Ichiro helps Mariners get started in 9-3 victory over Padres

The Mariners polished off another of baseball's worst teams Thursday afternoon behind a leadoff home run from their best hitter, Ichiro; a game-breaking double from one of their most frustrated hitters, Rob Johnson; and the first win in two months from their hardest-luck starter, Jarrod Washburn.

The Mariners left Safeco Field with a 9-3 victory over San Diego that finished a 5-1 homestand against teams in baseball's basement — the Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. But where the Mariners (37-35) are headed could be largely determined by the next nine games, all on the road against three of the best teams in baseball.

"We'll see how we stack up," manager Don Wakamatsu said.

On a 10-day, nine-game trip, the Mariners will play:

• The Los Angeles Dodgers, the top team in baseball;

• The New York Yankees, who own the fourth-best record;

• The Boston Red Sox, the American League's best team.

By the time they leave Boston on July 5, the Mariners — two games above .500 and in the AL West race again — should return with a better view of where they fit into baseball's postseason picture, and whether the core of this team, which has won seven of its past eight series, could remain together through September.

"Hopefully, we'll play good ball, and it will put us in position around the All-Star break to be buyers, not sellers," said Mike Sweeney, who had his first four-hit game in almost two years Thursday. "As of late, we're playing great baseball. If we go out and play like we did today, I'll take our chances against anyone."

Even a trip close to .500 could be considered a success, closer David Aardsma said. As a member of the Red Sox last season, he saw the difference it can make when a team knows it is gearing for a push toward the playoffs.

"That's a huge difference," Aardsma said. "I wasn't here last year, but I got to watch it from the other side, and it means a lot to be sitting there and wanting players ... instead of going, 'He's probably gone, and he's probably gone.' "

That difference could be especially important to several Mariners who could end up on the trade block, including third baseman Adrian Beltre, starter Erik Bedard, and Thursday's starter, Washburn, who finally earned his first win since April 21.

"That's a long time," Washburn said.

In the 10 starts since, Washburn had a 3.75 ERA with six quality starts, and yet he had been 0-5 with five no-decisions. But on Thursday, the Mariners backed him up with four early runs.

Ichiro led off the first with his 29th career leadoff home run. Then, with two outs and the bases loaded, Johnson stepped to the plate. Johnson, whose hands are callused from all his work in the batting cages to change his stance, delivered a double to left-center that brought home three runs and gave Washburn a 4-0 lead.

"As soon as he got that hit, I said to myself, 'Game over,' " Washburn said.

Washburn didn't allow a run until Chase Headley's two-run home run with two outs in the sixth; by then the Mariners had a 6-0 lead after a 428-foot home run by Wladimir Balentien. Washburn allowed just six hits in six innings and struck out six Padres, including first baseman Kyle Blanks to finish the sixth inning. Reliever Mark Lowe preserved the win in the seventh by escaping a bases-loaded jam.

Since May 20, the Mariners lead baseball with a 2.79 ERA, and Thursday marked the 22nd time in that stretch they have allowed three or fewer runs. That fact, despite their injuries, their league-worst run total and the titans of baseball ahead of them, has the Mariners not sweating the next three destinations on their itinerary.

"As long as we continue to pitch," Wakamatsu said, "we'll be fine."

Betancourt on 15-day DL

Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who entered the clubhouse on crutches, should miss at least 15 days, Wakamatsu said the Mariners had performed an MRI to understand the severity of the injury. This, Wakamatsu said, is not the same hamstring injury Betancourt suffered in spring training.

Betancourt's move to the disabled list made room for second baseman Jose Lopez, who returned Thursday from the bereavement list.

Notes

• The Mariners gave Ken Griffey Jr. the day off to rest his sore knee, and he should return today or Saturday.

• Catcher Kenji Johjima will be activated and will start today against the Dodgers.

• Erik Bedard will throw side sessions today and Saturday. The target date for his return is July 4 in Boston.

Tom Wyrwich: 206-515-5653 or twyrwich@seattletimes.com