When Jason Vargas throws his first pitch tonight, he'll be part of Seattle Mariners history - the first time the started four consecutive but different left-handed pitchers.

The streak began Sunday with Garrett Olson and now includes Jarrod Washburn, Erik Bedard and Vargas.

It's a strange piece of triva, because the Mariners used six consecutive lefties around the '98 All-Star game - but Jeff Fassero, Jamie Moyer and Randy Johnson twice each in that stretch.

Vargas is ready, Ichiro is hoping to continue The Streak - now 26 games in a row - and Mariners fans are right to wonder whether Ken Griffey Jr. can do all summer what he did 24 hours ago.

Junior doubled twice and homered Tuesday, the 22nd time in his career he had three or more extra base hits in a game.

The Mariners could use a bunch of those games.

We're off - Vargas vs. Brad Bergesen.

Let's think about this

Nick Markakis singled with two outs and Aubrey Huff hit a ball that appeared to wrap around the right field foul pole for a home run.

After both men had circled the bases, the four-man umpiring crew huddled and ruled the ball foul.

That brought the Orioles out of their dugout in protest, and the umpiring crew left the field to view a television replay while fans waited.

When the crew returned, the call was: foul ball.

Huff then grounded out. No score.

That one counts

Designated hitter Luke Scott hit his 12th home run of the season deep into right center field, where no umpire could mistake it for a foul ball.

It could easily be 3-0, but it's not.

In the third: Orioles 1, Mariners 0

The Streak lives, the Mariners lead

One out into the third inning, Ichiro singled into right field - and his hitting streak is now a team-record 27 consecutive games.

One out later, Adrian Beltre stayed hot with his fourth home run, and the Mariners had a lead.

In the fourth: Mariners 2, Orioles 1

How many outs an inning?

Vargas just earned a little more respect in the fourth inning, getting out of the same jam - twice.

With two on and one out, he got a double play ground ball to Beltre, who bobbled it and got no one, loading the bases.

Vargas calmly got the next batter to ground into a double play.

If you're counting, that's five outs he got without allowing a run. That's pitching.

And we are tied

One out in the sixth, a one-run lead for Seattle and two Baltimore runners on base. Vargas looked weary after allowing two hits.

The team went to Chris Jakubauskas, who got a fly ball out from Melvin Mora, but Scott doubled a run home to tie.

Catcher Rob Johnson then pickd Huff off third base, ending the inning. Vargas will get no decision.

In the sixth: Mariners 2, Orioles 2

Oh, for a hit

The old familiar issue cropped up again - can't anyone here get a hit when the situation absolutely, positively demands one?

Not in the seventh inning.

The Mariners put two runners on base for Ichiro with out. He grounded out.

Baltimore walked Branyan intentionally to load the bases for Beltre. Given the chance to blow the game open, Beltre tapped back to the mound.

In the eighth: Still tied at 2.
And in the ninth

Wakamatsu has used his bullpen to get a tie game into the bottom of the ninth, so it would behoove the team to win it here.

Jakubauskas, Mark Lowe and David Aardsma have all held the Orioles in check - and Wak would dearly love to call it a night right here.

Cedeno struck out. Gutierrez tripled off the wall in left-center field, despite a spectacular effort by Adam Jones.

Ichiro was intentionally walked. Branyan was intentionally walked - for the second time.

That brought up Beltre, who already owned the only two Mariners RBI of the evening. With the Baltimore infield in, Beltre singled on a 3-2 pitch.

It's a final: Mariners , Orioles 2

For people living in the area but unable to get to watch Tacoma Rainiers games, you can now watch them on TV - well, if you have a Comcast cable system.

Hey, they aren't dull to watch with several solid players like Jeff Clement, Mike Carp, Mike Morse, Michael Saunders and Adam Moore. I would tell you to go to a game, since its cheap and enjoyable, but this is a pretty good thing as well.

Comcast SportsNet Northwest will start live broadcasts of 15 Rainiers games, starting with Friday night's game against the Reno Aces -- with Ryan Rowland-Smith making his final rehab start for the Rainiers.

Don't know if you have the channel, here's the listings for the areas.

“Adding the Rainiers to our lineup is the latest step in a sustained effort to obtain compelling local sports programming as our network continues to grow," Comcast SportsNet General Manager David Manougian said in a press release. "Triple-A baseball gives our viewers the opportunity to see the stars of tomorrow play today, and we are excited to feature the Rainiers this summer.”

With the channel reaching throughout Oregon and Washington, Rainiers president Aaron Artman is pleased that local fans can see a solid Rainiers team.

"We're thrilled to partner with Comcast Sports Northwest to bring live Rainiers games to fans throughout Washington and Oregon," R Artman said. "It’s exciting to be a key part of their summer programming. We think this partnership offers viewers not only a chance to see top players in the Seattle Mariners system, but also offers a glimpse into the fun and entertainment that is the beauty of minor league baseball."

Friday's game will be broadcast by the venerable Mike Curto, who's been the voice of the Rainiers for 11 years, a contributor to the News Tribune and a friend and reader of tihs blog.

The color commentary will rotate through the season, featuring Northwest broadcast talent including former professional baseball players, sports talk show hosts, and others. I'm already preparing my audition tape.

Here's the games that will be televised.
Friday, June 5th vs. Reno Aces 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 20th vs. Reno Aces 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 2nd vs. Portland Beavers 7 p.m.
Friday, July 3rd vs. Portland Beavers 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 9th vs. Portland Beavers 7 p.m.
Friday, July 10th vs. Portland Beavers 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 11th vs. Portland Beavers 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 12th vs. Portland Beavers 1:30pm
Friday, July 24th vs. Las Vegas 51s 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 2nd vs. Fresno Grizzlies 1:30pm
Friday, August 14th vs. Iowa Cubs 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 16th vs. Iowa Cubs 1:00pm
Friday, August 21st vs. Omaha Royals 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 4 vs. Colorado Springs Sky Sox 7 p.m.

The Great Russell Branyan Batting Second experiement moves into Day 2, and the Seattle Mariner send their secret weapon - lefty Jason Vargas - in search of his third win tonight.

That new-look lineup had its way with Baltimore, and Branyan helped set up runs and create them with his 12th home run.

Vargas was the lefty in the Mariners J.J. Putz trade last winter, and after he tried and failed to win a spot in the bullpen in spring training, he wound up in the rotation in May.

Ronny Cedeno found his way into the lineup again, this time as a left fielder, and the utiltyman continues to look for his stroke. He'll bat eighth, and start the game hitting .173.

That's worse than Rob Johnson's .193, and yes, the Mariners are still looking for an offense that works for more than a day.

Here's the lineup:
Ichiro RF
Branyan 1B
Adrian Beltre 3B
Ken Griffey Jr. DH
Jose Lopez 2B
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Johnson C
Cedeno LF
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Vargas LHP

As some of you know, we have a gentleman on here who often laments, complains and rants about pithcers' inability or unwillingness to pitch more than 100 pitches or seven innings.

So Dave8557, this guy is for you ...

Here's the game story from the Toronto Sun, and here's the story from the Toronto Star.

Yep, Roy Halladay tossed a complete game last night for the Blue Jays with a career-high 14 strikeouts. It was the 42nd complete game of his career. I know much was made of Kansas City's Zack Greinke a few weeks ago and he's having a phenomenal season, but right now Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball and probably has been for the last few years.

If I had to bet my all my worldly possessions, including my dog, on one game, I would pick "Doc" Halladay to pitch it. It's not even close. The guy is an absolute horse and the definition of a staff ace.

One of my baseball writing counterparts loves Halladay (having covered him) and has written about him on numerous occasions as the shining example of what Felix Hernandez should aspire to be. Well, that guy is right.

A quick thought: while it seems illogical and unthinkable, there are some who believe Halladay may be made available for a midseason trade. If that's the case, how will it affect the value of Erik Bedard?