Notebook | M's lose hair but not losing streak

ARLINGTON, Texas — A whole lot of cutting was the order of the day for the Mariners — both of hair and tension.

The team entered Wednesday mired in a five-game losing streak and was greeted upon arrival at the visitors clubhouse by closer J.J. Putz and some clippers. Assisted by third baseman Adrian Beltre, who did the majority of the cutting and clipping, and first baseman Richie Sexson, the entire team, most of the coaches and manager John McLaren began the game minus some hair.

The ploy seemed to work when the Mariners rallied for a 6-5 lead, but Texas rallied for a 7-6 win.

Mariners starter Jeff Weaver, who was flying home to Seattle ahead of his start tonight, and bullpen coach Jim Slaton were the only ones who balked.

"I've got some things I've got to accomplish first," Weaver said, adding that he told Putz what they were and will lose the hair once he does.

Presumably, one of those goals is to win tonight's start.

"When you've got a dome like mine and ears like mine, you've got to make sure you accomplish some goals before shaving your hair off," Weaver added with a chuckle.

Ben Broussard wound up sporting a Mohawk hairdo by the time the clippers got through with him. Jose Vidro had his hair buzz cut right down to the nubs. A reluctant Felix Hernandez was the final player to go through with the procedure, teased and egged on by his teammates.

"Oh, he will," relief pitcher George Sherrill said, watching Hernandez from across the room. "It's either a haircut or two black eyes and a haircut."

Sherrill wasn't entirely serious. But it was made clear everyone was expected to participate in the ritual, which served to lighten the pregame mood considerably. Hernandez eventually emerged from the bathroom area, his newly-cropped hair hidden under a baseball cap.

McLaren said Putz phoned him the night before to tell him of his plans and asked the manager to participate.

"Hope it grows back, boys!" McLaren said, emerging from the barber's chair minus much of his former hair. "It's a gamble."

Guillen talks postponed

Talks aimed at a contract extension for right fielder Jose Guillen have been put off until the middle of next week as the team focuses on Tuesday's trade deadline.

The Mariners are expected to make Guillen an offer in early August, with a final decision expected by mid-month.

Guillen has a mutual option for next season, but has told the club he's not interested in returning for just one more year. Neither Guillen nor general manager Bill Bavasi would comment on the status of any negotiations.

Guillen entered Wednesday hitting .281 with 12 homers and 58 runs batted in after undergoing a pair of offseason surgeries on his elbow. And Bavasi said he feels Guillen — on pace for 21 homers and 100 RBI — is capable of producing even better numbers.

"I know he's got another gear," Bavasi said. "He knows he has another gear. And I know that because he told me and I believe him. He's just got to get there.

"And I told him, 'Hey, can you get there soon?' " Bavasi added with a laugh.

Vidro tries No. 5

Jose Vidro was a bit startled when he walked in the clubhouse, glanced at the lineup card and saw something he'd never seen before. His name was written into the No. 5 spot in the order, a place he'd never before hit.

But that's what being the hottest hitter on a slumping team gets you these days. Mariners manager McLaren was looking to mix up the order a bit after his team had scored four runs or less in nine of 13 games since the All-Star Break.

Vidro entered Tuesday batting 20 for 28 (.418) with eight RBI since the break. Adrian Beltre took his usual No. 2 spot in the order. Vidro was 0 for 4, but Beltre was 3 for 5 with four RBI.

Notes

• Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima continued a terrible batting slump, grounding into a double play, popping out with two on and nearly hitting into another double play his third time up. He lined out to center field for the game's final out.

Johjima entered the night without a multi-hit game since June 20, going 15 for 84 (.179) over that stretch.

• Raul Ibanez was 3 for 23 (.130) on the trip before connecting for a one-out double to center in the seventh inning. Ibanez brought home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning with another double, his third in two games.

• A report in the Palm Beach Post stated that the Mariners sent a scout to see Marlins starter Dontrelle Willis pitch Monday night. The Mariners have been rumored to be after the left-handed starter, among other arms.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com.

Read his daily blog at www.seattletimes.com/Mariners

For the record

Streak: L6

Home: 31-18

Road: 23-27

vs. AL West: 15-15

vs. L.A.: 2-7

vs. Oakland: 7-2

vs. Texas: 6-6

vs. AL East: 18-10

vs. AL Cent.: 12-11

vs. NL: 9-9

vs. LHP: 18-8

vs. RHP: 36-37

Day: 15-15

Night: 39-20

One-run: 16-16

Extra innings: 3-1