Langerhans' walk-off homer lifts Mariners over Rays

Late-game replacement Ryan Langerhans hit a 2-2 pitch from closer J.P. Howell into the right-field bleachers for a game-ending, two-run home run and the Seattle Mariners twice rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-6 in 11 innings on Friday.

Ryan Langerhans hit a game-ending, two-run home run in the 11th inning to beat the Rays 7-6.

***Can you believe that it's almost that time again? Time to think about the upcoming free agent class! We'll be highlighting the pros and cons of signing each free agent and at the end of each piece, we'll make a prediction, albeit a very early prediction, about what each guy could command on the market. Of course, these predictions are subject to change***At the beginning...

Some quick Mariners news for you regarding Chris Shelton, who has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Class AAA Tacoma. That leaves Shelton in a position to be called up by the Mariners in September. Had a chat with Michael Saunders, who is nearing his two-week mark in the big leagues. Saunders has already made an adjustment to the stance that helped him put up those big numbers...

It's been exactly one week since the Mariners made the no-brainer move to trade Jarrod Washburn, once they were fairly certain they'd fallen out of the playoff race to a reasonable degree. Remember, the whole "let's re-create 1995'' type of thinking is great for fans, but not so much for executives trying to build a baseball team. We can see from the results...

The Mariners have sent first baseman Chris Shelton back to Triple-A Tacoma after he spent a month with Seattle.

Exactly why bobbleheads — like the Ken Griffey Jr. figurines being passed out at tonight's Mariners game — are so wildly popular might not be immediately apparent to some. But their popularity is widespread and indisputable, and the largest manufacturer of the tchotchkes is a stone's throw away.

The status of Seattle pitcher Erik Bedard and his fraying left shoulder will wait a few more days.

Ian Snell's start did not go anywhere near as planned tonight, as he made it through only four outs, but not before he allowed three runs on two hits and six walks. Afterward, he said the anxiety of playing for the first time at Safeco got to him.

Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo had two hits for Tacoma

7:09 P.M.: Jack Wilson's first chance at Safeco as a Mariner...and he boots it for an error. Pssst...it's not the Mariners. The U.S. Navy Parachute Team "Leap Frogs" just completed an impressive display during the National Anthem, with four parachuists flying into the stadium in succession, the last one carrying the flag. Three landed in the target that was placed...

The Seattle Mariners on Friday optioned left- handed pitcher Jason Vargas to Triple-A Tacoma and selected the contract of right-hander Doug Fister from Tacoma.

The Rays are preparing for tonight's game at the end of a busy day, and the lineup has some news too, with B.J. Upton dropped to eighth against Seattle's Felix Hernandez.

Chris Woodward is joining the hottest pennant race in baseball. The veteran infielder, designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday when Adrian Beltre was activated, was claimed off waivers today by the Red Sox. Pitcher Billy Traber was designated for assignment to make room for Woodward, who is well known by Red Sox personnel from his days with the Toronto Blue Jays. Read more...

Brad Nelson and Mike Carp each hit their 12th home runs of the season, leading the Tacoma Rainiers to a 5-2 win at Round Rock (Texas) on...