NEW YORK — Perhaps the P in his initials really stands for Power.

NEW YORK – The debate about his ability to handle high-leverage situations or to close out late-inning leads will continue to be discussed, despite leading the American League with nine saves in August.

NEW YORK – The speculation lacked the intensity of the August trade deadline. The social media chaos was subdued in comparison to the hot stove season.

Not since 2001 have the Mariners entered September in first place.

SEATTLE – They found a way to win this one without their star center fielder.

Mariners star center fielder Julio Rodriguez, in the midst of one of the hottest-hitting stretches in MLB history, was scratched from the lineup just minutes before the start of the game Tuesday against Oakland because of a sore left foot.

It’s impossible for him not to be noticing, and improbable for him not to be considering.

SEATTLE – The sheer volume of games – usually six per week – over the course of a 162-game season leads to a randomness in results in baseball different from most sports. It is not uncommon for the worst team in Major League Baseball to beat the best team on more than one occasion.

The crowd roared, and Andres Munoz hopped and skipped off the mound and greeted catcher Cal Raleigh on the infield grass.

SEATTLE – When Andres Munoz finished overwhelming the Kansas City Royals, firing 100-mph fastballs and striking out all three hitters he faced in the bottom of the ninth to close out a 3-2 victory over the Royals, the Seattle Mariners stood alone atop the American League West standings for the first time this season.

SEATTLE – The statement couldn’t be argued with, unless you were to contend that it was too generous.