The Mariners have three starting pitchers in the American League's top 10 earned run averages - Felix Hernandez (2.38), Erik Bedard (2.61) and Jarrod Washburn (2.97).

One of them, Felix, is starting tonight, though he may not be at his best.

Hernandez had flu-like symptoms during the day but wanted to start and, as the team ace, was allowed to.

We'll see how well or how long he can pitch.

He's never been at his best against Texas (4-8, 4.38), but is on a 4-0 roll to start the '09 season.

It's Hernandez vs. Kevin Millwood.

Let's go.

The Night of Zeroes Ends

Into the fourth inning, both starting pitchers were throwing shutouts, but not even Felix has been able to keep pace with Millwood.

The right-hander just gave up his first run in 22 innings, and the Rangers and Millwood don't look to need much more.
Millwood has retired the first nine Mariners he's faced. His history against Seattle, however, often includes a handful of superb innings followed by one disastrous one. The Mariners will need that inning tonight.

Hernandez is throwing well - 95 mph on a handful of fastballs - but here in the fourth the Rangers have two already.

Rangers 2, Mariners 0

Oops!

After the Mariners went down 1-2-3 in the fourth, the Rangers jumped out to a bigger lead - riding Michael Young's two-run home run to a 4-0 advantage.

Considering Seattle hasn't come close to a hit yet, that's problematical.

To bottom fifth: Rangers 4, Mariners 0

Millwood's disastrous inning shows up

History can repeat itself. Perfect through four, Millwood was tagged by Russell Branyan's seventh home run and came unglued.

Jose Lopez singled, Kenji Johjima doubled, Franklin Gutierrez homered - No. 3 - and Ichiro tripled.

After five: Mariners 4, Rangers 4

Oops!, Part II

Flu-like symptoms or just the occasional bad pitch, it's not Felix's night.

No sooner do the Mariners fight back to tie than Hernandez gives up a single to David Murphy and a home run to Chris Davis - who was batting .186 when the pitch was thrown to him.

To the bottom of six: Rangers 6, Mariners 4

Seattle inching back

Singles by Gutierrez and Yuniesky Betancourt put runners at first and third for Ichiro, who grounded into a fielders choice but got one run in.

That's where it stands afrer seven:

Rangers 6, Mariners 5.

It's over

With runners on first and second and two out, after yuniesky betancourt drew a walk, Ichiro went first-pitch hunting and flied out to end it.

Rangers 6, Mariners 5

The Mariners lineup has been posted and Ken Griffey Jr., who didn't play in Sunday's 15-inning game, isn't in it.

And Adrian Beltre, the cleanup hitter most of the season, has been moved down to fifth.

Junior is sidelined by an inflamed colon, and if you have any doubt how that feels, consider this.

"Lay down on the floor, let me kick you in the ribs a few times," Junior said, smiling. "That'll give you an idea how it feels."

Junior is day-to-day.

Here's the lineup for Game No. 26.
Ichiro RF
Endy Chavez LF
Mike Sweeney DH
Russell Branyan 1B
Adrian Beltre 3B
Jose Lopez 2B
Kenji Johjima C
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Felix Hernandez RHP

Here's the daily minor league report from Kelly Munro of the M's. Also you can check out Jay Yencich's weekly report from the USS Mariner.

AAA Tacoma Rainiers (PCL)
Here's Mike Curto's game story from the paper. Luis Munoz got rocked in his Rainiers' debut.
Fresno 11 runs, 17 hits, 0 errors
Tacoma 6 runs, 8 hits, 1 error
Box score
Pitching Lines:
RH Luis Muñoz (L, 0-1) 3.2,10,9,9,2,3,5HR
RH Doug Fister 2.1,2,0,0,0,2
RH Brodie Downs 1.0,2,1,1,0,1,WP
RH Jared Wells 1.0,2,1,1,0,0
RH Jesus Delgado 1.0,1,0,0,0,3
With the Bats:
CF Mike Saunders (right) 3x3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB
RF Prentice Redman 2x4, 2 R, BB
3B Mike Morse 1x4, 2 RBI
PH/SS Erick Monzon 1x4
2B Callix Crabbe 1x3, 2 R, BB
Of Note: In the final game of the series, Tacoma lost to Fresno 11-6 on Sunday. Fresno jumped on Tacoma starter Luis Muñoz when Kevin Frandsen, Adam Witter and Jesus Guzman hit back-to-back-to-back homers in the first inning. Eight of the 10 hits Muñoz allowed went for extra bases. Mike Carp went 0x3 yesterday, ending his hitting streak at 7 games. During the streak he hit .448 (13x29) with 9 runs scored, 5 extra-base hits and 6 RBI during his current 7 game hit streak. Prentice Redman has hit safely 18 of 21 games this season with an at-bat, batting .345 (30x87) with 22 runs scored, 5 doubles, 7 home runs and 13 RBI. Since returning from the DL, Mike Saunders has hit safely in 2 of 3 games, batting .364 (4x11) with 3 runs scored, 1 double, 2 home runs and 6 RBI. Tacoma shortstop Chris Woodward left the game after being hit in the chest by a Billy Sadler pitch in the bottom of the second inning.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Andy Baldwin (2-1, 1.66 ERA) at Salt Lake

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Wow, what a game yesterday. I will admit, there were times I just wanted it to be over, but in the end, you always feel special being at games like that.

Let's get to some links to get your work week started ...

AUDIO: I forgot to post it this weekend, but I did my usual appearance on the Ian Furness show on Friday, you can listen to that interview here.

From yesterday's thrilling 15-inning marathon ...
Here's my game story and here's the game notebook.

Columnist John McGrath was up at the game and offered his thoughts on the game.

Bob Sherwin was up covering the game for the AP, here's his story.

From other clubhouse ...
Here's Susan Slusser's game story from the SF Chronicle. And here's the gamer from Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News group.

From Sunday's paper ...
Here's my Sunday baseball column that discusses stealing home. I talked with several players on the Mariners and A's about it.

Also here's TNT contributor and the voice of the Rainiers, Mike Curto's minor league notebook.

* NOTE -- I'm still perusing the my netvibes page and will post some stuff later.