The Seattle Mariners headed into 2008 with high expectations. 

Ryan Rowland-Smith has been a bright spot for the Mariners in an otherwise gloomy season. 

Kenji Johjima hit a three-run homer during a six-run first inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 7-3 on Saturday. 

Kenji Johjima hit a three-run homer during a six-run first inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 7-3 on Saturday. 

Kenji Johjima hit a three-run homer during a six-run first inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 7-3 on Saturday. 

--LHP Erik Bedard got good news when it was determined during Friday's surgery on his left shoulder that there was no tear, not in his labrum and not in his rotator cuff. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Carlos Silva (back pain) will miss his Sept. 

--LHP Erik Bedard got good news when it was determined during Friday's surgery on his left shoulder that there was no tear, not in his labrum and not in his rotator cuff. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Carlos Silva (back pain) will miss his Sept. 

Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln and president Chuck Armstrong have been beaten up by the team's fan base over this year's 100-plus losses. 

Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln and president Chuck Armstrong have been beaten up by the team's fan base over this year's 100-plus losses. 

Although the Seattle Mariners are closing out one of franchise's worst seasons this weekend, Ichiro Suzuki has still managed to have a historic year. 

Jose Lopez ignited a pair of five-run innings for Seattle with two homers, Rob Johnson added his first career home run and the Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 10-8 on Friday night. 

Jose Lopez ignited a pair of five-run innings for Seattle with two homers, Rob Johnson added his first career home run and the Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 10-8 on Friday night. 

In a season of underachievement, one of the few positives for Seattle was the consistency of Jose Lopez, dispelling any thought that he can't be an everyday contributor.