Jamie Moyer

SEATTLE - It was eight weeks ago that the Orioles were here last, leaving this Pacific Northwest city with Rafael Palmeiro's place in history and the team's spot in the standings seemingly secure. Palmeiro had his 3,000th hit and the Orioles were just one game behind the Boston Red Sox for first place in American League East after a four-game split with the Seattle Mariners at the time. Just who - Palmeiro or the team he plays for - has taken a bigger fall? Without Palmeiro, who is at home in Texas rehabbing injuries and trying to keep from becoming any more of a distraction after his steroid suspension, the Orioles lost for the 15th time in 20 games last night, falling, 3-2, to the Mariners before 27,429 at Safeco Field, and watching the potential game-tying run get thrown out at the plate in the eighth inning.

Day Time TV Starters Tonight 10:05 54 Erik Bedard (6-6, 3.76) vs. Jamie Moyer (11-6, 4.27) Tomorrow 9:05 54 Rodrigo Lopez (13-9, 4.97) vs. Jeff Harris (2-2, 3.52) Sunday 4:05 54 Bruce Chen (11-9, 3.73) vs. Felix Hernandez (3-2, 1.59) Radio: All games on 1090 AM Mariners update In last place in the American League West, Seattle was on the verge of entering this series against the Orioles coming off a three-game road sweep of the Oakland Athletics before its bullpen experienced a meltdown Wednesday.

BATTING LINE OF THE DAY Austin Kearns, Reds RF AB R H RBI HR 5 1 3 3 1 PITCHING LINE OF THE DAY Dontrelle Willis, Marlins IP H R BB SO 8 1/3 7 2 1 4 WHO'S HOT Jamie Moyer of the Mariners has allowed only 18 homers in 172 1/3 innings this season, down from a major league-high 44 last year. WHO'S NOT The Royals, who have lost seven of eight and 27 of 32, reached 90 losses for the fourth time in five seasons.