--RHP Mark Lowe had been throwing in the 90s in his first few appearances but didn't crack 90 Sunday in an inning of work against the Tigers. He said his arm is fine, that it was a matter of strategy. "You can tell when someone is sitting on the fastball, and they were," Lowe said. "So it made sense to go after them with sliders to try to keep them off balance."
--RHP David Aardsma seems to be settling in as the Mariners' eighth-inning choice out of the bullpen, unless manager Don Wakamatsu needs him to pitch the ninth. "It's obvious they've been using me in the eighth inning and, when (RHP Brandon) Morrow's been down, for the ninth," he said. "It's easier knowing I don't have to start stretching in the fourth inning. You can be very specific and focused in your preparation." --C Rob Johnson is getting most of the work behind the plate with C Kenji Johjima on the disabled list, although backup C Jamie Burke started Sunday. Seattle pitchers have an ERA of 2.16 when Johnson's been behind the plate this season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Wild pitches thrown by the Mariners Sunday. That's one shy of the club record. RHP Carlos Silva, RHP Mark Lowe and RHP Shawn Kelley each threw one.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He just keeps getting better and better." -- Manager Don Wakamatsu on LHP Erik Bedard.
