The top three threats in the lineup other than Branyan (.273 with two homers) are Ken Griffey Jr. (.206), Adrian Beltre (.200) and Jose Lopez (.195).

Manager Don Wakamatsu was counting on those four to be the top run producers for Seattle, and he's still waiting to see that.

"When you don't have that one extra bat in there, I think there is a tendency on the other guys to press too much," Wakamatsu said. "They know the same statistics you do. There is a sense of urgency when you are missing one of your middle of the lineup guys."

Branyan hurt his back sliding and scoring in the fifth inning Friday night against Detroit. The Mariners scored five runs in that inning, but Seattle scored just two runs the rest of the series. And the 3-4-5 hitters were a combined 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position once Branyan was unavailable.

TIGERS 8, MARINERS 2: Seattle was no match for 20-year-old RHP Rick Porcello Sunday as he led the Tigers to an easy win.

Seattle allowed just five hits and one run in seven innings as the Mariners, who had been 2-0-1 in their first three series, lost a series for the first time in 2009.

RHP Carlos Silva, who has historically had trouble with Detroit, gave up three runs in the fourth inning with the game tied at 1-all, and the Mariners were unable to rally against Procello. Silva has now lost his last four decisions against the Tigers.