"I've been around the game a long time; I haven't seen anyone that fancy,'' Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He was decked out. He had everything. It was great.''

The entire team crammed into the small interview room that Wakamatsu uses to meet the media after games. The session lasted about an hour, with Mike Sweeney helping to mete out the fines. Just another example of the team chemistry this team is trying to build.

"From day one of spring training, we've been trying to maake sure we stay together as a club,'' Wakamatsu said. "Not that I'm a big meeting guy, but interacting even outside the games is important. Sweeney and Griffey and Adrian and Washburn and all those guys have helped bring everyone closer.''

The Mariners are facing the Tigers' young pitching phenom, Rick Porcello, who is just 20 and was their No. 1 pick (27th overall) in 2007 out of Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, N.J. He hasn't pitched since April 9, when he made his major-league debut against Toronto in a 6-2 loss. He worked five innings, giving up nine hits and four runs, walking one with four strikeouts.

The Mariners counter with Carlos Silva, who has had ones stinker and one gem this season. As Geoff pointed out in an earlier post, this is a big start for him.

Wakamatsu said that he hopes with another day off, plus Monday's off-day, Russ Branyan's sore back will heal enough for him to play Tuesday when the Mariners open a series with defending AL champion Tampa Bay. Jose Lopez had no problems with sliding over to first base, the manager said. "We've talked about doing whatever it takes to win ballgames,'' Wakamatsu said. "He's been great."

Lineups

Detroit

Curtis Granderson CFPlacido Polanco 2BMagglio Ordonez RFMiguel Cabrera 1BCarlos Guillen DHBrandon Inge 3BJosh Anderson LFRamon Santiago SSMatt Treanor vC

Rick Porcello RHP

Mariners

Ichiro RFEndy Chavez LFKen Griffey Jr. DHAdrian Beltre 3BJose Lopez 1BYuniesky Betancourt SSJamie Burke CRonny Cedeno 2BFranklin Gutierrez CF

Carlos Silva P

Newstex ID: SE-2543-34245548