SCOUTING REPORT: The Mariners have lost six in a row and just about all of their once sturdy lead in the American League West. As recently as Wednesday, Seattle had a four-game lead over Oakland.
The Mariners limp home after a four-game sweep by Boston at Fenway Park and are bringing up memories of last season's team. Seattle held a lead deep into August but dropped off the pace and finished third.
"We're not playing our best," Mariners manager Bob Melvin told the Associated Press. "But it'll turn."
It could turn with what appears to be a soft stretch in the schedule for the Mariners. They'll face the Rays, Baltimore, Texas and Anaheim in the next 22 games.
The Mariners and Rays will meet six times over the next 10 days, including three games at Tropicana Field next week.
DISABLED LIST: 2B Greg Colbrunn.
CONNECTIONS: Rays manager Lou Piniella makes his second return to Seattle, where he managed for 10 seasons. He brought most of his staff - bench coach John McLaren, pitching coach Chris Bosio, hitting coach Lee Elia and bullpen coach Matt Sinatro - with him from Seattle. ... In the deal that brought Piniella to Tampa Bay, the Rays sent outfielder Randy Winn to the Mariners as compensation. Winn played for the Rays from 1998 to 2002. Going from Seattle to Tampa Bay in the deal was infielder Antonio Perez.
SEASON SERIES: The Mariners took two of three from the Rays July 11-13 in Seattle. The Mariners lead the series 37-19, including 18-11 in Seattle.
[Last modified August 26, 2003, 01:32:12]
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