While we are on the Mariner site

Here are a couple of other stories from seattlemariners.com

Rowland-Smith seeking winning ways

Two conclusions can be drawn from the first 10 Major League starts for left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith.

He'll surrender three or fewer runs over six innings, and neither win or lose the game.

Mr. No-Decision takes the mound for the next-to-last time this season on Monday night, when the Mariners begin their final homestand of the season against the American League West champion Angels.

Rowland-Smith, a southpaw from Australia, has a 4-2 record but has pitched much better than the record indicates. He has been lifted from games seven times with the lead, including the past three outings, and settled for a no-decision each time.

In the only game he left while trailing and the team lost, he departed after giving up one run with his team down, 1-0.

Mariners not focusing on record
GM Pelekoudas more concerned with auditioning youngsters

The Mariners could have kept veterans like Richie Sexson and Jose Vidro around, hoping they would turn things around and avoid a 100-loss season. But they wouldn't know how close -- or how far away -- first baseman Bryan LaHair is to earning a permanent job in the big leagues.

Same goes for catcher Jeff Clement, who recently had season-ending knee surgery, outfielder Wladimir Balentien and, more recently, catcher Rob Johnson and second baseman Luis Valbuena. Decisions to convert relievers Brandon Morrow and Ryan Rowland-Smith to starters also could have impacted the overall win-loss record.

"We are trying to win games," Pelekoudas said. "It's not like were cashing it in and not trying to win. But what's the difference between 99 losses and 100 losses?"

Ex-Rattlers bolded in the second story.