=== Seattle Mariners Team Report - May 23 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Seattle Mariners open a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins tonight at Safeco Field in a battle of division leaders.

The Mariners have won six of their last seven games and currently hold the best record in the American League at 30-16. Most recently, Seattle posted a 5-1 victory over the Royals Thursday in the rubber match of their three-game set.

Ichiro Suzuki cracked two hits, extending his hitting streak to 13 games, and scored twice to lead the Mariners, who lead the AL West by three games over Oakland.

Mariners shortstops Carlos Guillen and Mark McLemore combined to go 3-for-4 with an RBI and Ben Davis launched a solo homer for the Mariners.

Gil Meche (6-2) continued his winning ways, working 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing just six hits and two walks while striking out seven. Meche won his second straight start and has a 5-1 record over his last six.

Expected to take the mound for Seattle Friday is Jamie Moyer, who is riding a hot streak. The lefthander has won his last three starts to improve to 6-2 on the year.

Moyer is 10-6 against the Twins in his career with a 3.49 ERA over 24 games -- 21 starts.

The Mariners have scored 60 more runs than they have surrendered this season.

With his strong effort yesterday, Suzuki has upped his batting average to .319.