The bar had been set high for Taijuan Walker.

One hit and one run. It was enough Friday night for Felix Hernandez, with an assist from the Mariners’ bullpen, in a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field.

Scott Servais has called it “swag.” It’s a word the Mariners’ manager likely heard from his daughters or one of his players. He also has used “confidence” and “belief” in his descriptions. Robinson Cano labeled it “knowing you are good.”

Surely it can’t be a coincidence that Howard Lincoln’s leave-taking came on the day the Seattle Mariners found themselves atop the American League West standings, two glorious games over .500.

No sweep.

In what amounts to an internal shakeup of the Mariners’ ownership group, Nintendo of America announced plans to sell a significant part of its interest to the other members of the club’s board of directors. The result is minority owner John Stanton will replace Howard Lincoln as the club’s chairman, chief operating officer and designated control person to Major League Baseball.

Robinson Cano hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, Nathan Karns threw seven shutout innings and the Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 11-1 on Tuesday night.

On a night when Kyle Seager hit the 100th homer of his career and turned in a sparkling defensive play, it was still hard to pull the spotlight away from Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker.

Wade Miley overcame a shaky first inning that included a home by slumping Albert Pujols to post his first victory in a Mariners uniform, helping Seattle beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-4 Sunday.

Felix Hernandez said he was good to go Saturday after being scratched from a scheduled start Friday because of flu-like symptoms. Mostly, he was.