UPDATE 8:35: It's a pretty exciting moment -- the first instant replay review in Safeco history, as the Angels' disputed the "foul" call by third-base umpire Chuck Merriwether on Vlad Guerrero's drive down the left-field line. Mike Scioscia argued that it was a home run. The three base umpires disappeared into the tunnel to check the replay. They came back after just 2 minutes and 28 seconds and upheld Merriwether's call. Vlad promptly singled up the middle.

Larry Stone here. Glad to be back at blog central while Geoff puts the finishing touches on his five-part analytical epic, summing up the Mariners' dismal season and the tumultuous offseason ahead. If you didn't catch today's first installment It's well worth a read, as is the whole series.

Meanwhile, the Mariners are still reeling from yesterday's devastating win, which makes their chances of finishing with the worst record much more problematical, especially with today's unfavorable pitching matchup. When you've got a big game to lose, Felix Hernandez is the last person you want to see on the mound.

Just kidding. Sort of. The Mariners are in a weird position, trying to win because of competitive pride,while everyone else -- and no doubt themselves, as well -- can see the benefit of finishing with the worst record. Just as an aside, I think that Stephen Strasburg is being deified perhaps a tad prematurely, and excessively (an exercise that I freely admit contributing to). He's a great prospect about whom scouts rave, but he's had one season as a college starter. Who's to say if he's truly going to be the savior of an organization? He might well be, but it's a big step from striking out 23 against Utah, and dominating the Netherlands in the Olympics, to getting out the Boston Red Sox.

Something to chew on as we prepare for Game No. 158. I'm tingling with excitement.

LINEUPS

Angels

Chone Figgins 3B
Garret Anderson LF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Vlad Guerrero DH
Torii Hunter CF
Kendry Morales RF
Erick Aybar SS
Mike Napoli C
Sean Rodriguez 2B

Jon Garland P

Mariners

Ichiro RF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Raul Ibanez DH
Jose Lopez 2B
Jeremy Reed CF
Wlad Balentien LF
Bryan LaHair 1B
Kenji Johjima C
Miguel Cairo 3B

Felix Hernandez P