--RHP David Aardsma is carving out a role for himself as a second option as closer for Seattle. The Mariners are trying not to have RHP Brandon Morrow throw too much too often after an injury-shortened spring. So after Morrow either got into a game or warmed up five times in the season's first six days, he got Sunday off and Aardsma took over and got the last two outs of LHP Erik Bedard's first win of the year. Both Morrow and Aardsma have two saves already.
--LHP Erik Bedard came within two outs of his second career shutout Sunday. Bedard kept the ball near the bottom of the strike zone throughout, allowing just three hits and one walk. His only career shutout came against Texas on July 7, 2007 when he was pitching for Baltimore. --1B Russell Branyan stole a base in the second inning Sunday. It's part of the new-look Mariner plan under manager Don Wakamatsu to run when the opportunity arises and to put pressure on the defense whenever possible. Branyan has a dozen career steals with a season high of four.
BY THE NUMBERS: 6 -- The number of consecutive wins by Seattle over Oakland dating back to last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "My friends and my wife, who was at the game, were more amped up than I was." -- right-hander Shawn Kelley on appearing in his first big league game Friday against Oakland. He pitched a scoreless inning.
