Pregame news and notes, 6/10

After a rough four game series with the Yankees in which their only winning pitcher was Jeremy Bonderman, the Mariners’ season is on the ropes. Sitting ten games under .500, the time is now for them to start sweeping series or forever hold their peace. Fortunately, the American League worst Houston Astros come to town and the Mariners are fully capable of sweeping them. We’ll see how it plays out.

Season-high attendance watches 2-1 loss

A grand total of 43,389 fans watched the Mariners fall to the Yankees on Sunday. The season average of 21,000 took a bump because Felix Hernandez was on the hill and the Yankees always draw. Unfortunately, the Mariners didn’t support Felix, and Mariano Rivera shut them down in the ninth for his 23rd save. Maybe the Mariners can ride some of that attendance momentum into this week against Houston, but I doubt it.

Catricala traded to Oakland

Lost in the shuffle of promotions and demotions recently was the DFA’ing of Vinnie Catricala, a former Mariners minor leaguer of the year who was once thought to be the future at third base (thanks, Kyle Seager). As a result of his designation, the Mariners elected to trade him to the A’s for cash or a player to be named later. He’s yet another failed prospect in the long line of Jack Z mess-ups.

Iwakuma with chance to improve stellar numbers

Hisashi Iwakuma has been the best Mariners’ pitcher this season and the second-best in the American League behind Clay Buccholz. His 6-1 with a 1.94 ERA and has been a pleasant surprise in a season of bad pitching. His only loss is to Houston, however, and he looks to avenge that tonight. Here’s the lineup:

1. Bay RF
2. Seager 3B
3. Morales 1B
4. Morse DH
5. Ibanez LF
6. Shoppach C
7. Chavez CF
8. Ryan SS
9. Truinfel 2B