</p> Pretty sure the idea of breaking up the M's won't encounter much resistance in Seattle, so we might just have ourselves a movement here. I tried to spot-start Cleveland righty Josh Tomlin in a couple leagues on Wednesday, because he was facing MLB's lowest-scoring team. That decision did not go so well. Tomlin allowed 11 hits and six runs to the Mariners, failing to make it through the fifth inning. Seattle cruised 9-2.
That team has scored 26 runs over the past two days, which is something like 55 percent of their year-to-date total. (No, that's a lie. Only six percent). Wily Mo Pena went 3-for-3 with a fourth-inning bomb, Dustin Ackley was 3-for-5, and third baseman Kyle Seager managed to go 4-for-4, raising his average to .312. Seager had three hits in each game of Tuesday's double-header, so it would be safe to say he's feeling comfortable at the plate. The 24-year-old delivered a .333/.399/.495 line across two minor league levels earlier this season, with 33 doubles, seven homers and 11 steals. And he's raking now. Do whatever you need to with this information.
I'm beginning to lose faith in the M's as a streamer-friendly team. Or maybe I'm just losing faith in Tomlin. I've never lost faith in my man Wily Mo.
Out of necessity, tonight's Closing Time will be unusually short and crisp. This would be the time to dial-down your expectations, if they aren't already at rock bottom. Whatever I lack in content, I'll make up for in dazzling color images. Let's jump...
Other Fish notes: Logan Morrison returned, hit third, homered, went 2-for-4. Add wherever you need a touch of power. Steve Cishek picked up a two-out save, when Edward Mujica couldn't close the deal. Leo Nunez spent the day in the penalty box, following a messy 37-pitch blown save on Tuesday. Nunez has allowed eight hits and nine runs over his last three appearances.
And one more thing: Hanley Ramirez may begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, so don't give up hope. (I'm speaking to the six of you who didn't give up hope in May).
• James Loney continued the surge, with another three-hit performance, nudging his average over .270. And the Juan Rivera show continued, too. He gave us a double, a homer and three RBIs. Am I the only person starting him every day, in any league? It's possible.
• The ninth inning was a small adventure for Bobby Parnell, facing Philly...
...but he escaped, delivering two Ks in the process. That's save No. 1. I've owned him on-and-off in five leagues for like two months, and he now has one save. So it's a Pyrrhic save.
• Houston's Brian Bogusevic has enjoyed his stay in Colorado, going 7-12 with three doubles and a homer in the three-game series. The Astros now head to San Francisco, and the 27-year-old Bogusevic has found his way to the approved list, depending on your team needs. He's hitting .329 (well ahead of his minor league production), and he offers mild power and speed.
• By now, you've probably heard that the Giants were awarded the waiver claim on Heath Bell. This of course does not mean that Bell is headed to San Francisco, nor does it mean that Brian Wilson's injury is season-threatening. In all likelihood, nothing happens here ... but you never know. If you're speculating, go with Luke Gregerson, despite the recent shakiness (and the odd lack of Ks).
• It's all sunshine for Stephen Strasburg, as he continues to recover from TJ surgery. He's expected to toss 70-80 pitches on Saturday, in a Triple-A rehab start. Here's Davey Johnson with an update:
"I don't think [Strasburg] can come here before Sept. 6," Johnson said. "That was the date that I heard. But where he's at, the number of pitches, the consensus is he needs a couple more outings, then bring him back here."
September 6? OK. Deal. I'm in.
• It's not every day you see a walk-off fielder's choice. Not your finest work, Mr. Inge. But I'm not sure that game can officially end until Alex Avila's seventh-inning home run finally lands, so don't put it in the books just yet.
• Brett Lawrie has probably arrived at the point where we don't need to alert you to every big game. But just so you know, he had another big game. Not as big as the two-homer performances by Coco Crisp and Nick Swisher, but big nonetheless.
And that's all you get for now. Thank you for participating in Mariner appreciation night. Bonus points if you can find a young Brandon Funston in this pic...
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