(My Sportsbook) - If it were up to the Seattle Mariners, they would play every game during the daytime against an American League Central opponent.

Twenty of the Mariners' AL-best 33 victories this season have come against teams from the AL Central. Seattle has gone 5-1 versus Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago, while posting a 4-1 mark versus Kansas City. The only team Seattle has a losing record against in the division is Minnesota (1-2).

Even more noteworthy is that Seattle is unbeaten in 13 day games this season, outscoring opponents 77-37 in those contests. The pitching staff has been especially stellar in matinee affairs with an ERA of 2.47.

The Mariners have racked up all this success despite the continued struggles of ace Freddy Garcia. Since last year's All-Star break, the righthander has just 9-11, including 4-6 this season with a 5.54 ERA.

On the other hand, Jamie Moyer has exceeded expectations in 2003. Since losing his first start of the season on April 2 against Oakland, the 40-year-old lefthander has gone 8-1 over his last 10 starts. He is currently tied with Toronto's Cory Lidle for the major league-lead in victories with eight.

Moyer, a 15-year veteran, captured his fifth straight start on Wednesday by leading the Mariners to a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The victory guaranteed the lefty a perfect May (5-0, 3.23 ERA).

Moyer threw seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits to go along with two strikeouts and two walks. He threw 98 pitches, 63 for strikes.

"Typical Jamie today, worked both sides of plate, put a little on, took a little off," Seattle manager Bob Melvin said. "He had a nice little cutter to both sides of the plate."

"He used the inside corner today more so than usual," catcher Dan Wilson said. "He had a lot of strikes in there, kept them honest. Then it opened up the changeup. Those are veteran hitters and they come up there with a plan. But Jamie was able to have control of that inside corner and that was really big for him."

Jeff Nelson worked a scoreless eighth and Kazuhiro Sasaki walked one in the ninth, but held on for his eighth save.

Wilson went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in for Seattle. Bret Boone hit his 13th home run of the season and Randy Winn scored twice in the victory.

WHO'S HOT

Second baseman Boone has gone 15-for-44 (.341) over his last 11 games with six home runs, 16 RBI and 12 runs scored.

WHO'S NOT

Mike Cameron is batting just .156 (5-for-32) with no homers, two RBI and eight strikeouts over his last eight games. On the season, the centerfielder is hitting only .264 with five homers and 29 RBI.

COMING UP

The Mariners resume their 12-game road trip Thursday when they open a four- game set with the Twins at the Metrodome. Seattle then begins its interleague schedule with series at Philadelphia and at NY Mets.