If you're a betting type, this game might be off the boards - Detroit's Justin Verlander, a Cy Young Award candidate, against Seattle's Ian Snell, who is not.

What precisely Snell is remains a question for the Mariners, who have seen him start three times and allowed 13 runs in 13 1/3 innings.

They like his stuff, think he's a bit of a head case, and are trying to work through the issues that have plagued him over the years.

Now 27, Snell could really use a quality start - and so could the Mariners.

So far, so good, sort of

Two innings in, Snell has matched zeroes with Verlander.

Still, it's unnerving that he throws about an equal number of strikes (20) and balls (18) in two innings, and he has walked to Tigers.

Small wonder when pitching coach Rick Adair was asked two hours ago what he expected from Mr. Snell, he smiled and said: "I have absolutely no idea."

Opportunity lost

The bottom of the order did it's job, with Kenji Johjima, then Josh Wilson picking up singles.

In the third: No score.

Rookie Michael Saunders singled with two outs, then stole second base. Josh-not-Jack Wilson singled him home with the first run of the night.

Ichiro hit his eighth home run, a shot into the stands in right field.

Mr. Snell has one thing pitchers covet even more than confidence - a lead.

In the fifth: Mariners 3, Tigers 0

Remember me?

Former Mariner Carlos Guillen, now the Detroit left fielder, hit a 3-2 pitch out for his fifth home run.

Manager Don Wakamatsu is big on giving the new guys something positive to take out of the game - and the Tigers are beginning to hit their outs hard. AFter Aubrey Huff walked, he made a move.

Snell is out after 5 2/3 innings and 98 pitches. Sean White on in relief, and Magglio Ordonez singled. Brandon Inge grounded out.

After six: Mariners 3, Tigers 1

Eighth inning, Mariners leading 3-1, in comes Mark Lowe in relief. If that sounds familiar, it should.

Lowe entered the game with the same score, in the same inning, 24 hours ago - and lost the game, 4-3.

Tonight, he got a ground b all from Guillen, then struck out Miguel Cabrera and Huff.
Better.

That'll do it

David Aardsma. 'nuff said. Goodnight, Detroit!

It's a final: Mariners 3, Tigers 1

Bill Hall, a 29-year-old third baseman with the Milwaukee Brewers, has been acquired by the Seattle Mariners for minor league pitcher Ruben Flores.

"We value Bill as a versatile player who can play the outfield and three infield positions," GM Jack Zduriencik said. "Billy has been a starting shortstop, third baseman and center fielder in his career. He has been a very solid Major League player who brings you experience and versatility. We look forward to Billy's contributions as he starts a new page in his career."
Hall will join the team in Detroit on Thursday if possible, and be added to both the 40 and 25-man rosters.

An 8-year veteran, Hall has a .253 career batting, although he's hitting .201 in 76 games with the Brewers this season.

Reportedly, the Brewers will pay the remainder of Hall's $6.8 million salary for this season, as well much of his $8.4 million deal next year.

Flores, 25, was 3-2 with 18 saves and a 4.39 ERA in 44 relief appearances this season in Class A. He was originally drafted by Seattle in 2003.