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Jarrod Washburn became the first Mariners pitcher to toss a one-hitter in Safeco Field since it opened in 1999. Notice Mariners pitcher is in italics. The first pitcher to throw a one-hitter at a Safeco was another little lefty - Ted Lilly, who tossed a one-hitter against the M's on April 27th, 2002. Only Lilly lost that game 1-0.

Washburn didn't lose the game. He got plenty of run support. Really all he needed was Russell Branyan's moonshot to left-center in the first inning, which manager Don Wakamatsu said was key.

"Offensively, a big, big thing tonight was Russell putting on the board early," Wakamatsu said. "That sets the tone, a big home run like that."

The Mariners tacked on five more with Ichiro picking up a big two-out RBI single and Chris Woodward delivering a big two-run double after Orioles manager Dave Trembley walked Rob Johnson of all people to load the bases.

Washburn did the rest, tossing nine innings and allowing just one hit, while striking out three and throwing just 110 pitches

"In this game, things can go south in a hurry," he said. "I knew early on I had good stuff and good command and I was just concentrating on keeping it that way.

"Rob called a great game. I think I only shook him off five or six times the whole game. We were in a great rhythm there. Everything worked tonight."

Anything specific?

"Fastball that was it," he said. "We threw one change-up the whole game. The four seam and two seam were working great, both sides of the plate I was commanding them with the fastball."

Any bets if Johnson is going to catch Washburn's next start?

Washburn was perfect through three and gave up his only hit and baserunner with two outs in the fourth when Nick Markakis dropped a soft single to left on a 2-2 pitch.

“It was a sinker in, and it was actually a pretty good pitch,” said catcher Rob Johnson. “He left that one up just a little bit. He didn’t barrel it up, and got jammed a little bit. But it’s part of the game.”

Ryan Langerhans, who was playing left field, took a bit of ribbing for teammates for not getting to the ball, but it landed about 15 feet from him.

“With two strikes I moved a couple steps closer to the line,” he said. “I always do that with two strikes. Maybe if I don’t, I have a chance at it.”

I doubt it. But I haven't gone back and looked at replays again. Still, it was the fourth inning, the Mariners were only leading 1-0, it's not like you want Langerhans to dive for that ball and have the possibility of extra bases. It's not as if you worry about saving a perfect game or no-hitter that early in the game.

After the Markakis hit, Washburn never gave up another hit or a baserunner, and looking at my scorebook, I don't remember a ball being hit particularly hard after that. The at-bat before Markakis, Adam Jones hit a bullet that Branyan speared.

There probably could have been another hit in the seventh. Jones, who showed like he might drag bunt to start his at-bat (a sure sign that Washburn was dealing), hit a busted bat roller to Chris Woodward. And while nobody will ever confuse Woodward with Beltre defensively, he did make a Beltre-type play, barehanding the ball and firing off-balance to first to get Jones. It's one of the better plays I've seen live all year.

But the night belonged to Washburn.

“I don't know if you can throw a better game than that,” Wakamatsu said.

“He pitched one of the best games in Major League baseball all season,” Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. “I give the guy credit. He was on his game and certainly pitched a gem.”

To be fair Washburn has pitched well all season, maybe not this good, but better than he's been in a while.

“I think he's pitching as good as I've ever seen him,” Wakamatsu said. “Even back in the World Series in 2002, I thought he tried to power past guys, but he pitches now. He has more command of certain pitches. You see a lot of lefthanders as they get a little older, they get a little more crafty, but he still has good velocity on his fastball, and he's startingt to understand to maybe soften it a little, use his sinker, use his breaking ball to pitch.”

Washburn credits a mechanical change in spring training at the urging of pitching coach Rick Adair and bullpen coach John Wetteland that also made the difference.

“This year is the best stuff I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’ve always had a two seam fastball but it never sunk before. The mechanical adjustemnt I made in spring training with the help of Rick and Wette has paid off. My two seamer sinks and I’m getting out a little farther on the ball. It helps my breaking ball too. That’s what I owe it all too is that mechanical adjustment.”

Washburn also had a little incentive since his dad, Mike, was in town tonight to watch the game.

Washburn said his parents have only seen him pitch in person twice this season – once in Minnesota, where he threw eight shutout innings and Monday’s game. And Washburn showed he isn’t above superstition.

“He’s here till the all-star break,”Washburn said of his dad. “If I throw another shutout against Texas on Saturday, I might have to make him do some traveling.”

Also one thing that's important to remember about Washburn's start. Not only did it get the Mariners a win, but it gave the bullpen a much needed day off. We've talked about how many inning some of the relievers logged early in the season, and on this last road trip. Washburn gave them an extra night of rest.

"It's awfully important to give our bullpen a break," Wakamatsu said. "Any time we can get a performance like this it invests in our future down the road, where we can not tax the bullpen as much. Those are the signs you're looking for on a winning club."

Washburn is always cognizant of keeping the bullpen fresh, but he also knew that with Erik Bedard starting on Tuesday and on a limited pitch count, the bullpen was going to get some work.

"We got Bedard throwing tomorrow and he's not going to be able to go very deep in the game because he's been out for a while," Washburn said. "They're going to have to work tomorrow."

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A few quick things. Today is salute to Japanese baseball night at Safeco Field, and since my mom is full Japanese descent, meaning I'm half Japanese, the Mariners gave me one of Ichiro's bats and one of Joh's red catcher's gloves. Okay I totally made that last part up. But I am half Japanese and it was a big deal to some of my relatives when Japanese players started showing up in the big leagues. I would think they've helped enhance major league baseball.

A quick note on the nights festivities -- Ayumi Kataoka is a female professional baseball player, who plays for the Ibaraki Golden Golds in the Japanese minor leagues and she threw out the first pitch. While standing around during batting practice, the diminutive player got a wave from Ichiro Suzuki as he was preparing to get in the cage which brought tears to her eyes. Later Kenji Johjima asked if she wanted him to catch the first pitch and she also began tearing up. I guess there is crying in baseball.

First inning
Jarrod Washburn looks pretty sharp, striking out Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.

In the bottom of the inning Russell Branyan takes out any all-star snub frustrations (very few minimal if any) out on the baseball driving a moon-shot to left-center into the Mariners bullpen. M's lead 1-0.

Second inning
Washburn is still cruising along nicely. Also sorry for the delay, but the scoreboards went out hear at Safeco and it has me playing catch up.

Gutierrez leads off with a double in the bottom half of the inning, but he's later thrown out by about six feet on a bad attempt of a steal at third.

Third inning
Another 1-2-3 inning for Washburn ... meanwhile the M's get another strikeout from Ronny Cedeno. That's 37 strikeouts in 121 at-bats for Cedeno. Um, that's kind of a lot.

Fourth inning
Washburn gives up his first hit - a liner to left from Markakis. I didn't jinx it. I didn't say a word.

The Mariners aren't exactly tearing it up offensively other than Branyan home run. Bergeson has probably been Baltimore's best pitcher this season.

Fifth inning
Washburn works a 1-2-3 inning, while the Mariners scratch across another run. Rob Johnson reaches and advances on a throwing error by shortstop Robert Andino. He moves to second on Chris Woodward's broken bat grounder to the right side. The Mariners try a squeeze play with the anemic hitting Ronny Cedeno at the plate, but he bunts it foul. Cedeno then strikes out... of course he does. But Ichiro bails the M's out with a single through the right side.

Sixth inning
Another 1-2-3 inning for Washburn, he's at 80 pitches after six.

The Mariners get a single from Gutierrez, double from Ryan Langerhans to put runners on second and third with one out. The Orioles then intentionally walked Rob Johnson, which is not a typo, to load the bases and Chris Woodward makes them pay with a two-run double to left. Seattle goes up 4-0 with runners on second and third with no outs. Of course, there's no way they are walking Ronny Cedeno, who pulls a hat trick with his third strikeout of the night. The Mariners almost get a couple more, but Ichiro's sinking liner is glove by Brian Roberts on a short hop and thrown to first for the final out.

Seventh inning
Washburn 1-2-3 again. The Mariners tack on an insurance run as Ryan Langerhans hits a ball deep to left with bases loaded for a sac fly.

Eighth inning
Wash again 1-2-3, this is for you Dave8557. Another note, Kam Mickolio is in the eighth to pitch against the M's, as I mentioned earlier he was part of the Bedard trade, and he's also from my home state of Montana. Two Montana players in one big league game, that doesn't happen very often.

Ninth Inning
Washburn with a 1-2-3 inning for a one-hitter the first for a Mariner in Safeco Field history.

Well, the clouds and drizzle that I had in Tacoma are not evident here at a sunny Safeco Field. The Mariners are taking BP right now.

Let's get to a few pregame notes ...
Yuni Betancourt is progressing nicely from his hamstring strain and will do some drills today and tomorrow to test it. He may get sent out to Tacoma over the next few days for some rehab work, but manager Don Wakamatsu said he doesn't not anticipate that Yuni will be activated till after the all-star break.

Mike Sweeney is day to day with back spasms.

Erik Bedard is good to go for tomorrow and will likely be on pitch count of around 75 to 80 pitches. ON Sunday, he'll be closer to 100.

In the Mariners clubhouse, outfielder Endy Chavez made an appearance in the M's clubhouse, coming on a set of crutches, and still smiling as usual. With the swelling down and the range of motion a little better, Chavez will have surgery on Thursday to repair his torn ACL and MCL.

We talked with Chavez about the play and he said that he did not try to call of Yuni on the play.

"No, no, no," he said. "When I saw the ball, I got it in my mind to dive for it. I saw Yuni at the last (second) and I said I’m not going to dive for it now. I tried to stop but I can't get out of the way in time. So I tried to catch the ball and prepare myself to get hit. The next thing I found out I was in the air."

Chavez is placing no blame on either party involved.

"That’s part of the game," he said. "I know we were playing hard and Yuni attacks the ball pretty good too. There's no way he can call me off and no way I can call him off. It’s something that happens in the game. It’s something you are not expecting. But it’s in the air and anything can happen in baseball games."

As for the injury itself, Chavez lost his smile pretty quickly when talking about the pain.

"It was unbelievable," he said. "I knew something was wrong because it was so painful that I couldn’t even move my leg. I knew something was wrong in there. The pain was terrible. Now it’s just uncomfortable because you can’t do anything with it."

Over on the Orioles side, former Mariner prospect Kam Mickolio was called up from Triple A Rochester today. So that means, four of the six players involved in that much-debated trade last offseason are in uniform --- Erik Bedard, who is scheduled to pitch tomorrow against his old team., George Sherrill, who was named an all-star for the second straight year, Adam Jones, who was named to his first all-star game, and Mickolio. Also of note, Chris Tillman will represent the Orioles in the All-Star Futures game during the all-star break.

LINEUPS
Orioles
Roberts 2B
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Huff DH
Wigginton 1B
Reimold LF
Mora 3B
Wieters C
Andino SS
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Bergeson RHP

Mariners
Ichiro RF
Branyan 1B
Lopez 2B
Griffey DH
Gutierrez CF
Langerhans LF
Johnson C
Woodward 3B
Cedeno SS
---------
Washburn LHP

Here's a minor league report for perusing ...

HALMAN & McOWEN NAMED PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
West Tenn OF Greg Halman (left)(Southern League) and High Desert OF James McOwen (right) have been named Player of the Week for June 29-July 5. Halman hit .333 (10x30) with 8 home runs. McOwen has extended his California League record hitting streak to 42 games after batting .545 (12x22) with 2 doubles, one triple, one home run and 7 RBI. The streak is the longest since Brandon Watson (43 G) in 2007.

ALSO --- Here's Jay Yencich's Minor League Report for the USS Mariner, which always has some in depth stuff, plus Jay also does a nice job of answering some questions in the comment section.

Yesterday’s Results Standings Winner/Loser/Save
at Salt Lake 6, Tacoma 2 --- 39-44, 3rd, -10.0 --- L-Steve Shell (1-1)
West Tenn 11, at Huntsville 8 --- 2nd Half: 9-5, 1st, +1.0/1st Half: 27-43, 5th --- W-Luis Pena (1-0)
at High Desert 8, Visalia 0 --- 2nd Half: 7-4, T1st, +1.0/1st Half: 43-27, 1st --- W-JC Ramirez (6-4)
Kane County 8, at Clinton 2 --- 2nd Half: 5-5, T3rd, -3.0/1st Half: 40-30, 3rd --- L-Kenn Kasparek (4-5)
at Everett 15, Yakima 14 --- 10-6, 2nd, -2.0 --- W-Brandon Pullen (2-0)
at Pulaski 8, Danville 5 --- 3-10, 5th, -4.5 --- W-Jean Tome (1-2)

AAA Tacoma Rainiers (Pacific Coast League)
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Here's Mike Curto's game story
Pitching lines
RH Steven Shell (L, 1-1) 5.0,8,5,5,2,3,HR (92/58)
RH Joey Newby 3.0,3,1,1,2,2
With the Bats:
CF Jerry Owens 2x5
3B Chris Shelton 3x4, R
C Adam Moore 3x4, R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR
Rainiers Notes: RH Steven Shell made his first start with the Rainiers and took the loss allowing 8 this and 5 runs in 5.0 innings as the Rainiers fell to Salt Lake 6-2 on Sunday. C Adam Moore went 3- for-4 with a double and hit his 4th home run in the loss (first since 6/16). All-Star 3B Chris Shelton also added 3 hits and scored a run (7th 3-hit game). Right-handed reliever Joey Newby allowed one run and 3 hits in 3.0 innings. Since being called up from AA, Newby has allowed only one run in 6.1 IP (3 G). Tacoma All-Stars: 5 former Tacoma Rainiers were named to major league All-Star rosters: Felix Hernandez (played for Tacoma in 2005), Raul Ibañez (1996-2000), Brian Fuentes (2001), Ryan Franklin (1997-2001) and Adam Jones (2006-07)
Today’s probable starter:
RH Doug Fister (4-1, 4.20) at Salt Lake

AA West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (Southern League)
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Pitching Lines:
RH Luis Pena (W, 1-0) 5.0,6,3,3,3,3,HR (91/49)
RH Phillippe Aumont 2.0,1,1,1,1,2,HR
LH Danny Christensen 1.1,5,4,3,3,0
RH Anthony Varvaro (S, 3) 0.2,0,0,0,0,0
With the Bats:
LF Ezequiel Carrera 2x4, R, 2B, CS
CF Greg Halman 3x5, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 2 HR
RF Mike Wilson 4x4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 2B, HR, BB
3B Matt Mangini 2x5, R, RBI, HR
D-Jaxx Notes: - The Diamond Jaxx belted 5 home runs for the second consecutive game in an 11-8 win over the Huntsville Stars. West Tenn has won 4 straight games to improve to 9-5 in the 2nd half of the season, leading the Southern League North. CF Greg Halman went 3-for-5 with 4 runs scored, 2 home runs and 3 RBI. Halman has hit 2 homers in back-to-back games and leads the Southern League with 20 home runs. Since coming off the DL on June 25, Halman has recorded a hit in 10 of 11 games, including 7 home runs. RF Mike Wilson recorded a season-high 4 hits, including 3 extra base hits (2 2B, HR).
Today’s probable starters:
RH Justin Souza (5-6, 3.42) at Huntsville

A High Desert Mavericks (California League)
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Pitching Lines:
RH JC Ramirez (W, 6-4) 6.0,3,0,0,1,3
RH Natividad Dilone 2.0,0,0,0,1,5
RH Aaron Jensen 1.0,1,0,0,0,0
With the Bats:
CF Tyson Gillies 3x3, 3 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI
RF James McOwen 1x3, RBI, BB
LF Carlos Peguero 2x4, R, RBI, 2B
DH Joe Dunigan 1x3, HR, RBI
Mavericks Notes: Leadoff hitter Tyson Gillies went 3-for-3 with 2 home runs and RF James McOwen went 1-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 42 games in a 8-0 victory over Visalia. Starting pitcher JC Ramirez fired 6.0 shutout innings and RH Natividad Dilone struck out 5 of the 7 batters he faced in 2.0 innings in relief. DH Joe Dunigan also hit his 18th homer of the season, 3rd-best in the California League.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Steven Hensley (3-1, 4.14) vs. Visalia

A Clinton LumberKings (Midwest League)
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Pitching Lines:
RH Kenn Kasparek (L, 4-5) 3.2,6,5,1,3,2
RH Ryan Moorer 1.2,2,3,2,2,1
LH Greg Moviel 3.0,1,0,0,2,0
RH Cheyne Hann 0.2,0,0,0,0,0
With the Bats:
RH Steve Moss 1x1, 2 BB
DH Kris Sanchez 1x4, R, RBI, HR
Lumberkings Notes: The Kane County Cougars scored four runs after an error by shortstop Ogui Diaz in the third inning and strolled to an 8-2 win over the Clinton LumberKings. DH Kris Sanchez hit his 8th home run, 3rd in his last 5 games. 2B Luis Nunez has recorded a hit in 5 consecutive games (.400/8x20) and 12 of his last 13 games. Nunez ranks 6th in the Midwest League batting .327.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Maikel Cleto (0-0, 3.52) vs. Kane County

R Everett AquaSox (Northwest League)
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Game story and notes from the Everett Herald
Pitching Lines:
RH Taylor Lewis 3.1,7,8,8,2,4,3 HR
RH Philip Roy 1.2,3,0,0,0,2
RH Bradley Reid 0.0,4,3,3,0,0,HR
RH Christian Staehely 1.0,3,2,2,0,1
LH Brandon Pullen (W, 2-0) 2.0,1,0,0,1,5
RH Daniel Cooper (S, 4) 1.0,2,1,1,0,0,HR
With the Bats:
1B Gerardo Avila 3x5, 4 R, 6 RBI, 3B, GSHR
DH Juan Fuentes 4x5, 2 RBI
RF Ryan Royster 3x5, 3 R, 3B, RBI, 2 SB
AquaSox Notes: 1B Gerardo Avila (right) hit a grand slam and fell a double short of the cycle as Everett won a wild 15-14 game at home against the Yakima Bears. Avila led the Frogs’ offense (season-high 19 hits) with a double, triple, grand slam, 6 RBI, and 4 runs scored. DH Juan Fuentes chipped in with a 4 hit performance and 2 RBI. After starting the season 5-5, Everett has won 4 in a row and 5 of 6.
Today’s probable starter:
LH Nick Czyz (1-1, 3.31) vs. Yakima

Pulaski Mariners (Appalachian League)
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Pitching Lines:
RH Jean Tome (W, 1-2) 5.0,6,3,3,3,4
RH Jordan Merry 3.0,2,0,0,0,4
LH Anthony Vasquez 1.0,4,2,1,0,0
With the Bats:
LF Brandon Haveman 2x5, 2 R, RBI, HR, SB
2B Cesar Fuentes 3x4, 2 R
Pulaski Notes: Pulaski recorded a season-high 14 hits in a 8-5 win over Danville. After opening the season 0-5, Pulaski has won 3 of their last 8 games. LF Brandon Haveman, the Mariners 29th-round selection out of Purdue, went 2-for-5 with his first professional home run. University of Washington product Jorden Merry struck out 4 in 3.0 scoreless innings of relief.
Today’s probable starter:
RH Yao Wen Chang (0-1, 5.19) vs. Danville

Here's a look at who'll be playing in St. Louis on July 14th. Actually, there is one spot on each team open that will be decided by on-line van vote, which you can do here. For the American League, you can choose from Chone Figgins, Ian Kinsler, Brandon Inge, Adam Lind and Carlos Pena. For the National League you can choose from Cristian Guzman, Matt Kemp, Mark Reynolds, Pablo Sandoval and Shane Victorino.

As for the hometown club, obviously the two Mariners who should have definitely made it - Ichiro Suzuki (pictured hitting his inside the park HR a few years ago) and Felix Hernandez - did make the team. I'm not so sure Felix shouldn't get the starting nod over Zack Greinke, but with the game being in St. Louis, I'm sure Greinke who plays just down the road in KC will get the nod. (that's a blog post for another day).

Manager Don Wakmatsu lobbied for David Aardsma and Russell Branyan to earn spots. Neither made it, though I thought at least Branyan might get into the final voting. Both are worthy of consideration and columnist John McGrath believes both should have made it, but thinks it might be a good thing they didn't.

Every year, people chime in with who got snubbed and who wasn't deserving. Veteran writer Tracy Ringolsby offers some good thoughts.

As for the rest of the selections, well, I'm not going to go off about the fan votes for the starters. I've always believed the fans' vote should decide the starters. Now, had the fans voted in Manny Ramirez as a starter, my opinion may have changed. In the AL, obviously Dustin Pedroia, Derek Jeter and Josh Hamilton are all great players. But realistically either Aaron Hill or Kinsler , who should not be having to be voted in, should be starting at second, Jason Bartlett at shortstop and Torii Hunter in the outfield instead. A case could also be made for Kevin Youkilis starting over Mark Teixeira, but it's really pick'em there.

As for people left off, besides the two Mariners players, Texas pitcher Kevin Millwood has a legitimate gripe.

Also congrats to Adam Jones, who is making the first of what appears to be many all-star appearances and to classy veteran pitcher Tim Wakefield. The knuckleball pitcher is making his first all-star game at age 42 after 17 seasons in the bigs.

Over in the NL, my only disagreements are at catcher where Brian McCann should have started over Yadier Molina, who isn't even the best of the Molinas, but he might be the fastest, which is like saying a turtle is faster than a snail. But the game is being played in St. Louis and the Cardinals fans voted. In the outfield, Carlos Beltran is deserving every year, but this year he's been hurt quite a bit and the bone bruise on his knee that's sidelined him for the past few weeks will keep him out of the game. Either Justin Upton or Brad Hawpe should get the start instead.

Also Charlie "Cholly" Manuel took a page from the Tacoma Rainiers and added three first baseman to the reserve list meaning, he has four on the roster, which is interesting. And if 1B/3B Mark Reynolds gets voted in that would be five.

Congrats to former Mariner Ryan Franklin, who's now the Cardinals closer and made his first all-star game. Apparently Franklin teared up when his teammates gave him an ovation in the clubhouse upon hearing the news.

As for the NL starter, it should be Tim Lincecum without question.

Full rosters below

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