SEATTLE –  Climbing above .500 remains an elusive goal for the Mariners after Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Cleveland again kept them from doing so. The M’s, now 24-25, haven’t boasted a winning record since winning their season opener behind Felix Hernandez. They lost their next three games.

Climbing above .500 remains an elusive goal for the Mariners after Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Cleveland again kept them from doing so. The M’s, now 24-25, haven’t boasted a winning record since winning their season opener behind Felix Hernandez. They lost their next three games.

SEATTLE – This was step-up time for Taijuan Walker. The Mariners had put another starting pitcher, James Paxton, on the disabled list earlier Friday, and their rotation needed a shot in the arm. Walker responded with the best start of his career in a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. He permitted just two singles over eight shutout innings while striking out eight and walking none.

This was step-up time for Taijuan Walker. The Mariners had put another starting pitcher, James Paxton, on the disabled list earlier Friday, and their rotation needed a shot in the arm. Walker responded with the best start of his career in a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. He permitted just two singles over eight shutout innings while striking out eight and walking none.

SEATTLE – After a frustrating fourth inning in which he allowed the Cleveland Indians to score enough runs to beat him, James Paxton appeared, at least, to be settling down in the fifth. He retired the first two batters of that inning, via a flyout to left field and a swinging strikeout, a welcome departure from the three hits and three runs the Mariners left-hander allowed an inning prior.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The sound of ball meeting bat seemed louder than any daily thunder that hits Florida during the summer. It was followed by a loud gasp from the meager crowd of 10,865 at Tropicana Field. There was little doubt that the ball Nelson Cruz had just demolished was going to end up over the fence. It was a matter of how far over. The ball finally came down with a splash into a tank of stingrays in the far reaches of right-center field. Yes, a tank of stingrays – called the “Touch Tank” because fans can pet them.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon need just one word to describe another great start by Felix Hernandez.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Kyle Seager simply refused to surrender the spotlight Tuesday night in leading the Seattle Mariners to a rollicking 7-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in 10 innings at Tropicana Field. Seager’s second homer of the game, a one-out drive to straightaway center, punctuated a wild ride that saw Fernando Rodney squander a three-run lead in the ninth inning.