Mariners Ride Silva's Arm to Victory Over A's

Raul Ibanez has a three-hit night for Seattle.

Raul Ibanez (pictured) and Jose Lopez each went 3-for-5 to pace the Seattle offense in a 8-1 rout of the Oakland A's. Photo courtesy: Seattle Mariners/MLB

OAKLAND - Right-hander Carlos Silva has been everything the Mariners could ever want -- and then some -- during his first month in the rotation.

Silva provided another stout start, hot-hitting left fielder Raul Ibanez had his fourth three-hit game of the season and the Mariners defeated the Athletics, 8-1, on Thursday night in front of 10,164 at McAfee Coliseum.

Seattle (9-8) also extended its winning streak in Oakland to a franchise-best six straight dating to last season.

Silva picked up right where right-hander Felix Hernandez left off the previous night, and that seemed to get Ibanez's attention more than the sixth three-hit game of his career.

"Those guys did fantastic jobs," Ibanez said. "They pounded the strike zone and forced a very patient team to swing the bat. The only reason they did that is because they threw a lot of early count strikes."

One of the reasons both Silva and Hernandez were able to pound the strike zone the way they did is because they received some early run support. The Mariners scored three runs in the first inning and one in the second in Wednesday night's two-run victory, and they scored a season-best five runs in the third inning in Thursday night's series finale.

Patience at the plate paid off as three Mariners coaxed walks off Athletics starter Lenny DiNardo, one of them with the bases loaded, and designated hitter Jose Vidro drilled a single to left field to drive in the first two runs of the uprising. Seattle coasted from there and was never seriously threatened.

Silva (3-0) pitched the first seven innings and could have gone at least one more. But when the Mariners scored two insurance runs in the eighth inning, manager John McLaren gave the final two innings to his bullpen.

Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched the eighth and right-hander Brandon Morrow tossed a perfect ninth for a triumphant return to the relief corps.

"It was nice to see Morrow, who was really, really good," McLaren said.

While Morrow put an impressive finishing touch to the game, it was Silva who drew most of the postgame focus. He held the Athletics to four hits, struck out one and walked two.

While Hernandez and left-hander Erik Bedard, currently on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left hip, have received most of the attention as the top two starters in the rotation, don't forget about Silva.

"He is a big part of this rotation," McLaren said. "He competes. He always competes. He's a great competitor, and I like everything about him. He throws strikes, is a good team player and has been huge for us."

The big right-hander has pitched at least seven innings in each of his four starts.

"That means a lot," McLaren said. "It means you don't have to overwork your bullpen, your guys are fresh, have more velocity and better stuff."

One of the primary reasons the Mariners pursued Silva so diligently during the offseason was because of his reputation as being an innings-eater.

"We were talking a little bit before the game that when it was all said and done, [Miguel] Batista was the top free-agent pitcher that was signed last year," said McLaren. "We're feeling that way about Carlos [this year]. He has pitched outstanding. I have always admired watching him pitch, but to see him inside the clubhouse, the way he interacts with other players, is special. He's very, very special."

Giving him a five-run lead the way the Mariners did Thursday night makes him even better. Silva was able to relax and challenge the hitters even more than usual.

"He's great to play behind because he works so fast and throws so many strikes," Willie Bloomquist said. "He's a right-handed [Jarrod] Washburn. He makes the other team put the ball in play, and from a defensive standpoint, that keeps everyone on their toes. He just gets the ball and goes.

"It's an 'either I am going to get you or you are going to get me' mentality, and I like that."

Silva, who threw 98 pitches, was in trouble just a couple of times. Three of the hits and the lone run he surrendered came in the bottom of the fourth inning, but a double play limited the damage.

He would not allow the A's to cut any further into the lead.

Silva said the large cushion enabled him to pitch his game, challenge the hitters and make quality pitches when it was needed the most.

He is pitching, so far, exactly the way the Mariners hoped he would when they signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract.

"With or without a big contract, I am the same pitcher, trying to do my best every time I cross the line," Silva said. "I give everything every time. This team gave me a big opportunity and thank God everything is going well.

"To be honest with you, the offense has made the difference in my last two games. They gave me the lead. After they scored those runs, it made me more relaxed. That made the big difference. I don't have to be afraid to make a mistake."

Story by: Jim Street

Courtesy: MLB.com

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