--LF Wladimir Balentien was lauded before the game Wednesday by manager Don Wakamatsu for the efforts he'd been making trying to drive the ball to the opposite field. As if to prove the manager's point, Balentien drove a double to right to bring home the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th against Texas.
--DH Ken Griffey Jr.'s 614th career homer came on Sunday in Minnesota, and the shot off Twins LHP Jose Mijares was the 100th homer Griffey has hit off a rookie pitcher. According to Elias Sports Bureau, other rookies to have been stung by Griffey include RHP Kevin Appier (1990), RHP Mariano Rivera (1995), RHP Eric Gagne (2000), RHP Ben Sheets (2001) and RHP Jeff Francis (2005). BY THE NUMBERS: 26 -- Metrodome home runs by Ken Griffey Jr., including a game-tying shot in the eighth inning Sunday. That's the most for him in any road ball park.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The test is all year, not six games." -- DH Ken Griffey Jr., on the Mariners' recently ended six-game losing streak.
