The last time lefty Ryan Feierabend had a chance to show he belonged in the major leagues, the Mariners didn't have room in their rotation. That was spring training, when the Mariners not only were stocked with starters, they were confident pitching would make them contenders in the AL West.
Neither the rotation nor the high hopes have held together in a disappointing season, and Feierabend has another opportunity to impress the team when he pitches for the Mariners on Friday against the A's. With so much uncertainty about the state of the 2009 Mariners, this is Feierabend's best chance to make himself part of the offseason picture. "I look at every year as an opportunity to show what I can do at this level," Feierabend said. "Next year, nothing is set in stone. I'm looking forward to showing what I can do, and hopefully next spring I can get an even better look."
It will be Feierabend's second start since being called up from Class AAA Tacoma after RHP Carlos Silva went on the 15-day disabled list. Feierabend's 2008 debut was dismal Sunday at Minnesota (six runs in three innings). Feierabend was pitching on only three days of rest.
"I've never done that before," he said. "I don't want to make excuses, but this time around I'll be on my normal rest and hopefully things will be different for me."
A'S 2, MARINERS 0: LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith made his best start since being converted from a reliever, holding the A's to four hits in seven innings.
RF Emil Brown's solo homer in the sixth helped hand Rowland-Smith his second loss this season and his first since April 23 in relief against the Orioles. The Mariners had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth, but SS Yuniesky Betancourt grounded into a game-ending double play against A's RHP Brad Ziegler.
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