So how is it, inquisitive minds want to know, that the Seattle Mariners - losers of 101 games a year ago - are winning all these one-run games in 2009.

They did it again Saturday, beating Boston, 3-2, on a two-out single in the ninth inning by Chris Woodward. An ugly little pop fly of a single, at that.

“Not only didn’t I see the ball after I hit it, I didn’t see the pitch that jammed me,” Woodward said, shaking his head. “Until I saw (Dustin) Pedroia going for it, I had no idea where it was.

“Someone said I couldn’t have thrown the ball and have it work out better, but I could have,” he said. “I’d have thrown it far enough so Pedroia couldn’t almost catch it. You always have more line drives caught than bloops drop in, but that one was worth about four line drive outs."
Woodward is the backup infielder who has been playing third base in the absence of Adrian Beltre - and has gone 7-for-17 while doing so.

Asked why the Mariners could beat the Red Sox, for instance, twice in a row in one-run games, he had a thoughtful answer.

“Look at the lineups teams like the Doddgers, Yankees and Red Sox have, they’re used to blowing teams out, getting six, seven, eight runs a night,” Woodward said. “They don’t play these kinds of games that often.

“We play them all the time. We grind for every run, and our pitching keeps the opposition down, sets the tone. We’ve been through a lot of these games, so we might have an advantage in them.”

Now 4-3 on this trip with two games to play, the Mariners are in position to win a series from Boston - on the road - by winning today or Sunday.

Win and they're guaranteed a 5-4 trip through Los Angeles, New York and Boston. It's like gambling with the house's money.

They begin the day 2 1/2 games behind the Angels in the American League West, three games over .500 and feeling good about themselves.

It's Garrett Olson vs. Brad Penny and though no one would say the Mariners are favorites today, the way they've played all season proves they expect to win.

This is a 41-38 team. A year ago after 79 games, the Mariners were 29-50.

Red Sox strike first

Olson walked Rocco Baldelli, fell behind Jason Varitek, 3-1, then threw a fastball the Boston catcher was sitting on.

Varitek got it and hit it out, his 12th of the season. A not-so-subtle reminder to young pitchers: that's why you can't fall behind good hitters.

Olson wobbled after Varitek's homd run, giving up a single and another walk - watched as Jacoby Ellsbury and Julio Lugo pulled a double steal - then got out of it by striking out J.D. Drew.

Long inning, too many pitches thrown, poor results.

Afer two: Red Sox 2, Mariners 0

Another one-run game!

It's a Mariners speciality. With two outs, Ichiro singled up the middle and Russell Branyan doubled to left field.

Ichiro scored on the play, but Branyan was out trying for third base. One run in, Branyan's 44th RBI.

In the third: Red Sox 2, Mariners 1

Mariners small ball

Chris Woodward singled, and Ronny Cedeno's bunt to move him up was so good he was safe at first base.

Ichiro lined out to right field, getting Woodward from second base to third for Branyan. Branyan worked the count full at 3-2, fouled off four straight pitches and then flied to left field, bringing in the tying run with his 45th RBI.

In the fifth: Mariners 2, Red Sox 2

On an 0-2 pitch, Olson hit Rocco Baldelli, and Jason Varitek followed with a hit-and-run single that sent Baldelli to third.

With Red Sox at first and second base, Olson coaxed a ground ball double play out of Jeff Bailey, and the inning was over.

Olson went 6 1/3 innings - his longest start of the season - and left after walking Drew with one out in the seventh.

With the bullpen short because of useage, Corcoran got the call. Pitching to avoid what seems inevitible, losing his job, Corcoran got a ground ball out that sent Drew to second base.

Corcoran got a grounder to shortstop to end the inning. Nice outing - and the Mariners have gotten this one to the eighth inning, tied.

After seven: Mariners 2, Red Sox 2

And in the ninth

Mariners got their leadoff baserunner when Junior walked, and Wladimir Balentien pinch ran.

Gutierrez flied out, Langerhans walked for the second time, pushing Balentien to second base. Kenji Johjima drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases.

Chris Woodward hit a little pop fly over first base, just beyond a diving Pedroia, for an RBI single to put Seattle ahead. It was the kind of hit that pitchers talk angrily about 10 years later.

David Aardsma will get the chance to close.

In the ninth: Mariners 3, Red Sox 2

That's a final

Back strain, smack strain - with the chance to win their fifth game on this nine-game trip, Wakamatsu brought in his closer.
Aardsmsa responded by getting a ground ball out, a fly ball out, a strike out and, oh yes, his 17th save.

The Mariners are four games over .500 (42-38) for the first time since May 4.

It's final: Mariners 3, Red Sox 2

<

Happy Fourth of July, and welcome to the a.m. briefing from manager Don Wakamatsu.

Closer David Aardsma has a mild strain in his lower back, says he can pitch but the team would love to give him at least another day off.

It now appears Yuniesky Betancourt won't come off the disabled list until after the All-Star break. The Mariners see no need to rush him to get him back for a few days before the break, and Ronny Cedeno is playing well.

Erik Bedard felt fine after his 54 pitch simulated game Friday, and remains on schedule to pitch Tuesday at Safeco Field.
Want more?

Outfielder Ryan Langerhans is in the lineup for the third day in a row - despite a mild strain in his calf - and the Mariners are more and more impressed with the man they acquired last week from Washington.

"He's a very athletic kid," Wakamatsu said. "He may be a bit like Russell Branyan, a guy who floated around baseball and got bits and pieces of playing time but never had it click.

"He plays solid defense and gives us depth in center field, he hits left-handers pretty well. I like him."

Nothing like having a flair for the dramatic. High Desert's James McOwens (photo from milb.com) extended his hitting streak to 40 games with a single with two outs in the ninth inning of Friday night's game.

He is now 29 games away from the record of 69 held by Joe Wilhoit of Wichita.

Also I forgot to post this the other day, so here it is ....

Tacoma's Chris Shelton and Bryan LaHair were named to the PCL all-star team and will be playing in the 22nd annual Triple A All-Star game in Portland on July 15 and will be televised on ESPN2. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

AUDIO: Shelton was on with Ian Furness about 20 minutes after I did my weekly segment on Friday, you can listen to either interview here.

Shelton was voted the starting designated hitter by league managers, media members, and
fans. He is batting .319 (87x273) with 22 doubles, 12 homers and 61 RBI. LaHair was selected as a reserve and is hitting .283 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI.

The International League will be led by Red Sox prospect Clay Bucholz and Reds outfielder Drew Stubbs. Here's the team.

From the press release ...
The Pacific Coast League roster is filled with league hitting leaders, led by outfielder John Bowker of the Fresno Grizzlies, who second in the PCL in average (.359), fifth in hits (93), first in on-base percentage (.460), third in slugging percentage (.637) and third in runs scored (58). Joining Bowker in the outfield will be Matt Miller (.324, 5 HR, 63 RBI) and Matt Murton (.377, 9 HR, 43 RBI) of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Miller is seventh in the league in average and third in RBI (63), hits (96) and doubles (25). The reserve PCL outfielders will be Terry Evans of Salt Lake, Brendan Katin of Nashville and Michael Ryan of New Orleans. Katin and Evans are tied for second in home runs in the league (17) and are in second and third place respectively in extra base hits (42) and (38). Katin is number two in the league leaders in RBI (65). Ryan is tied for fourth in doubles (23).