M's hit road after falling 5 games off West lead

Only last Wednesday, the Mariners seemed to be perking. They had just drubbed the Los Angeles Angels the previous night to open a three-game series and were a game out of the American League West lead.

But late Sunday afternoon, their stock seemed as bearish as the gloomy drizzle outside Safeco Field. While the Angels have suddenly showed signs of getting serious about the division, the M's lost to San Diego, 2-1, to fall a season-high five games out of the lead in a pivotal season for the franchise.

The mood of Mike Hargrove, the manager, seemed reflective of the state of affairs. Materializing in the postgame interview room as cameras and media awaited, Hargrove, striding toward a podium, began a 74-second session with, "You guys have got to get the [expletive] out of the way. Thank you."

For him, it was not a day to be expansive, not after the M's had swung futilely against a guy who had made eight career starts, right-hander Justin Germano. Not with the team headed out immediately for a rescheduled, one-night stand in Cleveland, followed by three each in Tampa Bay, Kansas City and the Angels.

The afternoon brought another chapter of the return of Felix Hernandez, who was promising (nine strikeouts), apparently healthy, and unable to command with consistency. He pitched five innings, after which the M's found themselves down 2-1.

It stayed there until the ninth, when Seattle's frustrations reached full flower. Uber-closer Trevor Hoffman came on for San Diego, the third of three Padres relievers, and he was greeted promptly by singles from Jose Guillen and Ben Broussard, again filling in for Richie Sexson.

That brought up Adrian Beltre. With a 1-1 count, he squared to bunt and took a pitch in the dirt. Squaring again, he fouled one off.

Understand, Beltre doesn't sacrifice often. He's had one since the 2003 season. Nor do the Mariners execute it much. They've got one this season, against eight by opponents.

At 2-2, Beltre got himself out. He swung at a Hoffman fastball up in the strike zone and popped out foul to first, flinging his bat in anger.

With that, the life seemed to drain from Safeco. Yuniesky Betancourt flied to left and Jose Lopez struck out, badly fooled, for Hoffman's major-league-record 493rd save.

"Going into the ninth, a lot of guys had good feelings about it," said catcher Jamie Burke, who had two hits in spelling Kenji Johjima. "That's just the way it's been going."

Asked if he thought about a pinch-hitter after Beltre's popout, Hargrove said he couldn't use Raul Ibanez because of Ibanez's sore back, and pointed out the struggling Sexson was 0 for 7 lifetime against Hoffman.

"I didn't have anybody to pinch-hit," said Hargrove.

Beltre maneuvered in and out of the clubhouse without speaking to reporters.

The loss ended a 4-5 homestand for the M's, one that began with a two-of-three series victory over the Yankees. It also upset the 2006 trend of Seattle domination of the National League in interleague play; the M's were 14-4 last year, and in fact, on the very same weekend in May, throttled the Padres in three straight at Safeco.

Seattle also fell to 19-20 overall, about to mark roughly the quarter pole of the season today in Cleveland.

"With this team we have, there's no reason we shouldn't be over .500," said Burke. "We've got a great 1-through-9 lineup, a great pitching staff, great bullpen.

"It seems like we haven't quite clicked yet. I'll tell you, when we start clicking, and it's gonna happen, it's gonna be fun to watch. I look forward to it. Hopefully, it starts pretty soon."

It has to, if the Angels stay hot. They've won 10 of 12 and outscored the Dodgers 19-4 in a weekend sweep.

At least the M's can console themselves with the belief that Hernandez, their prize 21-year-old, seems on the track back from a forearm strain that kept him out almost a month.

In his five innings, he lived mostly with his curve and two-seam fastball. But he was just erratic enough spotting the ball to allow eight hits and three walks while hitting a batter and throwing two wild pitches.

He threw 103 pitches. In both his post-injury starts, his pitch count has risen quickly, reflecting the rustiness.

"I was struggling with my command," Hernandez said, adding, "It's coming back."

"He didn't pitch as well as he can," said Hargrove. "But he pitched well enough to win."

That didn't happen, so in the last five games, the M's only victory is over a guy who has won 336 times, Greg Maddux. But lately, it's not about irony for the M's, it's mostly agony.

Bud Withers: 206-464-8281 or bwithers@seattletimes.com