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Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

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June 25, 2008 3:49 PM

Game thread, Mariners vs. Mets, June 25

Posted by Larry Stone

I've got to say, this team is really in disarray -- players under-achieving up and down the lineup, a constant tension hanging over the clubhouse, non-stop threats of firings and player movement. I honestly can't believe that I picked them to contend this year -- even win their division.

You can stick a fork in the first baseman, but I'm afraid they're stuck with him, because no team in their right mind would take on his salary. The interim manager is a nice guy, and he's trying hard, but he's only keeping the seat warm until Bobby Valentine comes over from Japan.

But enough about the Mets.

The Mariners are looking for their first three-game sweep of the season tonight. Miguel Batista is looking for his first win since May 11. (Not a good sign when three of your five starters haven't won in more than a month; Washburn hasn't won since May 5; Silva hasn't won since April 17).

Yuniesky Betancourt is getting a rest because Jim Riggleman wants to keep Willie Bloomquist in the lineup. Scoff it you want, but Bloomquist has been playing well during this road trip, offensively and defensively.

Is the team responding better to Riggleman? I think it's too early to say -- they've only played five games, But if Brandon Morrow hadn't been hurt, they probably would have won four of them instead of three. I tend to think that it's a matter of it not being possible for them to stay at rock bottom forever. That said, Riggleman is a no-nonsense guy that may be laying down the law a little more firmly than McLaren. But let's wait a few weeks before we start to make judgments on Riggleman's impact.

LINEUPS

Mariners

Ichiro RF

Jose Lopez 2B

Raul Ibanez LF

Adrian Beltre 3B

Jeremy Reed CF

Richie Sexson 1B

Jeff Clement C

Willie Bloomquist SS

Miguel Batista RHP

Mets

Jose Reyes SS

Luis Castillo 2B

David Wright 3B

Carlos Beltran CF

Carlos Delgado 1B

Fernando Tatis RF

Marlon Anderon LF

Brian Schneider C

John Maine RHP

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