OAKLAND, Calif. – So, you like fireworks to mark the nation’s birthday? How about four two-run homers Friday night by the Mariners in a 9-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Yes, it was July 3. But the A’s had a full house of 35,067 on hand at the O.co Coliseum, in anticipation of postgame fireworks to mark Independence Day.

OAKLAND, Calif. — J.A. Happ acknowledged his frustration through a series of losses and no-decisions that had piled up since early May. He got a breather Friday night.

OAKLAND, Calif. — This was another one of those games Thursday night for the Seattle Mariners that, if viewed in isolation, might not seem so bad. Veteran Oakland lefty Scott Kazmir is among the American League leaders in earned-run average. So mustering little in a 4-0 loss…OK, it happens.

Veteran Oakland lefty Scott Kazmir is among the American League leaders in earned-run average. So mustering little in a 4-0 loss…OK, it happens.

SAN DIEGO – Taijuan Walker was sailing along with a one-hit shutout Wednesday afternoon when Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon opted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. The Mariners had a one-run lead at time, and McClendon was gambling they could get to San Diego starter James Shields, who had pushed past 100 pitches.

SAN DIEGO — Taijuan Walker pitched one-hit ball for six innings to win his fifth straight start, Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz homered and the Seattle Mariners beat the punchless San Diego Padres 7-0 on Wednesday.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – An inability to close out a series with a victory continues to cripple the Mariners’ ability to gain any traction or sustained success. This one, though, was particularly gut-wrenching: a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on a wild pitch in the 10th inning Sunday at Angel Stadium.

An inability to close out a series with a victory continues to cripple the Mariners’ ability to gain any traction or sustained success. This one, though, was particularly gut-wrenching: a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on a wild pitch in the 10th inning Sunday at Angel Stadium.

Wednesday: In a week or two, Hisashi Iwakuma will come off the disabled list. The M’s will have to find the right-handed pitcher a spot on the roster and in the rotation. Who they decide to part with when that happens will tell us a lot about the future of this team.  Why am I worried about this?  Over the years you could almost always count on the Mariners to make the most inexpensive decision, not necessarily the best one. It’s been a hallmark of the administration.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – As it turns out, the Mariners had a reason to breathe easier Saturday afternoon after their 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. It looked a lot worse for a while.