him well enough to give him a man hug and pose for photos with the wire services.

That done, the two talked a little music, a little baseball and seemed to enjoy one anothers company.

Lachey was in the park with kids from the Matt Leinart youth group. Junnior, Mike Sweeney and other Mariners signed t-shirts and caps, as did a handful of Angels.