REHABBING IRRITABLE BOWELS IN TACOMA >>>

In a season full of struggles so far for the Tacoma Rainiers (10-17), last night's ninth-inning rally and victory at Cheney Stadium was about as sweet as can be - like the first sip of a $2 MGD on Tasty Thursday.

Speaking of Tasty Thursday, what's today? Oh yeah! It's freakin' Thursday! And the Rainiers are at home.

Miller Lite Tasty Terrace here we come ...

Here are some thoughts before the first pitch of tonight's series finale against the Tucson Padres (real original name, fellas).

- Who is this Anthony Rizzo character, manning first base for the Tucson Padres? Sounds connected, if you catch our drift. Like someone you don't want to mess with. And dude's definitely packing some firepower - he went yard in the top of the ninth last night, driving in two runs. Rainiers announcer Mike Curto reports he's been routinely lighting it up in batting practice as well. So far this season Anthony Rizzo, middle name Vincent, has nine home runs, a .402 average, and dimples that just wont stop. Too bad he also gave up the error that put the Rainiers ahead for good last night in the bottom of the ninth. Look for Rizzo to seek revenge for the Padres tonight. And if Rhubarb disappears, check Rizzo's trunk.

- Dustin Ackley hit a his first career grand slam with the Rainiers last night, which at the time put the team up 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Excuse me while I daydream about the eventual major league combo that will be first baseman Justin Smoak and Ackley at second (never mind the fact Ackley is still only hitting .214 on the year in Tacoma). It's hard to tell via Curto and 850 AM radio whether Ackley wears one of those Justin-Smoak necklaces yet, but it's probably coming.

- I saw a member of the Cheney Stadium ground's crew at Home Depot on Center Street last weekend.

- Mariners centerfielder Franklin Gutierrez will continue his rehab stint in Tacoma tonight, reportedly scheduled to play about seven innings in center field. Gutierrez, of course, has been unable to go for the M's so far this season because of mysterious stomach troubles that were only recently diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome. Luckily for Gutierrez, he'll be on the field tonight and not in the Tasty Terrace ... $2 beers are no way to rehab irritable bowels.