He has at least one hit in each of the five games and already has two three-hit games. He has four RBI, which is already one-third of the total of 12 he had last year as a part-time player with the New York Mets.

With that kind of production from the man who ostensibly is his fourth outfielder, manager Don Wakamatsu will have to find more ways to work Chavez into the lineup once Ichiro comes off the disabled list Wednesday.

Wakamatsu said Friday he'll look to get extra time for Chavez, but it won't be as the leadoff hitter. That role is reserved for Ichiro, he of the eight consecutive 200-hit seasons. Chavez might, however, bat second with some regularity if he continues to produce.

MARINERS 5, A'S 4: RHP David Aardsma collected the final six outs of the game for his first big-league save, preserving the first major league win for RHP Chris Jakubauskas.

After LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith gave up unearned runs in the first and second inning and struggled with his control throughout, manager Don Wakamatsu turned to the rookie Jakubauskas with two out and two on in the fourth. He hit DH Jason Giambi to load the bases, then got two routine outs.

Aardsma took over in the eighth with the Mariners holding a 5-4 lead and set the A's down in order in both innings.

The Mariners got all five of their runs in the second inning, but not without a bit of luck. Seattle collected five consecutive hits off LHP Brett Anderson, including broken-bat hits by 1B Russell Branyan and C Kenji Johjima. SS Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run double and LF Endy Chavez added a two-run single off the glove of 2B Mark Ellis.