Notebook | Mariners faring well against aces

Lost in all the hoopla over the walk-off home run by Richie Sexson on Monday night was the fact the Mariners won a game started by Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana.

That's always a plus considering Santana entered the night with a 7-1 record against the Mariners. Being able to hold their own against some of baseball's better pitchers has been a key to Seattle's success this season.

"It makes you feel good. I think we've got a pretty good track record against No. 1 and 2 starters in the league," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "That's the sign of a good ballclub, to be able to beat the other team's best. It's not easy to beat No. 1 and 2 starters. It was especially big because we had our No. 1 going [Felix Hernandez]."

The Mariners haven't set the world on fire in such games, going 18-25 (.419) in games featuring the top-two starters of AL opponents. They slide to a much worse 19-31 record (.380) when top NL starters are thrown into the equation, but as McLaren mentioned, it's the pitchers in their own league the Mariners fare particularly well against.

The Mariners playing nearly .420 ball in such contests helps them stay ahead of the pack until they can feast on lesser pitchers.

Seattle is 2-0 in games started by Kelvim Escobar of the Los Angeles Angels, 2-1 in contests pitched by Dan Haren of the Oakland A's and 2-2 when Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox faces them. Consequently, they are 0-4 in games started by the Detroit Tigers' duo of Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Verlander, something to keep in mind with that series looming at Comerica Park early next month.

Mariners starter Hernandez, who pitched six strong innings against Santana on Monday — allowing just an earned run and leaving with a 3-1 lead — said he wasn't any more psyched up than usual in facing his fellow Venezuelan.

"He's a great pitcher," he said, "but I'm just trying to get hitters out, no matter who I face."

Slip sliding away

Utilityman Willie Bloomquist made a number of standout defensive plays while filling in for Adrian Beltre at third base in the Monday game. But Bloomquist had one tiny regret about his performance, occurring on a sixth-inning play in which he actually did his job by advancing the runner from second to third base on a groundout.

Bloomquist was racing up the line as Santana ran to the bag to take the throw from first baseman Justin Morneau. It looked like Bloomquist would beat the play out for an infield hit — until he dove into the bag and was called out by an eyelash.

Diving or sliding into first base actually slows a runner down by creating resistance. Bloomquist knows all that and admitted, grudgingly, that he just couldn't help himself.

"I do the same thing every time," he said with a shrug. "Always on the same type of play, too. I don't know why I keep doing it. It's just instinct, but I always come away asking myself, 'Why did you just do that?' "

Contract talks

Contract talks between the Mariners and right fielder Jose Guillen have been put on hold for a few days as the team scrambles to sign No. 1 draft pick Phillipe Aumont. Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said Tuesday night no deal had been reached.

The Mariners have until 9 p.m. today to sign Canadian high-school pitcher Aumont to a deal or he is eligible to re-enter the draft.

Guillen's camp had been set to meet with team officials this week. But the Mariners called it off, preferring to focus their energy on the Aumont talks and deal with Guillen after that.

Scoring first

Seattle had scored first-inning runs in three straight games and five of six before being blanked by Matt Garza and the Twins on Tuesday night. The Mariners are 23-14 when scoring in the first inning and 42-18 when opening the scoring.

For the record

Streak: L1

Home: 38-23

Road: 28-28

vs. AL West: 20-17

vs. L.A.: 4-8

vs. Oakland: 10-3

vs. Texas: 6-6

vs. AL East: 22-12

vs. AL Cent.: 15-12

vs. NL: 9-9

vs. LHP: 23-8

vs. RHP: 43-43

Day: 18-15

Night: 48-36

One-run: 20-17

Extra innings: 4-1

Home attendance

Tuesday's crowd: 33,729

Season total: 1,996,573

Biggest crowd: 46,377 (Aug. 5)

Smallest crowd: 16,555 (May 2)

Average (61 dates): 32,730

2006 average (61 dates): 30,435