8:45 p.m. Galarraga gets Beltre again with two-on, two-out -- this time on a groundout to shortstop. The M's have stranded eight in five innings.

8:34 p.m. Dickey gets out of that bases-loaded jam. He can thank Raul Ibanez for nailing Dane Sardinha at the plate, and then he did a great job of getting Cabrera, who had absolutely smashed the ball during his first two at-bats. Still 2-0 Tigers.

By the way, Richie Sexson has drawn two walks today, and he has now walked 12 times in his past 12 games. He has a .444 on-base percentage in that span, which dates back to June 21 (which happens the first day of summer).

8:10 p.m. Ichiro just climbed that wall like he's Tenzing Norgay. But Miguel Cabrera would not be denied a second time, shooting a 0-1 Dickey pitch past the fence in right field. 2-0 Tigers.

8:07 p.m. Adrian Beltre strikes out, and the Mariners leave two stranded again. (By the way, the big screen at the ballpark said Beltre's favorite road stadium is Coors Field. I'd like to meet a hitter who doesn't prefer Coors.)

7:54 p.m. Big third inning for Dickey; he got through it in only six pitches (he's at 50). Also a big inning for the defense, which got a couple impressive plays from Jose Lopez and Raul Ibanez. Middle three, and it's still the Tigers up 1-0.

7:50 p.m. The M's let a good opportunity -- Jeremy Reed's one-out double -- pass by. Jeff Clement and Yuniesky Betancourt both fly out. Still 1-0 Tigers after two.

7:18 p.m. Carlos Guillen didn't hesitate on that R.A. Dickey 87-mile-per-hour fastball, sending it 391 feet to right field. Then Miguel Cabrera almost followed with another home run, but Jeremy Reed made a jumping catch at the track in center. 1-0 Tigers.

Before we get started, I wanted to point out two stories that have come out today:

-The New York Post is reporting Ichiro will be an outfield starter in the All-Star Game. Apparently, he'll be in center field.

-Jeff Weaver will pitch another day. He's been signed to a minor-league deal by the Cleveland Indians.

AND...as a reader point out, Jose Guillen got into a little tiff with the Royals pitching coach.

Manager Jim Riggleman isn't so sure. He surmises something might still be bothering Erik Bedard after Bedard went 99 pitches and five innings on Friday.

Riggleman had this to say before the game, when asked about what he or pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre could do to extend Bedard.

"I don't think he's really totally feeling right, with whatever was happening before -- hip, back and all that ... He may be pitching a lot more than he should.

"I don't think he's totally right yet. I might be wrong about that, but I do feel that he's given us everything he could give us."

Bedard hasn't pitched more than 100 pitches since May 28. That's also the last time he made it past the sixth. And the M's really could have used a longer start last night, because their bullpen has been doing an awful lot of work lately. Six relievers have combined to pitch 16 1/3 innings the past four games, and three times a pitcher has gone two or more innings.

At least they won't be a man short tonight. Yes, Miguel Batista is back.

"Batista is very much available and very likely to be in there tonight," Riggleman said.