Up next: Mariners

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published May 27, 2005

WHAT'S NEW: There are rumblings of a shakeup in the lineup, especially after 21 losses when scoring three or fewer. Seattle is 13th in the AL in home runs and total bases, 12th in hits, 11th in runs and 10th in batting average.

INJURIES: The Mariners have seven players on the disabled list, including infielder Pokey Reese (shoulder), infielder Scott Spiezio (left oblique) and pitcher Bobby Madritsch (shoulder).

STREAKS: Seattle has won at least 10 games in May every season since 1979. But at 6-16, the team will have to win four of its final six to keep the streak alive. WHO'S HOT: There always is Ichiro. The rightfielder has hits in 37 of 46 games, has not gone consecutive games without a hit and needs 15 to reach 1,000. He has hits in 15 of his past 18 games (23-for-72) and is sixth in the league with a .324 average, second with 15 stolen bases and third with 61 hits.

WHO'S NOT: After starting the season without allowing a home run in 12 appearances, reliever J.J. Putz has allowed four home runs, including two grand slams, in his past six.

SERIES: The season's first meeting. Seattle leads 41-28 all time and is 22-12 at Tropicana Field.

KEEP IN MIND: The Mariners are 1-9 against left-handed starters.

THEY SAID IT: "I get disappointed when I see the results. But as far as disheartened or discouraged ... no, not even a little bit." - manager Mike Hargrove in the Seattle Times on his team's performance.

[Last modified May 27, 2005, 00:40:18]