Jays, Mariners continue series in Emerald City

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06/30/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A couple of second-place teams in their respective divisions hit the diamond at Safeco Field tonight as the Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays in the second of a three-game set.

Currently sporting the longest winning streak in the American League at six games, the Mariners moved 10 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2003 campaign and are now five games out of first in the AL West thanks to a 5-3 triumph on Friday night.

Jose Guillen totaled three hits, two RBI and scored once, while Ben Broussard contributed a two-run single. Starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn picked up his second straight win as he limited the Jays to two runs on nine hits over six innings.

Closer J.J. Putz again locked in the win for the Mariners as he earned his 23rd save in as many chances this season and has now converted 25 straight opportunities dating back to 2006.

Aaron Hill finished with two hits and a pair of runs scored, as well as one knocked in for the visitors. John McDonald, Alex Rios and Gregg Zaun all produced a pair of hits in the setback.

Dustin McGowan was tagged for five runs on eight hits and three walks over just five innings of work for Toronto.

Having yet to experience a loss in the month of June, Roy Halladay tries to close out the frame by logging his 10th win of 2007 when he takes the hill for the Blue Jays tonight in the Pacific Northwest.

Halladay, who last suffered defeat on May 10 against Boston, has played a significant part in earning the Jays six wins in his last six appearances. On Monday it was Minnesota who failed to break the 2003 Cy Young Award winner as he permitted five runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out four, over seven innings of work in what became an 8-5 triumph and Halladay's fourth consecutive win in as many starts.

Since coming off the DL on May 22 following an appendectomy Halladay, who is 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA in his career versus Seattle, has gotten significant offensive support from his teammates, with the club putting up a total of 52 runs in those six contests.

Countering for the Mariners tonight will be Miguel Batista as he shoots for his first win in nearly three weeks.

The righthander, now in his 13th season in the majors and has a career mark of 1-2 with a 1.10 ERA against the Jays all-time, has been stuck on seven wins since defeating San Diego on June 10 on the road, a game in which he appeared in relief.

More recently Batista surrendered a pair of solo home runs to Ken Griffey Jr. on Sunday and failed to figure into the 3-2 win over the Reds at home. He lasted six innings and permitted just the two runs, while striking out four, but was also guilty of hitting a pair of batters for the first time since the second week of April.

With his two hits on Friday Ichiro Suzuki saw his batting average rise to .364 on the season, currently second in the AL, while his 22 steals have him third in the league as well.

Of his 15 home runs this season, Richie Sexson has tallied five in the last 10 games, yet he is still batting a meager .211 with 58 strikeouts in 261 at- bats.

Now batting .291 for the Jays, Rios is first on the club with 17 home runs and is also tops with seven steals, not to mention tied for the team-lead with 50 strikeouts. Frank Thomas, who recently belted the 500th home run of his career, checks in with 13 long balls to place second on the unit.

The Blue Jays, only 15-22 on the road this season and 10 1/2 games out of first in the AL East, have won the season series with Seattle in each of the last three campaigns, but now the Mariners are 7-6 at home against Toronto dating back to the 2004 season. Seattle has one of the best home records in the league at 25-15 to this point in the campaign.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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