Three Mariners entered the game with hitting streaks, and all six other players in the lineup didn't.

That gives you an idea how the Seattle offense is going.

Kenji Johjima (seven games), Jose Lopez (six) and Russell Branyan (5) are the streakers. The rest of the lineup stands at ... well ... zero.

And we're off.

It's little ball!

David DeJesus began the first inning with a bloop opposite field double, and Willie Bloomquist - yes, HIM! - singled up the middle.

Carlos Silva induced a ground ball double play from Mark Teahan, but DeJesus scored.

Silva hit Jose Guillen, Billy Butler just missed a home run - doubling off the wall in right field - and Mike Jacobs singled both of them home.

Just the kind of start Seattle and its beleaguered right-hander didn't need.

After one: Royals 3, Mariners 0

It's long ball

Mark Teahen found a Silva fastball to his liking and turned it into his fourth home run.

Jose Guillen just did get a grounder through the infield for a single, Butler grounded anoher single - precisely the kind of hits sinker ball specialists allow when they're a bit unlucky.

Garrett Olson is throwing in the Seattle bullpen, six outs into this one.

Mike Jacobs grounded a third single into left field to load the bases with no one out. Silva got a ground ball double play, with another run scoring, but at least that one was hit at someone.

Silva balked home Butler. There's not much more that can happen to Silva this inning, except perhaps being struck by a lightning bolt.

After three innings: Royals 6, Mariners 0

Good night, Mr. Silva

Olson on the mound to start the fourth. This isn't good news for Silva or the Mariners - his failures in the rotation likely won't look much better if he's thrown into occasional use in the bullpen, but Wakamatsu is about out of patience and options.

Oops

The Mariners loaded the bases with one out on a walk to Junior and singled by Franklin Gutierrez and Yuniesky Betancourt.

The chance to get back in this game?

No. Ichiro tapped back to the mound for a force at the plate, and Endy Chavez tapped back to the mound for the third out.

This one feels like a plug has been pulled, and it's only the fifth.

Royals 8, Mariners 0

There goes the shutout

Another promising threat the Mariners did very little with, but at least they're on the board.

Lopez singled, Branyan doubled and Beltre flied out deep enough to chase home one run and get Branyan to third base.

Griffey flied out to shallow center and Branyan inexplicably tried to score. For his effort, he was tagged out - in the face - by catcher Olivo.

Words and hard looks were exchanged.

In the sixth: Royals 8, Mariners 1

It's about over

Olson is saving the bullpen, allowing three runs in five innings of relief his first day in uniform.

As for the offense, consider this. With men on second and third base and one out, the Royals went to reliever Horacio Ramirez - yes, THAT Horacio Ramirez - and the lefty pitched out of it without allowing a run.

After eight: Royals 9, Mariners 1
It's over

Griffey reached base on an error, took second on a Gutierrez infield hit. Betancourt popped out.
Ichiro struck out.

No animals were injured during the playing of this game.

Final: Royals 9, Mariners 1

The flavor of Seattle is abundant here, in the Mariners lineup, of course, and in that of the Kansas City Royals.

Even without Gil Meche pitching, the Royals lineup features Willie Bloomquist (.378), Jose Guillen (.306) and Miguel Olivo (.211).

To counter that - and the problem they've had scoring - the Mariners roll out yet another of Don Wakamatsu's moving-target batting orders.

Here's the latest:

Ichiro RF
Endy Chavez LF
Jose Lopez 2B
Russell Branyan 1B
Adrian Beltre 3B
Ken Griffey Jr. DH
Kenji Johjima C
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Carlos Silva RHP

Sorry this is late, had an appointment with the oral surgeon. A few things, the Rainiers had to face Angels pitcher John Lackey and it sounded like he's on his way back to the Los Angeles rotation. On Sunday, High Desert faced Ervin Santana, who was also on rehab start.

In Class A Clinton, Denny Almonte hit a pair of homers.

AAA Tacoma Rainiers (PCL)
Here's Mike Curto's game story. AS you will read, the Rainiers had two grand slams hit off them in one inning.
BOX SCORE
Tacoma 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error
Salt Lake 13 runs, 12 hits, 0 errors
Pitching Lines:
RH Eric Hull (L, 3-2) 3.0,3,3,3,5,2,WP
RH Steven Shell 1.0,4,5,5,1,1,2HR
RH Jesus Delgado 2.0,3,2,2,0,1,HR
RH Brodie Downs 1.0,1,3,3,4,1
RH Randy Messenger 1.0,1,0,0,0,1
With the Bats:
LF Mike Saunders 1x2, 2B, BB
CF Jerry Owens 0x3, BB, SB
Of Note: It was a game to forget for the Rainiers on Tuesday, falling to Salt Lake 13-0 as Tacoma dropped their 4th straight game. Steven Shell gave up 5 runs in an 8-run 4th inning and Tacoma managed only 1 hit against the Bees. The Rainiers pitching staff gave up 2 grand slams in the game, both in the same inning. It was the 3rd time in PCL history that a team hit 2 slams in 1 inning and the 1st since May 17, 1991, when the Calgary Cannons (then the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate) did it at home against the Tacoma Tigers. Since returning from the DL, Mike Saunders has hit safely in 4 of 5 games, batting .368 (7x19) with 5 runs scored, 2 doubles, 4 home runs and 9 RBI. Mike Carp went 0x3 yesterday, but has hit safely in 8 of his last 10 games. During this stretch he is batting .385 (15x39) with 10 runs scored, 6 extra-base hits and 7 RBI.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Gaby Hernandez (0-2, 6.49 ERA) at Salt Lake

AA West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (Southern League)

GAME STORY from Jackson Sun.
BOX SCORE
Huntsville 13 runs, 11 hits, 3 errors
West Tennessee 10 runs, 12 hits, 3 errors
Pitching Lines:
RH Kyle Parker 5.0,3,4,4,3,5,2HR
LH Nick Hill 1.0,3,3,2,0,1
RH Marwin Vega (L, 0-2) 2.0,3,4,0,1,3
RH Josh Fields 0.2,1,2,2,2,1,HB
RH Anthony Varvaro 0.1,1,0,0,0,1
With the Bats:
C Yamid Haad 3x5, 3 RBI
CF Greg Halman (left) 2x3, 3 R, 2B, HR, RBI, BB, HP
RF Ezequiel Carrera 2x4, R, 2 RBI, BB
2B/SS Jeff Dominguez 2x5, R, RBI
DH Marshall Hubbard 1x2, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI
Of Note: The Jaxx and Stars have battled with the weather the last few days played a 3:40 minute marathon on Tuesday that the Stars edged out 13-10. Greg Halman has knocked in 22 RBI in his last 13 games. During this stretch he is batting .313 (15x48) with 13 runs scored, 3 doubles, 8 home runs and 23 RBI. Halman currently leads the Southern League in home runs (10) and RBI (28). Ezequiel Carrera extended his on-base streak to 23 games. He is currently batting .357 (30x84) with 24 runs scored, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 14 RBI and 6 stolen bases. The Diamond Jaxx and Stars game at 11:05 TODAY has been postponed due to rain and a scheduled double-header is set for Thursday, beginning at 5:05.
Thursday’s probable starter:
Game 1: TBA vs. Huntsville
Game 2: TBA vs. Huntsville

A High Desert (California League)
GAME STORY from Victorville Daily Press
BOX SCORE
Inland Empire 13 runs, 19 hits, 1 error
High Desert 16 runs, 15 hits, 2 errors
Pitching Lines:
RH Jake Wild 4.2,9,4,3,3,6
RH Stephen Penney 1.0,4,5,2,0,1,WP
RH Aaron Jensen 1.1,4,2,2,1,1,HR
RH Steven Richard 0.1,2,2,2,1,1
RH Natividad Dilone (W, 2-0) 0.2,2,2,2,1,1
RH Phillippe Aumont (S, 4) 1.0,0,0,0,0,0
With the Bats:
LF Kuo Hui Lo 3x6, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB
RF Jamie McOwen 2x5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, BB
3B Alex Liddi 2x6, R, 2B, RBI
DH Carlos Peguero 2x4, R, 3B, RBI, BB
C Yose Yepez 2x3, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2 BB
Of Note: Tuesday night the Mavs and 66ers combined for 29 runs on 34 hits in a game that lasted over 4 hours. When it was all over, the Mavs emerged victorious 16-13. All 18 players had at least 1 hit and scored once. Five players on the Mavs and 7 players on the 66ers had at least two hits. All nine on the Mavs and seven 66ers had at least 1 RBI. Jamie McOwen recorded a career-high 6 RBI, including hitting a 3-run home run. Joe Dunigan has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games, batting .397 (27x68) with 17 runs scored, 7 doubles, 7 home runs and 16 RBI. Tyson Gillies currently has an 8-game hit streak, batting .310 (9x29) with 8 runs scored, 3 extra-base hits and 4 RBI.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Juan Ramirez (2-1, 2.73 ERA) vs. Inland Empire

A Clinton LumberKings (Midwest Lg.)

BOX SCORE
Clinton 7 runs, 12 hits, 2 errors
Dayton 5 runs, 11 hits, 1 error
Pitching Lines:
RH Adam Harben 4.2,8,5,3,1,3,2HB
RH Ryan Moorer 2.1,2,0,0,0,0,WP
RH Cheyne Hann (W, 1-0) 1.0,0,0,0,0,3
RH Ruben Flores (S, 4) 1.0,1,0,0,0,0
With the Bats:
2B Luis Nunez 3x4, 2 RBI
LF Denny Almonte (left)2x5, 2 R, 2 HR
1B Scott Savastano 2x5, R, 3B, RBI
C Travis Howell 2x3, R, 2 BB
3B Nate Tenbrink 1x4, RBI
Of Note: Scott Savastano's triple to right-center scored Maximo Mendez as Clinton came from behind for a 7-5 victory over Dayton on Tuesday night. Denny Almonte currently has a 7-game hit streak, batting .357 (10x28) with 6 runs scored, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs and 8 RBI. He has also hit safely in 20 of 23 games this season, batting .310 (27x87). Juan Diaz currently has a 6-game hit streak, batting .391 (9x23). He has also hit safely in 18 of 20 games this season, batting .354 (28x79) with 17 runs scored, 7 extra-base hits and 8 RBI. Luis Nunez has recorded 6 hits in his last 8 at-bats, with consecutive 3-hit games. Scott Savastano recorded his 8th multi-hit game of the season and is currently batting .325 (25x77) with 15 runs scored, 6 extra-base hits and 12 RBI.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Kenn Kasparek (1-2, 5.19 ERA) at Dayton

First of all, I suggest you read Jerry Crasnick's story on plate discipline. It's not statistical breakdown or filled with projections, but its more of a discussion about what different players, teams and coaches consider plate discipline and a few other things that they are doing to build it.

A few things I took from it ...
1. There are differing opinions about what plate discipline means to players and teams.
2. It's not just about going up there taking walks, it's about having an approach and swinging at pitches you can hit.
3. That learning this type of approach and plate discipline is the most difficult to do at the major league level, and teams like the Red Sox and A's make sure it starts at the lowest of levels.
4. This line from the story ... Contrary to the popular perception, life as we know it didn't begin with "Moneyball."

Not surprisingly Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was mentioned in the story in not the most positive of lights. According to fangraphs, Yuni is swinging at 58.9 percent of the pitches he sees, sometimes I swear it feels like more.

Speaking of Yuni, let's take a look at his at-bats from the Tuesday's game against the Rangers from MLB.com's Gameday software

Four pitches, he swung at three of them -- probably two of the four were strikes.

Four pitches, four swings --- none of them look to be strikes

Two pitches, one swing - both were balls.

Four pitches, two swings -- all four were balls.

And the results --- an 0-for-4 day, 14 pitches, 10 swings, and maybe two or possibly three were actually strikes.

From Wakamatsu about Ronny Cedeno before the game -- "We're definitely going to get him in on this road trip."

Any bets if it is today?