--RF Ichiro Suzuki homered off Boston LHP Jon Lester in the fifth and sixth innings Friday night. It was the fourth two-homer game of Ichiro's career and his first since July 30, 2005 against Cleveland. He had three hits against the lefty after being 2-for-10 against him in his career before Friday.
--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. 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.
