Pregame news and notes, 6/6

The Mariners open up a four-game set with the Yankees tonight at Safeco Field at 7:10. Aaron Harang faces off against Phil Hughes as the Mariners look to bounce back from yesterday’s devastating defeat. I previewed the series with Yanks Go Yard’s Ricky Keeler on his radio show last night. Give it a listen! Now, to news and notes.

Mariners make history in 16 inning loss to White Sox

There were a few historical implications from last night’s 7-5 loss to Chicago. First, it marked the first time in MLB history two teams who had gone scoreless for the first nine innings of the game scored at least five runs each in extras. Secondly. Kyle Seager hit the first ever extra-inning game-tying grand slam in MLB history. The M’s also became the first team to score five or more runs to tie a game in the 14th inning or later in baseball history. All that, and they still lost and wasted a great start from Hisashi Iwakuma. Baseball is frustrating sometimes.

Beavan up, Noesi down

With most of the bullpen exhausted in yesterday’s marathon, the Mariners needed to make a move. Harang and Jeremy Bonderman start the next two days, and the Mariners had to insure them, in case one put up anatrcious start or got hurt. As a  result, Seattle demoted Hector Noesi, last night’s loser and pitcher of the 14th through 16th innings, and brought up long reliever/starter Blake Beavan from Tacoma. With only Tom Wilhelmsen fresh, Harang will need to eat innings to rest the M’s bullpen.

Saunders, Shoppach back in lineup

Despite combining for nine strikeouts in the seven and eight holes of the Mariners lineup yesterday and playing all 16 innings, slumping Kelly Shoppach and Michael Saunders will start again in those slots. The Mariners have a depleted bench due to injuries, and Eric Wedge has yet to start Alex Liddi or Brandon Bantz at all since their respective promotions. Here’s the lineup for an important game where the M’s need to seize back momentum.

• Bay RF
• Seager 3B
• Ibanez LF
• Morales 1B
• Morse DH
• Franklin 2B
• Saunders CF
• Shoppach C
• Ryan SS