As first noted by "Lonnie of MC" (the majordomo of MarinersCentral.com), James Paxton (Talk40 #3) was scratched from his scheduled Tacoma start due to what was later reported to be a "minor knee problem."

If you've been following at home, Paxton tends to have much worse command when the knee is an issue, and Gordon and others have made a strong case that he needs a mechanical "fix" that would both avoid the injury issues and potentially even out some of the inconsistency.

Burrow a bit into the Shout Box for more of the Lonnie-Gordon dialogue.

AAA -- Colorado Springs 10, Tacoma 8  -- Box

All of which meant that Jonathan Arias (Watch List) got his second "spot start" -- and his second not-very-successful spot start (he started May 27 also, when Hector Noesi was a late call-up).  His ERA as a starter is now 17.56, which pretty much sums it up.

But, despite playing catch-up all night, the Rainiers got within striking distance. Carlos Peguero (Watch List) got his seventh home run in the 3rd, and journeyman utility-guy Scott Savastano also went deep in the 4th.

You may remember Savastano from his memorable outing last summer when he ended an 18-inning game as the winning pitcher and hit the walk-off home run.

Dustin "Wally Pipp" Ackley stayed in the groove with a double, a single and a walk.  Fellow Seattle refugee Franklin Gutierrez also had two hits including a double.  Guti's rehab stint ends June 3, but he may not join the big club right away.  It will be hard to retain Endy Chavez when Guti is reactivated, so Shannon Drayer says they won't bring back Guti until they know he'll be reliable.

AA -- Huntsville 6, Jackson 3  -- Box

Roenis Elias (26intheMix) gave up six runs, but only four earned, in one of his weaker starts of the year.  The bullpen crew locked it down after that: Tyler Burgoon (26intheMix) (1.2 IP, 4 K), Nick Hill (The Best Story of the Year So Far) (scoreless inning), and Carson Smith (Talk40 #13) (scoreless inning, 2 K).

Smith has been justifying our high ranking with 12.7 K/9 through 16.1 IP, but the Gooner has been outpacing him on that front at 14.4 [!].  Burgoon's problem has been allowing too many baserunners (1.60 WHIP).

The offense couldn't keep up, although Rich Poythress (26intheMix) showed he's still The Mayor, with his second home run since returning to AA.

High-A -- High Desert 6, Modesto 3 -- Box

Since I have a "Blash Splash" graphic, which has gotten plenty of use, I decided I needed one for our man Ji-Man Choi (Talk40 #19):

Our man had his seventh longball of the year, plus two singles, and he now sits at .335/.427/.624.  He has the highest OPS of any regular in the system not named Jabari (Blash and Henry are ahead of him, but both have missed time due to injuries).

Choi's offense helped get the win for Jordan Pries (26intheMix), who's been spotty, but had a good start on Thursday: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.

Dominic Leone (Talk40 #25) (we told you about him) had his eighth straight scoreless relief outing.

Low-A -- Cedar Rapids 5, Clinton 3 [7 innings] -- Box

Low-A -- Cedar Rapids 3, Clinton 2 [7 innings] -- Box

Those of you who may be new to these recaps should be aware that we have a longstanding semi-tongue-in-cheek gripe about professional athletes playing seven-inning games (for double-headers).  Just so you know.

So Game 1 went bad when the Kernels made a late-inning (bottom of the 6th) (see!) rally to overcome a 3-2 Clinton lead.

Dylan "Sharkie" Unsworth (26intheMix) had a solid start, though lacking in strikeouts: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.  Usually reliable Grady Wood (26intheMix) couldn't preserve the lead.

Jabari Henry (26intheMix) had a double and two walks, and the disappointing Taylor Ard (Talk40 #32) got his third homer of the year.

In Game 2, What's Your Vector, Victor?  Right on course!

Victor Sanchez (Talk40 #12): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K.

Not enough for the win, but another good outing for the 18-year-old.  He didn't get much offensive help, although Henry got another double and another walk.

Looking Ahead

Two of our favorite younger pitchers are slated for Friday action.  Tyler Pike (Talk40 #14) for Clinton and Stephen Landazuri (Talk40 #24) for High Desert.