Mariners Chase Postseason Awards

The men who are putting the Seattle Mariners on baseball’s post-season planning map are, in return, finding themselves in the running for postseason honors Mariners have not traditionally been linked with.

Randy Johnson, Cy Young Award winner, has a ring to it.

So does Edgar Martinez, Most Valuable Player.

Martinez would have to collapse not to win his second A.L. batting title, Vince Coleman might win his seventh stolen base crown - though it would be his first in the American League.

And a half dozen players having career seasons would suddenly become national stories should Seattle win the wild card race and enter the A.L. playoffs.

In addition to Johnson, Martinez and Coleman, they include Mike Blowers, Tino Martinez and reliever Jeff Nelson.

Notes:

Seattle won’t be sending ‘thank you’ cards to the A.L. schedulemakers soon. Months ago, the Mariners tried to change the starting time of their Sept. 27 home game with California and were told that wasn’t possible. So for what could be the biggest series in franchise history - Seattle at Texas, beginning Sept. 28 - the Mariners won’t be able to leave for Arlington until well after midnight following their night game. … Reliever Bill Risley’s daughter, Kiana, continues to improve since scalding her throat Thursday with hot tea, but the Mariners are not certain when he will return to the team… . Edgar Martinez went 0-for-3 and lost his 14-game hitting streak.