Yuniesky Betancourt showed up for extra batting practice Wednesday, sat down with manager Don Wakamatsu and wound up in the starting lineup for the first time in five days.

Now, can a 'motivated' Yuni help his team score?

Over the last seven games, Seattle hasn't allowed more than three runs - and still gone 4-3.

"The offense has to step up," Wakamatsu said. "You can't ask more of our pitchng than it's giving us."

To that end, the team held a meeting for hitters only before the game.

Now, can they - and will they - hit?

It's Felix Hernandez vs. Jeremy Guthrie. And we're off.

Trouble? What trouble?

Brian Roberts leadoff double and a five-pitch walk to Adam Jones put Hernandez in crisis mode almost before he was loose.

Felix settled in, got a fly ball and then a marvelous play at first from Russell Branyan, who smothered a ball for the second out.

Melvin Mora tapped out to first, and the threat was gone.

Look, mom - a run!

Jose Lopez took an 0-1 pitch over the wall in left field for his seventh home run.

Yes, that's a run. And a lead. The Mariners dugout appears stunned.

In the second: Mariners 1, Orioles 0

Ouch, ouch, ouch

Franklin Gutierrez fouled a pitch off is left knee during his third-inning at-bat, and it clearly was hurting him.

He grounded out, and when the Mariners took the field, he stayed behind.

Endy Chavez now in center field, Wladimir Balentien in left. Any other outfield injuries, we might see Junior out there.

Look, mom - another run!

Adrian Beltre safe on an error, and with one out Lopez singled into right field, sending Beltre to third base.

Yuni came up, grounded out to shortstop and pushed Beltre home.

Yikes!

In the fourth: Mariners 2, Orioles 0

Orioles and Mother Nature threaten

Matt Wieters leadoff double and a one-out RBI single from Brian Roberts tightened the game, and well out beyond the ball park, lightning flashed.

A sign from Mother Nature?

The crowd here is unbothered by such storm warnings - but no one in the press box has volunteered to go sit in the upper deck.

Felix, meanwhile, struck out Adam Jones and appeared to twist his left ankle. He told the team trainer, Rick Griffin, that he was fine - but Nick Markakis doubled on a bullet down the right field line, putting runners at second and third base.

Aubrey Huff flied out.

After five: Mariners 2, Orioles 1

Jose, can you see?

Beltre doubled, Junior got him to third base with a long fly ball and Mr. Lopez launched his second home run of the night.

That's eight home runs and a team leading 35 RBI for the second baseman.

And it's a three-run lead for Felix.

In the sixth: Mariners 4, Orioles 1

Good night, Felix

Hernandez isn't laboring, per se, but he's slowing down on the mound, taking more time between pitches.

He's allowed Baltimore seven hits and worked out of his share of trouble tonight - only one 1-2-3 inning in the bunch.

After seven innings and 104 pitches, it's likely the eighth inning will belong to Sean White, the ninth to David Aardsma.

After seven: Mariners 4, Orioles 1

And in the end ...

Brilliant managing!

As Wakamatsu said, when your pitchers pitch and your hitters hit, it can look awfully easy out there.

White worked a perfect eighth, Aardsma a perfect ninth and - voila! - Felix is now 6-3 and the Mariners are 29-30.

Final score: Mariners 4, Orioles 1

Now that most everyone has read or heard that Brandon Morrow is headed for the Tacoma Rainiers starting rotation, the Mariners made it official today.

Manager Don Wakamatsu said the team wanted to do what was best for the young right-hander, and Morrow talked about his future.

"I'm not 25 yet, and it can take years to get to the top in this game," Morrow said. "I took the time to think about what I want o be doing when I'm 30, and that's starting."

Morrow blamed no one but himself for the strange season he's had so far - beginning wih his decision late in spring to return to the bullpen.

"I wanted to be with the team, help them any way I could, and I wasn't ready to be in the rotation," Morrow said. "I spent a lot of time trying to convince the team and myself I could close.

"I was hasty. I wasn't ready."

Wakamatsu said Morrow has been working on mechanics that improve his command, and Morrow said he'll take those to the minor leagues with him.

Morrow doesn't expect to be back soon.

"Last year I went down to improve my arm strength and we sort of knew I'd be back up in September," he said. "Now, there's no time table. In spring training, I was thinking short term. Now, I'm thinking long term.

Asked if he had to convince the Mariners he could start regularly despite having Type I diabetes, Morrow shrugged.

"I just threw that out in spring training, when I was trying to come up with reasons to go to the bullpen," he said. "I've started in the past, and it's never been an issue. I've never left the mound because of anything related to diabetes."

Wakamatsu wouldn't set a date, but it seems likely Morrow will join the Rainiers some time in the next week.

No real surprise here as reliever Denny Stark cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Tacoma.

Stark, 34, was designated for assignment on Sunday, June 7. The Mariners had 10 days to trade, release or outright his contract to the minors. Stark accepted the outright today, and will join the Rainiers on Friday in Sacramento.Stark was 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA (8 ER, 11.0 IP) in 9 relief appearances. He made his season debut May 3, his first Major League appearance since July 19, 2004. Discounting one bad outing (May 5 at Texas) in which he allowed 6 earned runs in 1.0 inning, Denny posted a 1.80 ERA in his other 8 games with Seattle this season

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik made the rounds of the local sportstalk radio this morning.

Here's his interview from Mitch in the Morning.

He also went on last night's postgame show with Shannon Drayer, and I'm still trying to locate that audio. Here it is. He also did a morning news show on KIRO as well, you can find it here.

And just cause I forgot to post, I was also on with Brock and Salk on Monday. You can listen to it here.

4 (113) James Jones, OF Long Island University
5 (143) Tyler Blandford, RHP Oklahoma State
6 (173) Shaver Hansen, 3B Baylor
7 (203) Brian Moran, LHP North Carolina
8 (233) Jimmy Gilheeney, LHP North Carolina State
9 (263) Trevor Coleman, C Missouri
10 (293) Vincent Catricala, 3B Hawaii
11 (323) Tim Morris, 1B St. John's N.Y.
12 (353) Andrew Carraway, RHP Virginia
13 (383) Matt Cerione, CF Georgia
14 (413) Adam Nelubowich, 3b Vauxhall HS, Vauxhall, Alberta
15 (443) Blake Keitzman, lhp Western Oregon
16 (473) Tillman Pugh, OF Gateway (Ariz.) CC
17 (503) Joseph Terry, 2B Cerritos (Calif.) CC
18 (533) Anthony Vasquez, LHP USC
19 (563) Eric Thomas, RHP Bethune Cookman
20 (593) Jonathan Hesketh, LHP New Mexico
21 (623) Daniel Cooper, RHP USC
22 (653) Drew Hayes, RHP Vanderbilt
23 (683) David Rollins, LHP San Jacinto (Texas) JC
24 (713) Carlton Tanabe, C Pearl City (Hawaii) HS
25 (743) Brandon Josselyn, RHP Yale
26 (773) Chris Sorce, RHP Troy
27 (803) Austin Hudson, RHP Central Florida
28 (833) Regan Flaherty, 1B Deering HS, Maine
29 (863) Brandon Haveman, OF Purdue
30 (893) Brandon Bantz, C Dallas Baptist Texas

Not a bad day for the Mariners. They take five position players - three college, two high school. Remember you'll be able to watch top pick Dustin Ackley and third-round pick Kyle Seager, who both play for the University of North Carolina on Sunday when the Heels take on Arizona State in the first round of the College World Series.

Here's my story from today.

Here's John McGrath's column on the draft.

This MLB.com story also has video of Ackley and other picks, and the comments from Jack Zduriencik and Tom McNamara

Here are some small bios and additional information and links for each.

1B/OF DUSTIN ACKLEY
University of North Carolina
Chosen: First round (second overall)
Vitals: 6-1 / 184
Bats/throws: Left/Right
Born: Feb. 26, 1988 in Winston Salem, NC
Skinny: The best position player in the draft, Ackley can run, hit for average and has potential for additional power. In three seasons with the Tarheels, he never hit below .400 and his on-base percentage never went below .448. Elbow surgery forced him to play first base much of the year, but with his arm healthy he will move to his natural position – centerfield.

Heading into his third College World Series, Ackley is batting .412 (103x250) with 17 doubles, 4 triples, 22 home runs and 70 RBI in 63 games this season. Ackley received ACC Player of the Year and First-Team Louisville Slugger All-America honors, becoming the first three-time All-America selection in Tar Heel baseball history.

In three seasons at North Carolina, Ackley has emerged as one of the best players in ACC history. He holds school career records for average (.410), hits (338), runs (225) and total bases (535). Ackley is a career .410 (338x824) hitter with 58 doubles, 11 triples, 39 home runs and 195 RBI. He has posted multiple hits in 105 of 204 career games (51%).

Here's the MLB draft report on Ackley

UNC bio

Here's the story from the Charlotte News Observer

How about a little youtube video?

SS NICHOLAS FRANKLIN
Lake Brantley High School, Almonte Springs, Fla.
Chosen: First round (27th overall)
Vitals: 6-1/170
Bats/Throws: Switch/Right
Born: March 2, 1991
Skinny: Labeled a “baseball rat” by those who have watched him play, Franklin is versatile athlete and a tireless worker. His high school has produced major leaguers Felipe Lopez (Diamondbacks), Rickie Weeks (Brewers), Jason Varitek (Red Sox) and top Oakland shortstop prospect Jemile Weeks. In his senior year, Franklin hit .538 with 11 home runs.

He has committed to playing at Auburn after a solid senior season in which he hit .538 with 11 home runs and was selected the Orlando Sentinel's baseball Player of the Year. Franklin, 18, was a member of the 2007 U.S. Youth National team that played in Venezuela.

Here's the MLB draft report on Franklin

Here's the Sun Sentinel's story on his selection.

Here's the Sun Sentinel's story on Franklin being player of the year.

And another story from the Sun Sentinel

Another scouting report from the Florida High School baseball report

Here's some youtube video from a year ago.

C STEVEN BARON
Ferguson High School, Miami, Fla.
Chosen: Sandwich pick (33rd overall)
Vitals: 6-0/190
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Born: Jan. 1, 1990
Skinny: Reports were that the Mariners had a pre-draft deal with Baron to take him at No. 33, earlier than he was projected. Baron is one of the top defensive catcher in the high school ranks. He threw out 13 of 24 runners attempted base stealers. The hitting is still coming along, he hit .345 with eight doubles and two homers and 16 RBI in 30 games his senior season.

Here's the MLB.com's draft report on Baron

Here's some comments from Baron in the Miami Herald's prep blog. It's also where this photo is from.

Here's the draft story from the Miami Herald. Baron this paragraph seems interesting.

Baron went to Seattle a day after high school graduation to work out for the Mariners. He indicated Tuesday that he might honor his commitment and play for Duke next season if he and his family cannot settle on a contract with the Mariners. Baron said he would like to sign a contract worth around $1.3 million. Meanwhile, Duke upped its scholarship offer to cover 90 percent of Baron's tuition, according to Baron.

''I have until August 15 to negotiate, and we'll see what happens,'' he said.

Here's another scouting report on Baron from a scouting service.

1B RICH POYTHRESS
University of Georgia
Chosen: Second round (51st overall)
Vitals: 6-4/245
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Born: Aug. 11, 1988
Skinny: A power-hitting first baseman, Poythress hit .376 with 25 home runs and a school record 86 RBI this past season. It was the second straight season he topped 70 RBI for the Bulldogs. An obvious first-team All-SEC selection, Poythress was also named to the SEC’s all-defensive team.

He was named the 2009 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association District IV Player of the Year. He hit three home runs in the Tallahassee Regional to lead Georgia to a 24-8 win over Ohio State. Poythress was also named a Louisville Slugger All-American and a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award.

Here's the MLB.com draft report on Poythress

Here's his U of Georgia bio

Here's a story from the Augusta Chronicle

Here's an interview with Poythress from a prospect blog

Here's a story on Poythress from last year when he was going to the CWS.

Here's some video of him making a good defensive play.

2B/3B KYLE SEAGER
University of North Carolina
Chosen: Third round (88th overall)
Vitals: 6-1/187
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Born: Nov. 3, 1987
Skinny: He projects as a second baseman since he doesn’t quite have the power of a third baseman. Seager is second behind Ackley on the Tarheels in hitting with a .386 batting average. He had 24 doubles, four triples, five home runs, while driving in 59 runs with a .480 on-base percentage.

Seager was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award as a sophomore when he set a single-season UNC record with 30 doubles. As a junior he was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference.

Here's the MLB.com draft report on Seager

UNC bio

Here's a story from his hometown newspaper.