If you've ever wondered how Felix Hernandez would do in the National League, where he'd face a pitcher evey few innings, read on - it's Felix vs. the Dodgers tonight.

Yes, it's Adrian Beltre's last game for 6-8 weeks, but the Mariners badly need a dose of good news. The kind a win would bring.

The team looked lackluster in defeat last night, and then got the word from Beltre today that he was going to have surgery on his left shoulder.

That will thin out an already quiet offense, so what Seattle needs is a start that handcuffs the opposition.

Hernandez has pitched like an ace most of the season. The Mariners need that to continue tonight.

A lead for Felix

Franklin Gutierrez doubled Jose Lopez home from first base in the second inning, then Ichiro led off the third with a single and scored on Russell Branyan's triple.

It was Ichiro's second hit of the night, and his seventh consecutive multi-hit game - tying his career high.

Ken Griffey Jr. followed up with his ninth home run of the season, and Hernandez is up by four.

That was Junior's 55th career interleague home run, leaving him one behind Jim Thome for the most in baseball history.

In the third inning: Mariners 4, Dodgers 0

Look out, Ichi!

Felix worked around a two-out hit-and-run single that put runners on first and third base, getting a line drive directly at Ichiro in right field.

Unfortunately, Ichiro lost it in the lights, and - on his knees trying to block it - took that line drive off his inner thigh.

Yes, folks, that was close to disaster.

As it was, it cost the Mariners one run.

After three: Mariners 4, Dodgers 1

That's Mister Hernandez

Into the seventh, Felix is dealing.

Six innings, six strike outs, three hits allowed - and the Dodgers wouldn't have a run if not for that ball lost in the lights.

Let's say the Dodgers are impressed.

In the seventh: Mariners 4, Dodgers 1

And in the end

After Felix had thrown 117 pitches in eight innings, matching his season high, Aardsma finished the game, surviving a double

and a walk in the ninth.

That pushes the Mariners record to 38-36. A year ago, the were 26-48.

Final: Mariners 5, Dodgers 1

Gold Glove third baseman Adrian Beltre is in the lineup tonight against the Dodgers, but he won't play again until after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his left shoulder.

Just when hasn't been decided, but within the next week Beltre will have surgery that will likely keep him out of the Seattle Mariners lineup 4-8 weeks.

"We've been bracing for this for awhile," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "It creates a dilemma, but it creates an opportunity, too."

Asked if itt were one play that pushed the decision on him, Beltre shook his head.

Beltre said trying to play through the pain hasn't been working.

Medical tests show a large spur in Beltre's lefrt - non-throwing shoulder - and nothing short of surgery will repair it.

Russell Branyan has played third base in the past, and moving him would let the team slide Mike Carp into the lineup at first base. That said, it's unlikely that will happen.

Branyan is playing well enough at first to handle his own - moving him to third, where he's less effective, wouldn't help Seattle's infield defense.

More likely, Jose Lopez will move from second base to third, and Ronny Cedeno and Chris Woodward can play second base.

Beltre, 30, is in the last year of his contract, and the surgery means he's virtually untradeable before or at the July 31 deadline. In 71 games this season, Beltre is batting .260 with five home runs and 30 RBI.

"I've never been 100 per cent since surgery last year to fix this," Beltre said. "They said there was a small chance the spur would grow back. My luck, I was one of those whose spur came back - and it's bigger than last year. It hurts more."

If Beltre has the surgery in the next week he likely would be able to return in August or early September.

"It's tough to lose Endy Chavez, then Adrian," Zduriencik said. "I wish I had 25 Adrian Beltres. He's a tough guy, he wants to be part of what we're doing here. After tonight, we'll talk to the doctor and schedule the surgery."

Southern California has always been home to those who not only see themselves as different but truly are.

Coming out of small restaurant this afternoon, I watched as a couple in their sixties - decked out in riding coats and caps - drove by in a '30s era convertible.

They hit the 'ah-ooga' horn as they went by and the driver tipped his cap.

And that wasn't even the unusual part.

This is what happens to people who don't get a change of seasons. Without, say, months of rain, Southern Californians have just too much fun.

Fortunately, we in the Northwest don't have to combat the urges.