--SS Yuniesky Betancourt was on the bench for two games, in part for inconsistencies on defense and in part because he wouldn't heed advice to work the count more. 

The Mariners aren't calling it a bullpen-by-committee because they don't much like the sound of that strategy. 

--RF Ichiro Suzuki homered off Boston LHP Jon Lester in the fifth and sixth innings Friday night. 

The Mariners aren't calling it a bullpen-by-committee because they don't much like the sound of that strategy. 

--RF Ichiro Suzuki homered off Boston LHP Jon Lester in the fifth and sixth innings Friday night. 

Big Papi is now the big pinch-hitter. 

Mariners5Red Sox4 

The Boston Red Sox have finally benched slugger David Ortiz. 

Ichiro Suzuki hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and connected twice overall, and the Seattle Mariners rallied from four runs down to beat the Boston Red Sox, playing without a benched David Ortiz, 5-4 on Friday night. 

Many believe Ichiro Suzuki is so good, he can hit home runs whenever he wants or needs to. 

The Mariners have removed struggling Brandon Morrow from the closer role. 

SANFRANCISCO TheGiants do not plan to use Monday's off-day to alter their rotation, which more or less ensures that Tim Lincecum will not pitch in next weekend's rare interleague series at Seattle. 

--INF Ronny Cedeno will wind up getting three consecutive starts this week for the first time this season. 

--RF Ichiro Suzuki's single in the eighth inning Thursday gave him a hit in each of the eight games of the road trip. 

The Mariners' pitching concerns aren't getting any closer to being solved.